One of the central messages of Purim is the power of unity. In fact, Taanit Esther in particular can be seen as specifically representing a message of unity despite physical isolation. (See here, by TorahTutors Director Sarah Rudolph, for more.) That’s an idea that certainly resonates extra deeply in these days of quarantines and lockdowns…
A preteen TorahTutors student learned a deeply relatable midrash about Mordechai. When Mordechai refused to bow to Haman, the king’s servants badgered him daily over it, yet he remained steadfast: “When they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them…” (Esther 3:4). The midrash (Esther Rabbah 7:7) connects this account…
Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah (10:5) notes that Yechezkel speaks of false prophets who would profane God, telling lies for the sake of “handfuls of barley and crumbs of bread” (13:19), while a true prophet would never do such a thing. “It is not the way of prophets of God to accept payment for their prophecy.” …
The Palestinian Talmud (Berachot 2:8) names Yitro and Rachav as examples of tzaddikei umot ha’olam – righteous people from other nations who become attached in some way to the Jewish people. A TorahTutors student enjoyed comparing and contrasting the accounts of these two individuals. Each brought some benefit to the Jewish people – Rachav saved…