R Yitzchak Shifman Torah Classes

Conditions necessary to classify as big city and not village (and cannot read earlier), events that are pushed to following week (unlike Megilla reading)

Mordechai relates the immediacy of the need for Esther to plea with the king on behalf of the Jews and the Jews of Shushan begin to fast for 3 days in support of this dangerous mission to resolve the decree against them

Gemara Berachot 55a, Midrash Tanchuma on Parshat Vayakhel 2, Nefesh HaChaim 4:5- discussion identifying the "chachmei lev" and how to receive chochma from Hashem

Haman is elevated and conflict with Mordechai begins, Haman plans destruction of Jews and Achashveirosh signs off and sends out letters

Explanation of events and order of Parshiyot based on the debate between Rashi and Ramban

Discussion of the ways to create "pirsumei nissa" in order to say beracha on Megilla reading, distinctions between "zmana"/not, including women, etc.

King decrees process to choose new queen and Esther is chosen but doesn't reveal her backstory, Mordechai foils assassination attempt on King

Debate if need to seek minyan when reading Megilla in its time vs not

Debate if Mishkan was an outcome of the sin of the eigel hazahav or not

When mitzvot are done if Purim falls on Shabbat

Persian King Achashveirosh makes parties flaunting his fabulous wealth, Queen Vashti is killed at the advice of the advisor Memuchan

The mitzva of "prika" ( Shemot 23:5) includes the idea of helping those that help themselves, and this has application in giving charity in contrast to helping someone repent.

Kli Yakar quotes three approaches in explaining the prohibition

Ohr HaChaim teaches three necessary elements to properly absorb the Torah

Shemot Rabba (Mishpatim) 31:5- future punishment for lenders with interest and the reality of poor people.

Ohr HaChaim explains the three ingredients required to recieve and absorb the Torah

The Torah compares people and trees and this can be explained on various levels, lessons fitting for Tu BiShvat

The new year for trees is a curious phenomena and the complaints of Zevulun is explained based on a reference in Shir HaShirim

The concept of "chamushim" highlights the step needed to recieve protection from Hashem, and understanding the "she'eino yodeya li'shol" is the method of creating this unity

Reason Mishna changes the variable from Reisha to Seifa and discussion of halacha when the 14th falls on Friday

The idea of leaving Egypt "chamushim" highlights that we are protected when we are united, and one way to accomplish this is to understand the son who "does not know to ask"

Shemot Rabba (Va'era) 7:4- through the reward of the righteous and the suffering and recognition of the wicked Hashem is ultimately honored

While one source would imply that the underlying cause for the suffrage in Egypt was due to a misdeed of Avraham, another would imply it was due the lacking in his descendants. Which one was it?

The need for the Egyptian suffering and it's resolution are a powerful lesson in the necessity of Jewish unity.

Shemot Rabba (Shemot) 1:28- Backstory to Moshe killing the Mitzri and two Jews fighting