The Purim Lottery

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The Purim Lottery: The Holiday of Purim

The festival of Purim is named after the lots that the wicked Haman casted to determine the “best” date to carry out his evil scheme. In the end, however, the date proved to be propitious for the Jews. What is the connection between a lottery and Jewish survival?

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For more information click here to visit Rabbi Raskin's website.

Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin is the official Chabad emissary to downtown Brooklyn, rabbi of Congregation B’nai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights, New York and Dean of Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy. He is the author of the books, “Thank You God for Making Me a Woman", "Letters of Light", "By Divine Design", and "Guardian of Israel", and the co-author of "The Rabbi & The CEO".

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Rabbi Raskin Bklyn hts NY March 27, 2016

Blessings Dear Diane,
Thank you for your blessings. Those who bless
others are blessed first by G-d Himself. Reply

Rabbi Raskin Bklyn hts NY March 27, 2016

Converts Dear Anonymous,
A convert to Judaism is even greater than a born Jew.
As Rambam states when you love him you get not one
But two mitzvahs
See my video on love the convert. Reply

Diane Flushing March 25, 2016

Thank you, Rabbi Raskin! Rabbi Raskin! Our L-rd puts the perfect words in the perfect order and tone and with the perfect pauses and blend or lightness and strictness so that they enter and reach this one effectively each and every time without exception. Could it be that there are particular Rabbis who speak to particular students? I hereby promise myself to not come just once a week, but every single day and hear something you have designed to further our understanding of Torah and our responsibilities to G-d, each other and ourselves. May G-d continue, (and immediately increase in a way which is comfortable for you to receive and absorb), His blessings upon you and everyone you love. Reply

Lev Canada March 6, 2015

A question Shalom,
Thanks for the interesting insight.
My question is about the atonement that takes place on purim. There are two customes as for the time to celebrate Purim, 15 of Adar is the date to celebrate it in Jerusalem, Shushan and few other cities and the 14 of Adar everywhere else.
What is the day for the atonement, the 14 or 15 of Adar? And, what happens on the leap year? Reply

Anonymous March 2, 2015

and even converts Who is a convert? Isn't it forbidden to remind a Jew they are a convert and yet you say "even converts". Really? So you pointed out that a convert is not the same as a real Jew. Reply

Yonatan NY March 13, 2014

Thank you Rabbi Raskin for the great lecture on Purim. I'm actually reading it on the fast of Esther. I'm happy to have found this timely lecture. May G-d bless you and yours, and may all have a Happy Prurim. Reply

Leigh Goldfarb Arizona February 19, 2013

:) Thanks man! Reply

Anonymous UK February 19, 2013

Thank you Rabbi Raskin for an enlightening lecture about the feast of Purim. I am not of your faith, but CHABAD has helped me through many difficulties. I follow your web site every week and am always moved by its understanding of human spirituality. Reply

The Holiday of Purim