Purim Readings

I always try to do some learning/reading to prepare for an upcoming chag. This year I've been reading these two fantastic books on Purim:

Inside Purim by Aryeh Pinchas Strickoff - which features an amazing collection of vortlach from many different sources on all aspects of Purim, including the mitzvos of the day, the Purim story, the miracle of Purim. Find out how Hamentaschen got their name, or why their called Oznei Haman in Hebrew. Did Vashti really grow a tail (surprisingly, many sources say she didn't). What exactly is the nature of the obligation to drink on Purim (also surprisingly that a lot of sources are anti-over drinking).

Purim and the Persian Empire - A Historical and Archaeological Perspective - This amazing coffee-table-ish book goes through Megillas Esther alongside archaeological and historical evidence showing that how the events in the Megillah could have (and most likely did) occur just as the Megillah records. It's so fun to see all the cool pictures and hear from a religious perspective how archaeology can actually strengthen our religious beliefs, rather than detract from them.

Of course, there is also the gigantic YUTorah Purim-To-Go 5771 packet. These Holiday-To-Go collections of Divrei Torah are always intriguing and well worth reading.

Well, while there isn't so much time left until Purim, it's still worth giving these sources a look. There is a whole Shabbos to spend some time reading up and prepare ourselves spiritually and intellectually for the chag.