Talking Talmud

More on the personalities of the Megillah. Starting with Haman and Mordechai and an extensive expansion on how Haman must do the king's will and honor Mordechai. Also, connecting the story of Yosef and Binyamin to that of Esther, beginning with the clothing.

On the last of the prophets, and the way the Gemara affiliates Mordechai with Malakhi. Which leads to an investigation of the big names of the day and their chronologies, specifically during this era of Shivat Zion. Again, with the conservation of biblical personalities. Also, the 4 exceptionally beautiful (apparently) women. What really links these 4? Plus, when Esther braves an audience with Ahashverosh, and she's supported by angels, and he then extends his scepter to her, in parallel to the midrash about the daughter of Pharaoh, and her reaching for the baby Moshe. Also, why doesn't Esther get the king alone? Why does she need Haman to be present? (A lot of opinions, as Chazal chime in)

The list of the 7 prophetesses, and the sources that prove them to be such: Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Avigayil, Chana, Huldah, Esther. With lots of little tidbits about what it means to be a prophet, and nuggets if information about the women. Including one amora's apparent ambivalence with at least a couple of these prophetesses.

On Mordechai... and his generation. On Esther... and why she is called both Esther and Hadassah. And what was her relationship with Mordechai? Also, the modesty of Rachel and her generosity with regard to her sister Leah, and the inheritance of that same trait. Plus, the justification of Yaakov's trickery before Lavan. And how that led to the modesty of Esther.

More explication of Megillat Esther, from the description of the king's feast, his guests from Persia and Medea (or the reverse, as the case may be). Plus, the decree against the Jews. Also, extensive discussion on the Vashti story, and why Ahashverosh was so angry with her. Plus, the sources for all the midrashim about how the beautiful Vashti became ugly.

Explicating the name "Ahashverosh," and connecting its owner to Nebuchadnezzar. Plus, the 127 provinces of his realm. Also, how do we calculate the 70 years of the Babylonian Exile? When is the starting point, and when did it end? Chronologies and kings' genealogies work it out.

More distinctions between "this" and "that," in this case, Shiloh vs. Jerusalem. Plus, exegesis of the Megillah text, beginning with, "It was in the days of Ahashverosh," and how much meaning can be ascribed to the wording of "vayehi."

On the Torah scrolls themselves - beginning with the scribal arts, and what it takes to make sure that writing is a holy book. Plus, the Targum. Also, the Gemara's presentation of the story of how the Torah was translated into Greek. Plus, 2 more mishnayot of "ein bein" distinctions.

5 mishnayot, comparing and contrasting and delineating... For a variety of unexpected topics, including oaths, bodily fluids, and scribal requirements for a Sefer Torah and more.

Establishing Purim as a holiday for the generations, and Esther as a book to be read. Plus, including the Book of Esther in the canon of Tanakh. Also, how to give matanot la-evyonim and mishloach manot. And some narrative to flesh out the expected generosity in the above. Also, the story of Rabbah and Rabbi Zeira's excess on Purim that lead to a miracle and a refusal to rely on a miracle thereafter (perhaps getting drunk on Purim isn't such a good plan - or obligation). Also, a couple of mishnayot, distinguishing between key days, including Shabbat and Yom Kippur, and the punishments thereof. [Note: Some wonky audio at the beginning, but it (mostly) clears pretty quickly]