Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind's choice of Purim costume represented a basic inability to listen to the experiences of the African-American community, whose history, like that of the Jews, is plagued with persecution.

If we waited all year for the perfect time to give tzedkah, perhaps we would never give it at all. Therefore, why not tie the mitzvah of giving to the day which represents not order, but chaos; not perfection, but randomness.

Democratic assemblyman Dov Hikind initially said he meant no offense when he wore black-face makeup, an Afro wig, and a basketball jersey to a costume party.

It's common on Purim to do things upside down, and this year, Jerusalem Police seemed to go completely inside out by choosing not to arrest any female worshippers at the Kotel.

The two Israeli documentaries may have lost but the Book of Esther got a nod from Best Picture winner, 'Argo,' which reminded us that we can still get the best of Iran.

When Bracha Avigad-Gutmann refused to leave her hand-made Megillat Esther at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in 1941, she was denied her diploma; seven decades later, her enterprising friends finally got the certificate put into her hands.

For decades, Purim has had only a supporting role on film. But its themes of character, costume, deception and revelation are precisely the traits that define cinema.

Three designers chosen to create competing garments.

When teenagers decide they want to dress as ultra-Orthodox Jews or religious Muslims, we have to decide, is it terribly disrespectful, offensive or even racist to dress up in traditional garb that reflect deeply held religious beliefs?

As Jews, we must infuse all our earthly actions – from eating to sexual relations – with spirituality, not just on Purim, but throughout the year.