It\’s easy to understand why getting dressed up, eating lots of candy and hamentaschen, drinking the night away and partaking in a festive meal appeals to many. But it\’s only really in the post-war era that Purim has become a major player in the Jewish calendar.
One is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim until one cannot distinguish between \”cursed is Haman\” and \”blessed is Mordechai\” (Talmud, Megillah 7b).
Given that fulfilling the mitzvah of Purim requires that we hear the reading of Megillat Esther, the Orthodox Union (OU) has come up with a unique way for the deaf and hard of hearing to participate in the mitzvah.
With angry lyrics that court controversy, two multiplatinum albums and a third on the way, his own clothing line, record label, legions of fans and glittering religious jewelry, Subliminal could easily be mistaken for a Jewish P.Diddy.
The death of one infant boy from herpes and the infection of two others has focused attention on an ancient practice that is still used in some ultra-Orthodox communities as they circumcise babies.
\”There are three female historical figures that I have wanted to play: Golda Meir, Indira Ghandi and Margaret Thatcher. And the last two haven\’t been offered to me.\”
It\’s 4 p.m. \”Erev Christmas,\” and 21-year-old Adam Bodenstein is still rushing around his home in the Pico-Robertson area. He has yet to take a shower before Shabbat comes. In four days time, the Modern Orthodox UC Berkley graduate, who grew up in a Conservative household, will board a flight at New York\’s JFK Airport that will take him to his new home — Israel.
But this is no ordinary El Al flight. This is Nefesh B\’Nefesh\’s (NBN) eighth flight (and first-ever winter flight) in three years.
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