"The Jews had light and gladness,
and joy and honor."
Esther 8:16
Adar 15, 5766/March 15, 2006
Shushan Purim
The scroll of Esther describes historical events that happened over 2,500 years ago. The Purim storyline involves so much intrigue, drama, and sudden turns of fate that it can sound at times more like a fairy tale then like the historical event it was. Yet, as fantastic as it may appear the first time around, the basic features of the Purim chronicle seem to have again been set in motion in today's current geopolitical situation. Once again, the Persian nation, (Iran), sees itself as the leader of an empire, (Moslem), that spans "from India to Cush (Ethiopia)". Once again, a son of Haman and Amalek, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, has declared for no other reason than blind hatred of the Jews, his intention to wipe the nation of Israel off the map. Once again, "point zero" is Jerusalem and Mount Moriah. And once again, saviors like Esther and Mordechai will arise to rescue the Jewish nation from the grips of her most implacable enemies. And once again, pulling the invisible strings is the G-d of Israel, His presence hidden from all those whose faith fails to penetrate the sound and the fury of of mortals hellbent on evil.
To learn more about Purim, and the striking parallels between then and now, please click here.
Reminder: Temple Talk will be broadcast next week, Monday, March 20th, at its usual time.
Purim sameach - happy Purim - to one and all,
Yitzchak Reuven
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
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