Israel Rubin

Instead of probing into prominent people’s privacies, I would pursue celebrities like Ahasuerus and Vashti of Persia. I would get a better picture, or portrait, of the megillah’s principal personalities . . .

Although the hamantash has been around for thousands of years, it was considered a moot point in higher academic circles. Other than being a tasty snack, it seemed to hold no special significance...