computer screen that says selected teachings

PURIM – LINKS TO VALUABLE RESOURCES

LINKS TO VALUABLE RESOURCES ​


INTRODUCTION TO PURIM

Purim: Around the Jewish Year

Author: Hidabroot - Torah & Judaism Link to the Resource: HIDABROOT.COM Media Type: Video

PURIM: IN DEPTH

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski on Purim

Author: Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski Link to the Resource: JINSIDER.COM Media Type: Video

Purim & the Month of Adar: Miracles from a Place Beyond, Ayin

Author: Rabbi Moshe Chaim Eade Link to the Resource: HIDABROOT.COM Media Type: Video

Purim

Author: Rabbi Berel Wein Link to the Resource: OUISRAEL.ORG Media Type: Video

Purim 5720 #1: “The Night that Hashem Could Not Sleep”- Say What?!

Author: Rabbi YY Jacobson Link to the Resource: THEYESHIVA.NET Media Type: Video

PURIM INSIGHTS

logo of haravyinonkalazan.com

The Connection between Nazi Germany to Purim

Author: Rabbi Yinon Kalazan Link to the Resource: HARAVYINONKALAZAN.COM Media Type: Video

The Hidden Story of Purim

Author: Rabbi David Fohrman Link to the Resource: JBSTV.ORG Media Type: Video

Purim, Hidden Miracles, & Current Events

Author: Rav Asher Weiss Link to the Resource: MINCHASASHER.COM Media Type: Video

HEBREW

Purim - Ahasuerus ruled the whole world!

Author: Rabbi Yosef Tz. Ben Porat Link to the Resource: HYBP.CO.IL Media Type: Video

Purim from the Hereafter

Author: Rabbi Mordechai David Neugerschel Link to the Resource: MNOY.CO.IL Media Type: Video
Havdala

Havdala is the ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat and the transition back to the regular week. It includes blessings over wine, spices, and fire.

Havdala consists of the following stages: 

    1. Verses  
      • Although not required, verses that express our hope for a positive week are customarily recited at the beginning of Havdala.
      • Ashkenazim recite a series of verses beginning with “Hinei Kel Yeshu’ati” (Yeshayahu 12:2) available here, while Sephardim recite a series of verses beginning with “Rishon Letzion” (Yeshayahu 41:27) available here .
  • Wine
    • Blessing: Borei pri hagafen is recited on the cup of wine.
    • Practical Guidelines:
      • Ideally, use kosher wine or grape juice.
      • If unavailable, significant beverages like beer or coffee may be used. 
      • According to some opinions, one may also use other significant beverages if one prefers them over wine. 
  1. Spices (besamim)
    • Blessing: A blessing is recited on fragrant spices. 
      • Ashkenazim: The general blessing of Borei minei besamim (Who creates types of spices) is recited.
      • Sephardim: Specific blessings are recited, such as Borei atzei besamim (Who creates fragrant branches) or Borei isvei besamim (Who creates fragrant herbs).
    • Practical Guidelines:
      • One should not use spices designed only to remove a foul odor (such as bathroom freshener). 
      • If the one reciting havdala cannot smell, another individual recites the blessing during havdala (Ashkenazim) or after havdala (Sephardim).
  2. Candle
    • Blessing: Borei me’orei ha’esh is recited on the flame.
    • Practical Guidelines:
      • Preferably, use a special havdala candle with multiple wicks.
      • After the blessing, view one’s fingernails by the light to appreciate the flame. Some halakhic authorities hold that one does this before reciting the blessing.
  3. Blessing of Separation and Drinking the Wine
    • Blessing: The blessing of “Hamavdil” is recited, which marks the distinction between “holy” (i.e., Shabbat) and “mundane” (i.e., the weekdays), followed by drinking the cup of wine. 
    • Practical Guidelines:
      • Everyone should listen to the blessing without interruption, as missing part of this blessing invalidates the mitzva.
      • The leader drinks the wine; others may assist if necessary.

The leader must drink at least a cheekful (approximately 44 cc). Ideally, a full revi’it (86 cc) is consumed, requiring an after-blessing.

  1. Symbolic Meaning
    • Purpose: Havdala, which means separation, transitions from Shabbat’s sanctity to weekday activity. The blessing’s text, “He separates between holy and mundane, between light and dark…between the seventh day and the six days of work,” reinforces that holiness is preserved through separation. 
    • Symbolism:
      • Smelling spices enables the soul to cope with losing the additional soul (neshama yeteira), which joins a person on Shabbat. 
      • Seeing the flame commemorates the creation of fire on Saturday night by Adam in the Garden of Eden. 
      • Smelling spices and seeing the flame also awaken the senses, helping to carry Shabbat’s spiritual elevation into the week.
  2. Mystical Insights 
    • Neshama Yeteira: In addition to the connection between the departure of the additional soul and smelling the spices, the entire havdala ceremony also helps ease the loss of the additional soul.
    • Symbolism of Ritual Objects:
      • Candle: Reflects divine light.
      • Wine: Represents divine abundance.

Separation and Integration: Light and darkness represent distinct realms, as do sacred and mundane and Shabbat and the rest of the week. However, light illuminates the darkness, the holy illuminates the mundane, and Shabbat illuminates the rest of the week. Havdala demonstrates that these different realms must remain distinct but that Shabbat can impact the rest of the week, bridging sanctity with the material world.