Last Purim, I was home for most of the day with two of my sisters. My parents were away and we went to join them later in the day for the seudah. But for the better part of the day, it was just us. I’ve written before about the unique joy of a grown-up Purim. Last Purim was an extra-special …
This week we’re going to hear the megillah. I always enjoy following the drama of the Purim story. The climax, of course, is when Mordechai tells Queen Esther to go speak to the king about Haman’s evil plot. As we know, Queen Esther is hesitant, telling Mordechai that anyone who goes to the king uninvited is put to death. Instead …
Happy Rosh Chodesh Adar! Mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha – so let’s discuss simcha. This is a topic that comes up rather often on the blog, as it’s something that can be a struggle for anyone going through a nisayon (and not just shidduchim, obviously!). Recently, two married friends told me, separately, that the number one best thing I …
I wanted to respond to an essay that appeared in the Purim edition of the Binah. (Okay, I really started this blog to respond to “singlehood” articles printed in frum publications. Sort of kidding, sort of not.) The essay (“Making The Choice”) by Devorah Schick is written from the perspective of an older sister to Tehila, who is single …
Over the past six or seven years, as my family grew up, Purim in my house changed. It became quieter, more orderly and peaceful. There’s no preschool megillah of Esky Cook illustrations strung across the dining room doorway, no smiling Queen Esther and scowling Haman gazing at the proceedings. (Apparently this really dates us.) There are no cap-guns and pop-snappers …
This time of year, I always love to fantasize about how I’ll dress up my baby or toddler for Purim. These are a few costumes that melt my heart… Bunny rabbit (above) 2. Peacock 3. Madeline (here is a similar dress) 4. Turtle 5. Flapper I hope these made you …
I just listened to an interesting shiur about Parshas Shekalim by Mrs. Shira Smiles (free registration on Naaleh required for access to the entire shiur). I really enjoy Mrs. Smiles’s shiurim. Her style is a combination of intellectual and inspirational; she usually teaches a deeper understanding of the mitzvos with lots of textual sources (source sheets available in the Naaleh sidebar). Here …
