The book of Esther is the biblical book most about diaspora life. How does the book explore this topic, so jarring in biblical history but so central to our own lives as American Jews? What is the relationship between “homeland” and diaspora envisioned? How do the lives of the main characters help build an ideology, and how do their genders contribute to their different existences and different aspects of Jewish life?

The book of Esther is the biblical book most about diaspora life. How does the book explore this topic, so jarring in biblical history but so central to our own lives as American Jews? What is the relationship between “homeland” and diaspora envisioned? How do the lives of the main characters help build an ideology, and how do their genders contribute to their different existences and different aspects of Jewish life?

The book of Esther is the biblical book most about diaspora life. How does the book explore this topic, so jarring in biblical history but so central to our own lives as American Jews? What is the relationship between “homeland” and diaspora envisioned? How do the lives of the main characters help build an ideology, and how do their genders contribute to their different existences and different aspects of Jewish life?

The observance of Purim centers around the Megillah, which becomes part of the canon. Chanuka, by contrast, focuses on the lighting of the candles, a Temple ritual. We will discuss the implications of each.

A central observance of Chanuka is the recitation of Hallel on all eight days; on Purim Hallel is not recited. We will study the significance of this distinction.