Mishneh Torah, Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah 1 · Parenting voice, Bite-sized

The Power of the "Must-Do"

Parenting often feels like a blur of low-stakes choices: cereal or toast? Sneakers or boots? But sometimes, we need a "hard stop"—a moment where everything else pauses to prioritize something sacred. The Rambam explains that reading the Megillah is a positive commandment that supersedes almost everything else, including Torah study and Temple service Mishneh Torah, Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah 1:1. The big idea? We teach our children what we value by what we are willing to pause for. When we treat a family mitzvah as "non-negotiable," we aren't just checking a box; we are showing them that some things in life are worth dropping everything to witness.

Text Snapshot

"Everyone is obligated in this reading: men, women, converts, and freed slaves. Children should also be trained to read it. Even the priests should neglect their service in the Temple and come to hear the reading of the Megillah." — Mishneh Torah, Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah 1:1