The Story of Purim Through a Constructive Mahloket (Disagreement) Lens

Many students never question why Mordechai wouldn’t bow to Haman, but according to halakha there isn’t a prohibition against bowing to a fellow human being, as a social custom or sign of respect. So why didn’t Mordechai bow to Haman? This activity is designed to help students approach texts with an openness to exploring the varying perspectives of all characters involved, an openness which they can then apply to their own lives. The unit includes a Teacher’s Guide, Source Sheet, and Student Havruta Handout.

Click here to download The Story of Purim Through a Constructive Mahloket (Disagreement) Lens.

About Daniel Roth

Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth is the Director Emeritus of the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution and an adjunct faculty member. He taught at Pardes for over twenty years and is now the Director of Mosaica - The Religious Peace Initiative. He also teaches graduate courses on religion and peace building at Bar-Ilan University’s Conflict Resolution, Management and Negotiation Graduate Program, as well as at Tel Aviv University’s International Program in Conflict Resolution and Mediation, and at Hebrew University’s Coexistence in the Middle East summer program. Roth initiated Pardes's Mahloket Matters: How to Disagree Constructively and the 9Adar Project: Jewish Week of Constructive Conflict, known in Israel as DiburHadash: The Israeli Week of Mediation and Dialogue. Roth is a regular lecturer of MEJDI (multi-narrative) Tours and National Geographic. He was a senior research fellow at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. He holds a Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University’s Conflict Resolution Program, MA in Talmud from Hebrew University, B.Ed in Jewish Philosophy and Talmud from Herzog Teachers’ College, and studied for eight years in Yeshivat Har-Etzion during which time he received rabbinic ordination. Click here to read more.

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