Listening to the Megilla with Limited Concentration

It troubles me that I often daydream and/or doze off for a few words during Megilla reading. Do I fulfill the mitzva under those circumstances?

Hearing the Megilla for Those Who Cannot Go to Shul

If one who is not a ba’al koreh cannot make it to shul to hear Megillat Esther, how else can he fulfill the mitzva of hearing it?

Purim Meshulash

Could you please review some of the rules and rationale of the practices of Purim Meshulash (Triple Purim) in Yerushalayim?

Extended Purim Seuda

Paying the Price – A Sign of Weakness or Greatness?

The Purim story, which has such an ominous section to it, certainly seems to end up superbly. The hodgepodge Jewish community, spread throughout the Persian Empire, came out unscathed after the great scare. Their favorite son and daughter became very high in the ranks of the powerful people of the world. But do our heroes really emerge unscathed?

Early Reading of Megillat Esther

I am working on a Megilla reading program to attract families with children (not consistent shul-goers) for Purim evening (the children attend public school in the morning). Due to daylight savings time and our geographic position, tzeit hakochavim will not be until around 8 PM, a time that would discourage families from coming. May we read the Megilla from plag hamincha (11/4 hours before sunset)?

Ranking Mishloach Manot Stringencies

The Hidden Power in the Purim Story