The press keeps talking about how we can explain to kids why there's no Purim this year. But there is. It's just a side of the holiday that we seldom talk about, but should.
There’s not a lot that I can say from the safety of my home in Canada except thank you for sharing your experience. Stay safe.
I really appreciate you reminding us all about the other side of the Purim story… which is where meaning can be found in today’s world. Let’s hope this war leads to peace in the region, and elsewhere.
Strength first, then peace. You are so right, Daniel. Our hearts hurt for our Israeli families but we know, in this, we concur with an American president with whom we don’t often agree.
Yes, stay safe but know we understand the need to persevere.
First, thank you for this piece. Most American Jews (and most European Jews) have no real idea what life in Israel (including periodic hostilities) is all about. Those of us in North America have been “saved” by the two oceans which have protected us. Many of us ignore or misunderstand the very real danger that we face.
Thank you for being the ultimate aircraft carrier defending Western civilization. We will be in Israel in August for a wedding and look forward to visiting our many friends and family.
One of my neighbours opened his yard to a load of kids and they have been partying for the last few hours... with one run to the shelter mid-party... they are still going strong... Purim sameach soon
I am also very grateful for the vivid description of what you are going through in Israel. And we should also remember the cyclic nature of our history, and not be complacent in any society. Persia, Spain, Germany: how many reminders do we need? Very grateful for Purim this year. Echoing: ד עז לעמו יתן. ד יברך את עמו בשלום
My heart wrenching photo from my israel family was my nearly 2 year old great granddaughter who got in bed clutching a badminton racquet and bullets from her brother’s nerf gun.
All very nice really but you do realize you are basing a foreign policy on a fairy tale and that you are only taking the most obvious meaning. A meaning meant for little children. The adults can see differently. If Purim was so great for the Jewish people why do we still have exactly the same issues. And in which historical epic were the Jews mighty enough to actually challenge the hegemonic powers: the age of Shlomo haMelech another fantasy realm. In that realm we are leaders in the world and Israel is allied with the other great powers.
Purim comes much later, Israel has been dissolved and the Jews are trying to become Persian.
Here is the kicker. The Jews did not attempt to defend themselves until the Emperor changed the law to allow it. Why? Doesn’t the Almighty allow for self defense?
Perhaps the story is that if you try to be like the other nations you will suffer like them and be heroic in the same way via violence and death. That is not the mission of the Jewish people in my mind.
That is why the war now and Purim has such resonance with each other. They are both due to Israel or its remnant thinking it’s just like the other nations.
It is not. The mission is to be a light unto the world not the biggest mofo on the block.
May the RSO hear the prayers of the righteous and may peace reign down.$!
Yes. How? That is where emunah or faith in the RSOs promise comes in. They have promised to preserve and support the Jewish people no matter what. But specifically They expect the world will change for the better by the example of the Jewish people. How does war accomplish this end? Show me.
Thank you for sharing this message especially with the grandchildren.
We in the USA are miles away. Yes we need victory in Israel for now and for the next generation and we need a victory in the US as well. Not sure if the last war we won was many years ago.
There’s not a lot that I can say from the safety of my home in Canada except thank you for sharing your experience. Stay safe.
I really appreciate you reminding us all about the other side of the Purim story… which is where meaning can be found in today’s world. Let’s hope this war leads to peace in the region, and elsewhere.
Shalom.
Strength first, then peace. You are so right, Daniel. Our hearts hurt for our Israeli families but we know, in this, we concur with an American president with whom we don’t often agree.
Yes, stay safe but know we understand the need to persevere.
Excellent. And I agree: reading the Megillah was like reading a fictionalization of this war.
Daniel,
First, thank you for this piece. Most American Jews (and most European Jews) have no real idea what life in Israel (including periodic hostilities) is all about. Those of us in North America have been “saved” by the two oceans which have protected us. Many of us ignore or misunderstand the very real danger that we face.
Thank you for being the ultimate aircraft carrier defending Western civilization. We will be in Israel in August for a wedding and look forward to visiting our many friends and family.
Stay safe.
One of my neighbours opened his yard to a load of kids and they have been partying for the last few hours... with one run to the shelter mid-party... they are still going strong... Purim sameach soon
I am also very grateful for the vivid description of what you are going through in Israel. And we should also remember the cyclic nature of our history, and not be complacent in any society. Persia, Spain, Germany: how many reminders do we need? Very grateful for Purim this year. Echoing: ד עז לעמו יתן. ד יברך את עמו בשלום
My heart wrenching photo from my israel family was my nearly 2 year old great granddaughter who got in bed clutching a badminton racquet and bullets from her brother’s nerf gun.
All very nice really but you do realize you are basing a foreign policy on a fairy tale and that you are only taking the most obvious meaning. A meaning meant for little children. The adults can see differently. If Purim was so great for the Jewish people why do we still have exactly the same issues. And in which historical epic were the Jews mighty enough to actually challenge the hegemonic powers: the age of Shlomo haMelech another fantasy realm. In that realm we are leaders in the world and Israel is allied with the other great powers.
Purim comes much later, Israel has been dissolved and the Jews are trying to become Persian.
Here is the kicker. The Jews did not attempt to defend themselves until the Emperor changed the law to allow it. Why? Doesn’t the Almighty allow for self defense?
Perhaps the story is that if you try to be like the other nations you will suffer like them and be heroic in the same way via violence and death. That is not the mission of the Jewish people in my mind.
That is why the war now and Purim has such resonance with each other. They are both due to Israel or its remnant thinking it’s just like the other nations.
It is not. The mission is to be a light unto the world not the biggest mofo on the block.
May the RSO hear the prayers of the righteous and may peace reign down.$!
How can you be ‘a light among nations’ if that light is extinguished?
Yes. How? That is where emunah or faith in the RSOs promise comes in. They have promised to preserve and support the Jewish people no matter what. But specifically They expect the world will change for the better by the example of the Jewish people. How does war accomplish this end? Show me.
Are we talking about the Jewish people in the diaspora or the Jewish people in Israel?
Pacifism is not always the answer though we might wish that to be the case.
Really but war is? How?
Wasn’t the goal of the “twelve day war” last summer the same as this war’s goal? If so, what is the need for this war?
Was the last war a failure?
Did the last war not go far enough?
Did Iran rebuild everything destroyed in the last war?
Will we have the same war again in one year?
Not saying I’m against this war, but it’s worth asking these questions.
The last war didn't finish the job.
Thank you for sharing this message especially with the grandchildren.
We in the USA are miles away. Yes we need victory in Israel for now and for the next generation and we need a victory in the US as well. Not sure if the last war we won was many years ago.
Psalm 122 6-9:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
May those who love you find peace.
May there be peace within your walls
and serenity within your palaces.
For the sake of my family and my friends,
I will speak of peace in your midst.
For the sake of the house of God,
I will pray for your prosperity.
תודה רבה