Purim

Why We Don’t Say Hallel on Purim Rav Hutner reveals that Purim’s “missing” Hallel isn’t missing at all, it’s hidden within the Megillah itself. This limmud explores how the form of our praise must match the essence of the miracle: revealed miracles require revealed Hallel, but hidden miracles demand הלל גנוז Hallel concealed within the […]

This limmud explores the spiritual danger of being singled out and the remedy the Torah provides. Through an experiential counting ritual, students discover how distinction can lead to forgetting our Source and to separation from the community. The Tiferet Yosef’s teaching on the half-shekel offers a practical tool: embracing incompleteness as a way to stay […]

We’ll explore those areas in our lives where we find happiness and those areas in our lives where we want to find happiness. Through a Rebbe Nachman mashal of Breslov we explore what may be holding us back from finding happiness.

This limmud teaches that the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh gives the Jewish people ownership of their time after slavery, challenging us to use our time intentionally and make it meaningful and holy.

פורים This Limmud session uses the story of Haman’s decree in the Megilla to explore the roots of antisemitism, examining ancient accusations against the Jewish people and inviting us to  reflect on our Jewish identity and experiences of hatred, then and now.

פורים This limmud helps us internalize the concept of “Venahafoch Hu” through a close analysis of the megilla and our own life experiences.

This year at Manhattan Day School embarked on a journey, beginning at Yeshivat Mekor Chaim just outside of Neve Daniel. Our goal at the time was to bring the framework and culture of Lifnai v’Lifnim to our school. At this juncture, six months into the journey, I’m trying to capture just exactly what has been […]

Editors Note: This article has been translated and adapted from an original piece written for Israeli teachers Purim expresses a deep and renewed connection between us and Hashem. On Purim, we transitioned from a relationship of coercion—”He held the mountain over them like a dome”—to a relationship of love—”They reaffirmed their acceptance in the days of […]

Far from being a “cute tradition,” mishloach manot represent a (maybe the) fundamental theme of Purim–Achdut (unity) is the Jewish people’s greatest strength; disunity is our greatest weakness. R. Shlomo Alkabetz in his Manot Halevi will change the way we experience mishloach manot forever!

The idea of a MItzvah to remember an event, particularly an event we we not physically present for, speaks to our central identity as Jews. Each of us looks at the world through the lens of our memories. How can we tap into those, and if we were to choose what to remember, what would say are the essential memories for our identity?

Mieliech Cohen’s song Mi Yodea helps us ask ourselves the same question that Mordechai asked Ester–Who knows? Maybe whatever you are going through now is the reason you are here? What if it is?

What does Parshat Zachor ask us to remember? What memories are important us?

What enables times of pain or sorrow to "flip" to times of joy?

Together on Purim. Through the wild story of Raba and Rabbi Zeira’s Purim seudah we will explore the times when we’ve helped others and when others have helped us.

How can we grow closer with one another? Mishloach Manot provides us with a powerful answer!

Ester and Mordechai are shining models of individuals who give of themselves for the sake of Am Yisrael. How can we learn and be inspired by their examples?