Purim, the Number Fourteen and G-d's Hand

Autoplay Next

Purim, the Number Fourteen and G-d's Hand: Letters and Numbers of the Festivals—Purim

What is the difference between Purim, which is celebrated on the 14th day of the month, and Passover and Sukkot which are celebrated on the 15th day of their respective months? The answer lies in the fact that the number fourteen in Hebrew is represented by the letters yud (10) and daled (4), which spell the word "yad" which means "hand."

Switch to Video

Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin is the official Chabad emissary to downtown Brooklyn, rabbi of Congregation B’nai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights, New York and Dean of Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy. He is the author of the books, “Thank You God for Making Me a Woman", "Letters of Light", "By Divine Design", and "Guardian of Israel", and the co-author of "The Rabbi & The CEO".

Join the Discussion

13 Comments

Newest

Oldest

Rachel March 13, 2025

Thank you, Rabbi Raskin, for this Shiur on Purim and The Hand of HaShem! Reply

cora cavallero Celle Ligure April 3, 2024

Amen Reply

Yeshurun Nyongesa The Gambia, West Africa. March 21, 2024

Baruk Hashem! Wow! I will never see Purim the same way again. Recieved the video from my Rabbi at the Noahide Yeshiva in Jerusalem all the way in The Gambia. Am very gratefully for these wonderful insights, Toda Raba. Torah is indeed comming from Jerusalem. Am Yisrael Chai! Reply

Rabbi Aaron Raskin Bklyn hts March 21, 2024

in response to Yeshurun Nyongesa:

Thank you for watching please share with ten friends Reply

Anonymous February 23, 2013

Sons of Judah Dear Rabbi Raskin,
Thank you for the very helpful teaching. Awesome.
Can you give me bible reference to Judah being the ones who went forth into the Red Sea, ahead of the others.
Shallom. Reply

Michael Smolash West Bloomfield, MI February 18, 2013

Inspiration! Thank you for this moving d'var. It has so inspired me as we move closer to the 14th of Adar this year!! Reply

chemdah tel-aviv, Yisrael June 3, 2012

G-dliness bs"d
How could you say you don't see G-dliness? what do you mean by such statement? Reply

Anonymous Mesa, Arizona, USA March 13, 2012

Purim, The Number Thank you for your reply Rabbi Raskin. I really appreciate it. Your teachings are great! I have been learning so much from Chabad.org. My ignorance through all these years is overwhelming. The more I learn of Torah and the teachings of Judaism gives me an overwhelming feeling. But there is also sadness because I was instructed the wrong way. Therefore, I repent everyday for the stupid years of my past. Thanks to Hashem, blessed be He, kindness and compassion this revelation has come to me before I leave this world. Again, thank you Rabbi Raskin, and many blessings to you and yours. Reply

Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin Brooklyn, NY March 12, 2012

Re: Purim, The Number See Yalkut Shimoni on Esther Chapter 2, which says that he killed her.

This is also hinted in the words "he remembered his wife and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. Reply

Anonymous Mesa, Arizona, USA March 8, 2012

Purim, The Number Rabbi Raskin, this is the first time I hear that Queen Bashti was killed. I have the story of Esther in three different books and none mentioned that the King had Bashti executed. Can you please inform where this information is found? I am kind of confused.Thank you in advance for your kindness. Reply

Allan Labrador Mas Quezon City, Philippines March 7, 2012

Greetings to the sons of Yehuda on Purim We, your brother Filipinos, would like to be one with you in Israel as the Jewish nation celebrates Purim.

Shalom! Reply

arvind fresno, ca/USA March 7, 2012

Purim What a wonderful teaching. Reply

Heidie Hadasah Esther Miriam huston, TX March 6, 2012

Purim Todah.. I loved the Messaage and it reminds me of my Name ..Heidie Hadassah Miriam Timm..Shalom . Reply

Letters and Numbers of the Festivals—Purim