The Megillah of Esther: (Re)Reading a Silly Story for Adults
- Pacific Time Virtual Program
In partnership with Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, San Francisco
We know the story of Purim as a classic narrative of good and evil with a triumphant ending: "Now let's eat!" — but the narrative is worthy of a closer reading. The biblical book is a bawdy, sometimes slap-stick, sometimes serious work of fiction which conceals and reveals its purpose and meanings while giving us insights into the fantasies and reality of the Jewish world of its creators. We will read and discuss selections from the Biblical text along with classical and contemporary rabbinic commentaries.
Who this is for: Anyone curious about the Book of Esther, Purim, or the literary and cultural layers of Biblical texts, and interested in exploring classical and contemporary interpretations.
What you'll leave with: A deeper understanding of Purim’s story, insights from Biblical and rabbinic texts, and a richer appreciation of the humor, complexity, and purpose embedded in the narrative.
