Prepare for Purim: Rabbanit Shani Taragin Hosts New Podcast
What if the Megillah you thought you knew is only the beginning?
As we approach Purim, we are excited to share a new 20‑episode podcast series, Secrets of the Scroll: The Hidden Messages of Megillat Esther, hosted by renowned educator Rabbanit Shani Taragin and powered by Walder Foundation in collaboration with Matan and World Mizrachi.
Listeners are invited to "unmask the Megillah" – hear its echoes, decode its references, and appreciate its modern-day relevance. Unlike any other book in Tanach, the Megillah never names God, records no prophecy, and stages no overt miracles. Instead, redemption unfolds through palace intrigue, political maneuvering, and human courage. Megillas Esther is a story of hiddenness, yet it has become one of Judaism’s most hopeful and enduring texts of survival.
How it Started
The idea for the podcast emerged from a meaningful conversation between Rabbanit Shani and Mrs. Elizabeth Walder, during which they explored ways to elevate and disseminate women’s Torah scholarship and to expand its impact.
They spoke about podcasts as a powerful contemporary medium, and together envisioned how Rabbanit Shani might best share her love of Torah and core lessons distilled from a deep understanding of Tanach. This conversation was the launch pad for the idea of a compelling podcast series.
“I’ve been a longtime admirer of Rabbanit Shani Taragin’s unique breadth of understanding of Tanach,” shares Walder. “She is a masterful educator and a leading female voice in advanced Torah learning. We are proud to help bring her Torah to a worldwide audience and hope this podcast expands the reach and impact of women’s Torah scholarship and leadership.”
Rabbanit Shani Taragin (left) and Mrs. Elizabeth Walder (right)
How it's Going
The podcast's unique interpretive approach and compelling lessons are already leaving a strong impression.
“This is one of the most innovative interpretations of the ideas that are essentially the secret language of the Megillah and its integration with the Tanakh,” shares Professor Aaron Lewis, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Department of Applied Physics. “The integration of the personalities in this scroll of Esther and actions in Bereshit...blew me away.”
Tune in today!
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