Megillah Reading by Women
Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky
Megillah Reading by Women - an Halachic analysis by Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky
“Hayom” Finding Meaning in Each and Every Day
Karen Miller-Jackson
Not long ago, after her husband’s untimely death, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg described how she got through the difficult sheloshim period. Among other beautiful thoughts, she wrote, “When I hear How are you today? I realize the person knows that the best I can do right now is to get through each day.”
“She came stealthily and uncovered his feet”—“Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter”
Orit Avnery
What would happen if Ruth and Esther could leave their megillot, two scrolls rooted in different worldviews and different times, and meet on the road between Persia and Bethlehem? Dr. Orit Avnery invites us to imaginary meeting between Ruth and Esther
A Purimidrash
Susan Aranoff
When Esther, the courageous queen, was charged by her uncle/cousin/adoptive father/husband to act to save her people, she first turned to the community for help, asking them to fast to support her efforts to save them... A Purimidrash by Rivka Haut and Susan Aranoff.
Alas, the Rabbi was Silent
Channa Pinchasi
Dr. Channa Pinchasi discusses the a midrash in Eicha Rabbah, relating to relationships between the Raban Gamliel, his students the laymen of that time. What is the message for us today?
Alas! Lonely she sits
Gili Zivan
Why did the Israelite prophets choose to describe the relationship between God and his nation in terms of a relationship between a woman and her husband? Dr. Gili Zivan discusses and thinks whether another description is possible.
Did Chana and Her Seven Sons Exist?
Sharona Margolin-Halickman
Many of us grew up learning the legend of Chana and her seven sons as part of the Chanuka story. We were taught that all seven of Chana’s sons were killed, one by one because they would not bow down to Antiochus’ idol.
Ki Tavo From a Feminist Point of View
Bonna Devora Haberman
In this Midrash Dr. Bonna Devora Haberman presents the story of Ki Tavo from a feminist point of view.
by Dr. Bonna Devora Haberman
Kulanu Misubin? Are Women Obligated To Recline At The Passover Seder?
Sharona Margolin-Halickman
According to the Mishna Brurah, women are obligated in observing all of the mitzvoth of the Passover Seder such as drinking the four cups of wine, reading the Haggada, eating matzah and eating maror(bitter herbs). Are they obligated to recline? Sharona Halickman Discusses
Of Four Daughters - A Feminist Midrash
Einat Ramon (PhD)
We discuss the four sons when sitting around the seder table. Dr. Einat Ramon is presenting a feminist version discussing the four daughters.
Of Four Daughters - A Midrash for Passover
Rabbi Dalia Marx (PhD)
In the Seder night, we discuss the four sons and their questions. Rabbi Dalia Marx and Tamar Duvdevani offer us the feminist version of the Four Daughters.
Re´eh From a Feminist Point of View
Bonna Devora Haberman
Dr. Bonna Devora Haberman tells the story of Re´eh from a feminist point of view.
by Dr. Bonna Devora Haberman
Second Passover
Dina Berman Maykon
The initiative for the Pesach Sheni reform came from the ritually impure and from distant travelers, and not from the LORD.
The Daughters of Ammon and Moav
Karen Miller-Jackson
In parshat Matot God commands bnei Yisrael to wage war against the nation of Midian. Rashi immediately asks the astute question: Why a war of revenge against Midian and not Moav? After all it was Moav who hired Balaam to curse bnei Yisrael, and seduced and provoked bnei Yisrael.
The Shidduch Crisis And Tisha B’Av
Sharona Margolin-Halickman
How is the Mitzvah to marry an orphan connected to the Three Weeks and Tisha B'Av? Sharona Margolin Halickman discusses.
Was Esther A Vegetarian Or A Vegan?
Sharona Margolin-Halickman
Was Ester a vegan or a vegetarian? What was Ester eating in the king's palace? Sharona Halickman wonders.
Why Was Ruth Allowed To Convert?
Sharona Margolin-Halickman
In Parshat Ki Tetze (Dvarim 23:4) We are told “lo yavo amoni umoavi bikhal Hahsem”, “An Ammonite or Moavite should not enter into the congregation of God”. The reason that they are not allowed to convert to Jusaism is given in the next verse, “Because they did not meet you with bread and water when you came out of Egypt”.
