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Why does the Talmud (תלמוד) say Haman accomplished what forty-eight prophets could not? A Midrash reveals that the greatest gift of Purim (פורים) was not victory but the 'great mourning' that transformed Jewish consciousness of time. When facing annihilation, each day became more precious - the opposite of Amalek's philosophy that treats tomorrow as disconnected from today, allowing endless deferral of responsibility.
This shiur delves into profound questions about Purim (פורים) and the concept of time in Jewish thought, beginning with the puzzling Talmudic requirement to drink on Purim until one cannot distinguish between cursing Haman and blessing Mordechai. The speaker questions why this level of intoxication is necessary and what deeper meaning lies behind cursing someone already destroyed. The discussion shifts to analyzing the battle with Amalek, focusing on Moshe's instruction to Yehoshua to fight 'tomorrow' when the war was happening 'today.' The Talmud (תלמוד) presents this as one of five ambiguous verses in the Torah (תורה), where 'tomorrow' could refer either to the battle or to Moshe's prayer on the mountain. A key Midrash reveals that all downfalls of Amalek are connected to the concept of 'tomorrow,' as seen in Esther's delay in revealing Haman's plot.
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Why doesn't Chanukah appear in the Mishna? The shiur develops a fundamental yesod: Chanukah represents the victory of Gemara—the human ability to use godly intellect (ner Hashem nishmas adam) to develop Torah SheBaal Peh. The Menorah symbolizes the soul's illumination through this koach, while the Mizbeach represents the body's recreation—together forming the complete tikkun of man.
Why does Megillas Esther interrupt Torah study for a message the world deemed ridiculous—that every man should rule his home? The shiur develops the yesod that the moon's willingness to "make itself small" doesn't diminish it but creates unified sovereignty. A woman who enables her husband to lead isn't relegated to second class—she is the king-maker, comfortable creating oneness where a man cannot.
Megillas Esther, Parshas Beshalach - Battle with Amalek
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