PEREK 4
Who was Hasach, and why was he called thus?
1. Yosef Da'as to Megilah 15:p1, ד"ה אמר רב
What is the deeper meaning to Esther's question?
1. Members' lecture for Purim 5767 from 0:00 til 15:30, by Rabbi Mordecai Kornfeld
Why did Mordechai oppose Esther's plan to wait until she would be called before the king in any event? Why does he admonish her for trying to escape her nation's fate?
What was the significance of gathering all the Jews to fast - the worthy and the unworthy together?
1. Yosef Da'as to Megilah 10:p6, ד"ה ברוש
On what dates did Esther's three-day fast take place?
How could Mordechai and Esther declare a fast on Pesach, superseding the positive Mitzvah of eating Matzah?
How many hours did the Jews fast? For how many hours did Esther fast? A what hour did Hashem answer?
1. Members' Lecture for Purim 5772 from 26:40 til 33:20, by Rabbi Mordecai Kornfeld
2. Marei Mekomos for Members' Lecture on Purim 5772 section 13 til 19
PEREK 5
What is the significance of the third day?
Where did Esther approach, and where was Achashverosh actually situated?
If, as Chazal teach (Megilah 15b), the scepter miraculously extended to reach Esther, why did she have to "come close" in order to touch it?
1. Members' lecture for Purim 5771 from 24:10 til 32:35, by Rabbi Mordecai Kornfeld
2. Marei Mekomos for Members' Lecture on Purim 5771 section 43
What are the views in Chazal as to how far the scepter extended? What is hidden behind these numbers?
1. Members' lecture for Purim 5771 from 32:35 til 46:30, by Rabbi Mordecai Kornfeld
2. Marei Mekomos for Members' Lecture on Purim 5771 section 39, and on
Since Esther had no intention to reveal her identity as a Jew - or to beseech the king to save her people from the evil plot of Haman - until the second banquet, why did she invite Haman to her first banquet?
4. Yosef Da'as to Megilah 15:p3, ד"ה מה ראתה אסתר, and on
Why did Esther delay her mission for yet one more day, until "Machar"?
How could Mordechai have been inside the king's gate? Surely he was wearing sackcloth during the three-day fast, and as such he could not enter within (see 4:2)!
PEREK 6
Why couldn't the king sleep? Which records did he call for?
What is the distinction between Yekar (honor) and Gedulah (grandeur)? Why does the king then ask Haman only how to give Yekar, omitting Gedulah?
What else did Haman have to do for Mordechai, according to the Gemara (Megilah 16a)?
1. Mafteach to Esther 6:11:1, and on
Did Mordechai ride on a horse on Yom Tov? And did Esther prepare food on Yom Tov for Achashverosh?
Why did Haman attribute the morning's events to chance? What did his advisors respond?
1. Mafteach to Esther 6:13:1, and on
