Days of Deliverance: Essays on Purim and Hanukkah

absurd according action Ahasuerus Almighty Amram Gaon answer appear asked awareness beautiful become begins belong called candles celebrate completely concerned course destiny destroy Divine Egypt enemies entered Esther everything executed existence experience express fact fear feast feeling Festivals Greeks Hallel Haman hand Hanukkah happened Hasmoneans heart Hilkhot holiday holy human idea individual Israel Jacob Jewish Jews Joseph Judaism king kingdom land laws light live Lord Maimonides matter means Megillah miracle mitzvot moral Mordecai Moses nature never night observe pass performance Persian person physical political pray prayer present Purim queen question Rabbi reason recite redemption responsible role rule Sabbath Sages Second society speak spiritual story strange tell Temple term things tion Torah understand universal unto Vashti verse victory vulnerability wanted whole woman