Torah Trivia/My Day/Myths and Facts

1. What is the one place in the Torah where g-d is referred to as Hashem?
2. What seasonal pasuk is comprised of five two letter words?
3. What prophet was thrown in a muddy pit?
4. What daf in masechet Shabbos contains Rav Shimon bar Yochai's story? Why is this cool?
5. How many blatt are in masechet Shavuot? Why is this cool?

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I heard Rabbi Abraham Twerski speak in my neighborhood today. I sat in the front row and it took me a minute, as I was waiting for the speech to start, to notice that he was sitting next to me. I asked him to sign Do Unto Others for me and he told me it's a collectors item. He spoke powerfully and to the point. He cited the Slonimer Rebbe as saying that there can only be one primary goal in life. We live in a time when our own pleasure has become the number one goal for many people. This presents a big challenge to folks who try to be G-d fearing. He applied this to many situations in a blunt but not unkind way. I took a lot of notes and hope to type up the talk one day. During the presentation he referenced my little chat with him before the speech - that was maybe my favorite part.

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Purim Myths and Facts (from independentfrumthinker.blogspot.com) (click on link to see the original post with all the feisty comments) . I am posting these as points of interests; please let's not be mefuraz umefurad over this - it's just food for thougt as a fast day approaches)

As I was preparing spiritually for the holy day of Purim, I compiled a list of Purim myths and facts, which I would like to share with my readers.Please feel free to add your own, which assuming I agree, I will add to the post.

1 –Myth – Ta’anis Esther is in commemoration of the three day fast that Esther declared before entering Achashveirosh’s quarters.

Fact – It is a commemoration of the fast that the Jews fasted on the thirteenth of Adar, the day on which they fought their enemies. It is named after Esther since she is an example of someone whose Tefilos were answered. (Tur Orach Chaim 686, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:2, & Mishna Brurah 686:2).

2 –Myth – The reason Hashem punished the Jews by allowing Haman to threaten them with annihilation was because they took part in Achashveirosh’s party.

Fact – They were punished for bowing down to the idol of Nevuchadnetzar. (Gemorah Megillah 12a).

3 –Myth - The two foods of Mishloach Manos must be of two different Brachos, otherwise they are considered as one.

Fact – As long as they are two distinct foods, even two types of meat, they are considered as two. (Gemorah Megillah 7b, Rambam Hilchos Megillah 2:15).

4 –Myth – One should spend more on Mishloach Manos than on Matanos L’Evyonim.

Fact – It is better to spend more money on Matanos L’Evyonim than on Mishloach Manos, since bringing joy to downtrodden people is a greater Mitzvah. (Rambam 2:17).

5 –Myth – One is obligated to get drunk on Purim.

Fact – Not necessarily. Although there are those Rishonim who rule that way, many others argue and rule that one should simply drink more than he is accustomed to and then nap a little. (Rambam 2:15, Shulchan Aruch and Rema 695:2, Mishna Brurah 695:5, & Aruch Hashulchan 695:5).

6 –Myth – Haman’s daughter, after realizing that she dumped a pail of refuse on her father’s head, jumped off the roof.

Fact – She actually fell off the roof, apparently from shock, and not that she committed suicide. (Gemorah Megillah 16a).

7 –Myth – Achashveirosh was simply fooled by Haman and felt no dislike towards the Jews.

Fact – He hated the Jews just as much as Haman, and was happy to get rid of them. (Gemorah Megillah 14a).

8 –Myth – Haman had ten sons.

Fact – There are actually three opinions. He either had thirty, ninety, or two hundred and eight. Apparently Megillahs Esther refers to his ten higher-ranking sons, though he had more. (Gemorah Megillah 15b).