EVENTS IN MEGILLAT ESTHER
How long did the beauty pageant contestants spend preparing for the competition?
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
D. 12 months
:שִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמֹּ֔ר וְשִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ בַּבְּשָׂמִ֔ים וּבְתַמְרוּקֵ֖י הַנָּשִֽׁים
How were Mordechai and Esther related?
A. Siblings
B. Siblings in law
C. Cousins
D. Aunt/nephew
C. Cousins
What are the earliest and latest times one can read/hear the Megillah on Purim day?
Earliest time is sunrise (7:17am)
In extenuating circumstances one can fulfil the Mitzvah from dawn (5:59am)
Latest time is sunset (7:40pm)
Which day of the week can Purim NOT fall out on?
A. Monday
B. Tuesday
C. Thursday
D. Friday
A. Monday
On which day of the year was Haman hanged?
A. Purim
B. Shushan Purim
C. 1st day of Pesach
D. 2nd day of Pesach
D. 2nd day of Pesach.
The Shulchan Aruch writes that on the 2nd day of Pesach one should add something extra to the Yom Tov meal in honour of the downfall of Haman.
Which of the following people is NOT a character in the Megillah?
A. שעשגז
B. הגא
C. אספתא
D. חשבדנה
D. חשבדנה
Should more money be spent on משלוח מנות or מתנות לאביונים?
More money should be spent on מתנות לאביונים because they need it more. Also Purim is a month before Pesach and many people need assistance in purchasing Pesach items.
What is the Hebrew word for 'Hamantashen'?
A. רגלי המן
B. ידי המן
C. אזני המן
D. עיני המן
C. אזני המן
Literally 'Haman's ears'
How many times is Haman's name mentioned in the Megillah?
A. 50
B. 54
C. 58
D. 62
B. 54
That's a lot of noise!!
Which wicked king was the great grandfather of Vashti?
Nevuchadnezzar, King of Babylon who destroyed the first Bet Hamikdash.
Why do we dress on Purim? Give at least 2 answers.
1. There was a major transformation in the Purim story- ונהפוך הוא so we transform ourselves by wearing a costume.
2. Hashem appeared to be hidden from the story and His name is not mentioned, so we hide ourselves in a costume (Bnei Yissaschar)
3. To minimise embarrassment of those collecting Tzedaka (Minhagei Kol Yaakov).
4. To commemorate Mordechai dressing up in royal clothes (Shalmei Todah).
5. Esther hid her Jewish identity so we hide ourselves in a mask or costume.
6. Hashem is 'hidden' from the story of Purim by not being mentioned and the miracles were hidden.
True or False: The next time Purim will fall out on Friday is the year 5805 / 2045.
TRUE! Purim will be on Friday this year but then there will be a 20-year hiatus until Purim is on Friday again.
Why were the Jewish people still in danger of annihilation after Haman was hanged?
Because a decree that is written in the name of the king and signed with the royal signet ring cannot be rescinded.
:כִּֽי־כְתָ֞ב אֲשֶׁר־נִכְתָּ֣ב בְּשֵׁם־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְנַחְתּ֛וֹם בְּטַבַּ֥עַת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֵ֥ין לְהָשִֽׁיב
The name Mordechai is actually derived from the Persian name Marduk. what was Mordechai's actual Hebrew name?
A. פתחיה
B. עשהאל
C. זכריה
D. ממוכן
A. פתחיה Petachya
If someone already heard the Megillah reads it for someone else, who says the Berachot?
One of the people listening recites the Berachot. If they do not know how to say the Berachot then the reader says the Berachot, or the reader can help the listeners say them word by word.
In what year did the miracle of Purim take place? (You can state the Hebrew or English year)
3405
or 356 BCE
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How was Esther permitted to be married to Achashverosh?
Esther was passive in this act, she didn't do it willingly. This is why she was so hesitant to approach the king without being asked.
The 'Noda BiYehuda explains that here Esther was permitted to be married to Achashverosh since she was effectively saving the entire nation.
Mordechai encouraged Esther to approach the king for this reason.
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וגם חרבונה זכור לטוב
What good thing is Charvona remembered for?
A. He delivered the message to the king that Bigtan and Teresh were plotting to kill him
B. He suggested that Haman be hanged on the same gallows he prepared for Mordechai
C. He ensured that Esther would become the queen
D. He served the wine at Queen Esther's feasts
B. He suggested that Haman be hanged on the same gallows he prepared for Mordechai
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר חַ֠רְבוֹנָ֠ה אֶחָ֨ד מִן־הַסָּרִיסִ֜ים לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ גַּ֣ם הִנֵּה־הָעֵ֣ץ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֪ה הָמָ֟ן לְֽמׇרְדֳּכַ֞י אֲשֶׁ֧ר דִּבֶּר־ט֣וֹב עַל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עֹמֵד֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הָמָ֔ן גָּבֹ֖הַּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּ֑ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ תְּלֻ֥הוּ עָלָֽיו׃
Why do we not say Hallel on Purim?
1. The miracle occurred outside of Eretz Yisroel
2. The Megillah is itself a form of Hallel
3. אכתי עבדי אחשורוש אנן - Even after being saved, the יהודים were still under the rule of Achashverosh
Yom Kippur is called "Yom Kippurim"- a day like Purim. Why is it that Yom Kippur has a day of feasting followed by a fast day, but Purim has a fast day followed by a day of feasting?
The Chiddushei HaRim explains:
The Yetzer Hara can trick you into thinking that you are not sincere while fasting if you are partying right before or right after. The lesson is that Hashem gives us opportunities for both, and one is not in contradiction to another.
וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְּפָנֵֽינוּ וּמֵאַחֲרֵֽינוּ
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