Israel Matzav

Kumbaya, Persian style

Thus, the story of Purim ends in a bloodbath. The Jews do not sit down and enlighten their enemies about how we must all live together in peace, they do not form reconciliation committees, they do not forgive their genocidal enemies.

The Jews who follow Mordechai and Esther take up their swords and fight. Because only a good man with a sword can defeat a bad man with a sword.

And even as the victorious Jews slog through the blood of their enemies, even as they celebrate their victory, and even as they give food baskets to the poor, they know that this is not the end of Jewish history, it’s just another chapter that is fated to repeat itself over and over again — until the coming of the Messiah.

Labels: Purim

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:29 PM