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From the Rabbi's
Desk..
In his Purim anthology, Philip Goodman includes a chapter called "Special Purims." Not including the Purim which we observe, he describes fifteen such special Purims. Each was celebrated by a particular community to commemorate an occasion when that community was threatened with destruction and then saved by a miracle. These deliverances were celebrated on their yearly anniversaries as festivals. The festive occasions were called Purim after the Biblical prototype and were an expression of the belief that the hand of God guides the destiny of the Jewish people. Our Purim was really a Persian Purim and, over time, adopted by all Jewish communities. Among others, Goodman writes about the Purim of Shiraz in Persia, Purim of Saragossa in Aragon, Purim of Castille in Spain, Purim De Las Bombas in Portugal, Purim of Bandits in Tripoli and Purim Fettmilch in Frankfort. The Encyclopedia Judaica lists one hundred and one special Purims. All bear witness to the Haggadah's statement that "in every generation there are those who rise to destroy us but the Holy One, blessed be He, rescues us from their hands."
How sad was the Rabbinic prediction that in the time of the Messiah all holidays will be abolished except Purim. This reflected their belief that anti-Semitism would never be entirely eradicated. We would always need a Purim. Using contemporary idiom, Rabbi Milton Steinberg wrote, "anti-Semitism is an incurable disease."
Not too many years ago I believed, naively, that anti-Semitism was in retreat. Myopic vision misled me to an optimistic view of the world. I was wrong. The threat of a nuclear Iran, Hamas, Hizbollah, Al Quaida and European anti-Semitism point again to the Haggadah's statement which we need to read every year.
Our enemies claim they are not anti-Semitic. "We do not hate Jews-it is Zionism and Israel that we hate and aim to destroy." Would that you could read the most recent posting from Jerusalem by Rabbi Daniel Gordis.* When stripped of their guile and the protestations of our "friends", it is we Jews who are the bone lodged in their throats. Our existence is the bane of their existence. Long ago it was Haman, followed throughout history by a long list of tyrants. Today it is Achmadinejab and an even longer list of anti-Semites. In Persia deliverance was wrought while Haman was reduced to a three cornered pastry. Today again, our enemies rage and roar. Deliverance will surely come. I wonder...what shape will the next pastry take?
It's Purim! ... Drink up! ... L'Chaim!
*Call and I'll send you a copy.
Rabbi Albert Thaler
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