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Why does the text say Jews 'fulfilled and accepted' Purim (פורים) in that unusual order? The analysis reveals that Purim was uniquely designed as a family-centered celebration, unlike Torah (תורה) holidays that mandate including strangers and the poor. The original work prohibition was replaced with matanos l'evyonim, creating a hybrid celebration modeled on Korban Pesach (פסח) rather than standard Yom Tov laws.
This shiur continues Rabbi Zweig's analysis of Megillas Esther, focusing on chapter 9, verse 27. The lecture begins with a textual difficulty in the phrase 'kimu v'kiblu ha-Yehudim' - the unusual order of fulfilling (kimu) before accepting (kiblu), when logically one should accept before fulfilling. Rabbi Zweig references Chazal's interpretation that 'kimu mah she-kiblu k'var' - they fulfilled what they had already accepted, but notes this still doesn't resolve the awkward textual presentation. A significant portion of the shiur examines why Jews are called 'Yehudim' throughout Megillas Esther rather than 'Bnei Yisrael' as in the Torah (תורה). Rabbi Zweig cites the Gemara (גמרא)'s explanation that 'Yehudi' refers to anyone who rejects idolatry (kol ha-koferin ba-avodah zarah), connecting it to the concept of yichud (unity/monotheism). He notes the historical connection to the exile with King Yehoyachin and the protective relationship between the tribes of Yehuda and Binyamin.
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Megillas Esther 9:27
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