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1. Soldiers, Settlers Celebrate Purim at Joshua’s Tomb
by Gavriel Queenann
A special service was held on Purim morning Thursday at the tomb of Yehoshua Ben Nun in Kifl Hares in Samaria.
The morning prayer service and traditional second reading of the Book of Esther for Purim, was led by Samaria Regional Community Council head Gershon Mesika and Rabbi Uriel Genzel.
Of special note was the participation of the Ephraim Brigade, commanded by Col. Ron Kahane, who were lovingly welcomed by the residents of Judea and Samaria who attended.
Kahane and his men were toasted and given the traditional "lechaim" blessing – to life!
Earlier, when the first worshipers arrived at the tomb, they were shocked to discover local Arabs had desecrated the compound. The inner walls of the holy structure were painted with a large swastika and nationalist PA graffiti was spray-painted in Arabic.
PA security forces have allowed the tomb to be desecrated multiple times since Israel handed Kifl Hares over to them, but recently claimed they would prevent further desecration of tombs in their areas.
The worshipers brought white paint and tried to execute minor repairs to the tomb before the service..
Col. Kahane said he was confident that his soldiers will be inspired by hearing the Megillah in Yehoshua Ben Nun's tomb alongside their fellow citizens to exert themselves in their missions, and that the settlements will continue to grow.
Mesika said, "It was very exciting to read the Book of Esther, the Book of valor of Israel, at the grave of the great leader who brought us into the land – Yehoshua Ben Nun."
Mesika also drew a parallel between the tomb desecration and the Book of Esther "On a day where we read about the downfall of the genocidal Haman so many years ago, we are again reminded of those people who want to follow in his footsteps today."
Mesika explained, "A direct line connects the Persian Haman today - Ahmadinejad, who threatens the destruction of Jewish people - and the PA terrorists who choose to mark their actions with the swastika, a symbol of barbarism that desecrates the graves of our holy fathers."
"In the face of this darkness we still have light, the salvation of Purim, and the joy of building Israel," he said. "This Purim, especially in the face of the swastika Yehoshua Ben Nun's tomb, we draw immortal strength and joy from him, who told us 'go up and inherit the land,' for we have done so."
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by Gavriel Queenann
A special service was held on Purim morning Thursday at the tomb of Yehoshua Ben Nun in Kifl Hares in Samaria.
The morning prayer service and traditional second reading of the Book of Esther for Purim, was led by Samaria Regional Community Council head Gershon Mesika and Rabbi Uriel Genzel.
Of special note was the participation of the Ephraim Brigade, commanded by Col. Ron Kahane, who were lovingly welcomed by the residents of Judea and Samaria who attended.
Kahane and his men were toasted and given the traditional "lechaim" blessing – to life!
Earlier, when the first worshipers arrived at the tomb, they were shocked to discover local Arabs had desecrated the compound. The inner walls of the holy structure were painted with a large swastika and nationalist PA graffiti was spray-painted in Arabic.
PA security forces have allowed the tomb to be desecrated multiple times since Israel handed Kifl Hares over to them, but recently claimed they would prevent further desecration of tombs in their areas.
The worshipers brought white paint and tried to execute minor repairs to the tomb before the service..
Col. Kahane said he was confident that his soldiers will be inspired by hearing the Megillah in Yehoshua Ben Nun's tomb alongside their fellow citizens to exert themselves in their missions, and that the settlements will continue to grow.
Mesika said, "It was very exciting to read the Book of Esther, the Book of valor of Israel, at the grave of the great leader who brought us into the land – Yehoshua Ben Nun."
Mesika also drew a parallel between the tomb desecration and the Book of Esther "On a day where we read about the downfall of the genocidal Haman so many years ago, we are again reminded of those people who want to follow in his footsteps today."
Mesika explained, "A direct line connects the Persian Haman today - Ahmadinejad, who threatens the destruction of Jewish people - and the PA terrorists who choose to mark their actions with the swastika, a symbol of barbarism that desecrates the graves of our holy fathers."
"In the face of this darkness we still have light, the salvation of Purim, and the joy of building Israel," he said. "This Purim, especially in the face of the swastika Yehoshua Ben Nun's tomb, we draw immortal strength and joy from him, who told us 'go up and inherit the land,' for we have done so."
Tags: Purim ,Ron Kahane ,Ephraim Brigade ,Gershon Mesika
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2. The Joyous Holiday of Purim Begins on Wednesday Night
by A7 Staff
The festive holiday of Purim begins on Wednesday night, directly after the Fast of Esther, which was commemorated on Wednesday. (For thought-provoking articles on the spiritual aspects of Purim in A7's Judaism section, click here and here).
The Purim holiday for most communities will last until Thursday evening; in Jerusalem, it begins Thursday evening and ends at the start of the Sabbath on Friday. In some areas it is celebrated on both days. The criteria for the date is whether the city was walled in the times of Joshua Bin-Nun’s conquest of the Land of Israel – a standard set by the Sages in order to aggrandize the stature of the Land of Israel.
The festivities begin with the public and joyous reading of the Scroll of Esther, as the holiday commemorates the events described in the Book of Esther, to wit: After the anti-Semitic Haman, Grand Vizier of the Persian Empire, plots to destroy the Jews of the empire's 127 countries, and after the Jews then embark upon a path of repentance and spiritual self-reckoning, a series of Divinely-contrived events foils the murderous scheme and allows them to rise up and defeat their enemies.
In addition to the reading of the above Scroll, at night and the following morning, the day’s special commandments also include the giving of charity to at least two needy people, a festive meal, sharing two ready-to-eat food portions (Mishloach Manot) with at least one person, and in general being happy and thankful to G-d for His deliverance. Synagogues are filled with charity boxes for "machatzit hashekel", coins donated on Purim to remember the half shekel given to the Temple by the Jews each year to finance the daily sacrifices.
In recent years, many synagogues have taken to computerized Mishloach Manot, where congregants receive a computer list of members, mark off those to whom they wish to send Purim portions and pay a small amount per person. Each family then gets one basket of goodies. The extra funds are donated to charity, in keeping with Maimonides' assertion that it is better to give more charity to the poor than to send many food portions to friends.
This year, since they celebrate on Friday, Jerusalemites have a special problem. The festive Purim meal is normally eaten in the late afternoon and goes on into the night hours. However, one is not permitted to eat a heavy meal on Friday afternoon, so as to be hungry for the Friday night meal. To solve this problem, some families will have their meal at 11 a.m. on Friday and end early. Others will try an unusual twist: they will begin the Purim festive meal one hour before the Sabbath, take a break to cover the hallah with a cloth, light candles and say the prayers welcoming the Sabbath (Kabbalat Shabbat) at the proper time, and continue the meal afterwards as a combination Purim and Sabbath meal. Kiddush includes the blessing on wine that night only if there is a guest who did not drink wine at the Purim meal. Evening prayers are recited after dessert and Grace after Meals is said including the special inserts for Purim and the Sabbath.
The joy of Purim is often augmented by the imbibing of varying quantities of wine and other intoxicating beverages, unusual for Judaism, and a symbol of the intoxicating joy of being saved. The Sages ruled that once one can no longer distinguish (adloyada) between “Blessed is Mordechai” and “Accursed is Haman” - the two who led the forces of good and evil, respectively, in the Purim story - no further wine need be downed. Some take upon themselves the stringency of refraining from wine altogether, and fulfill the commands to be joyous and undiscriminating otherwise. (To understand the command to drink on Purim, click here.)
Costumes are often worn on Purim, especially by children, symbolizing the hidden, Divinely-"au contraire" aspects of Jewish history, in that events that appear to be leading in a negative direction can often end up in precisely the opposite place. Israel's health funds and emergency services publish warnings to parents about avoiding the purchase of flammable costumes and fireworks.
The Purim salvation seemed to be due to natural events, and G-d's name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther (commentators say that when it says "the King" without naming Ahasueros, the reference hints at G-d) but G-d's hand moves the players from behind the scenes. This "hidden" aspect of the story is symbolized in traditional Purim foods that have fillings "hidden" inside: hamantaschen, triangular pastry filled with poppy seeds or prune jam (and nowadays with anything the baker decides to try!), and in Ashkenazi tradition, stuffed cabbage and kreplach (ravioli with meat/potato filling).
Celebrating the miraculous salvation and the Jews’ return to a nationally-united, Torah way of life, Purim has traditionally symbolized the defeat of anti-Semitic tyranny and Jewish assimilation. On this happy, carnival-like holiday many offices, shops, and public institutions operate on a reduced basis. Many cities features adlyoda parades, clowns, costumes, there are lendless parties and festivals, and - in religious neighborhoods - sound trucks, people dancing from house to house and crowds of masquerading children rushing to deliver mishloach manot .
Hillel Fendel, former A7 writer, contributed to this article.
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by A7 Staff
The festive holiday of Purim begins on Wednesday night, directly after the Fast of Esther, which was commemorated on Wednesday. (For thought-provoking articles on the spiritual aspects of Purim in A7's Judaism section, click here and here).
The Purim holiday for most communities will last until Thursday evening; in Jerusalem, it begins Thursday evening and ends at the start of the Sabbath on Friday. In some areas it is celebrated on both days. The criteria for the date is whether the city was walled in the times of Joshua Bin-Nun’s conquest of the Land of Israel – a standard set by the Sages in order to aggrandize the stature of the Land of Israel.
The festivities begin with the public and joyous reading of the Scroll of Esther, as the holiday commemorates the events described in the Book of Esther, to wit: After the anti-Semitic Haman, Grand Vizier of the Persian Empire, plots to destroy the Jews of the empire's 127 countries, and after the Jews then embark upon a path of repentance and spiritual self-reckoning, a series of Divinely-contrived events foils the murderous scheme and allows them to rise up and defeat their enemies.
In addition to the reading of the above Scroll, at night and the following morning, the day’s special commandments also include the giving of charity to at least two needy people, a festive meal, sharing two ready-to-eat food portions (Mishloach Manot) with at least one person, and in general being happy and thankful to G-d for His deliverance. Synagogues are filled with charity boxes for "machatzit hashekel", coins donated on Purim to remember the half shekel given to the Temple by the Jews each year to finance the daily sacrifices.
In recent years, many synagogues have taken to computerized Mishloach Manot, where congregants receive a computer list of members, mark off those to whom they wish to send Purim portions and pay a small amount per person. Each family then gets one basket of goodies. The extra funds are donated to charity, in keeping with Maimonides' assertion that it is better to give more charity to the poor than to send many food portions to friends.
This year, since they celebrate on Friday, Jerusalemites have a special problem. The festive Purim meal is normally eaten in the late afternoon and goes on into the night hours. However, one is not permitted to eat a heavy meal on Friday afternoon, so as to be hungry for the Friday night meal. To solve this problem, some families will have their meal at 11 a.m. on Friday and end early. Others will try an unusual twist: they will begin the Purim festive meal one hour before the Sabbath, take a break to cover the hallah with a cloth, light candles and say the prayers welcoming the Sabbath (Kabbalat Shabbat) at the proper time, and continue the meal afterwards as a combination Purim and Sabbath meal. Kiddush includes the blessing on wine that night only if there is a guest who did not drink wine at the Purim meal. Evening prayers are recited after dessert and Grace after Meals is said including the special inserts for Purim and the Sabbath.
The joy of Purim is often augmented by the imbibing of varying quantities of wine and other intoxicating beverages, unusual for Judaism, and a symbol of the intoxicating joy of being saved. The Sages ruled that once one can no longer distinguish (adloyada) between “Blessed is Mordechai” and “Accursed is Haman” - the two who led the forces of good and evil, respectively, in the Purim story - no further wine need be downed. Some take upon themselves the stringency of refraining from wine altogether, and fulfill the commands to be joyous and undiscriminating otherwise. (To understand the command to drink on Purim, click here.)
Costumes are often worn on Purim, especially by children, symbolizing the hidden, Divinely-"au contraire" aspects of Jewish history, in that events that appear to be leading in a negative direction can often end up in precisely the opposite place. Israel's health funds and emergency services publish warnings to parents about avoiding the purchase of flammable costumes and fireworks.
The Purim salvation seemed to be due to natural events, and G-d's name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther (commentators say that when it says "the King" without naming Ahasueros, the reference hints at G-d) but G-d's hand moves the players from behind the scenes. This "hidden" aspect of the story is symbolized in traditional Purim foods that have fillings "hidden" inside: hamantaschen, triangular pastry filled with poppy seeds or prune jam (and nowadays with anything the baker decides to try!), and in Ashkenazi tradition, stuffed cabbage and kreplach (ravioli with meat/potato filling).
Celebrating the miraculous salvation and the Jews’ return to a nationally-united, Torah way of life, Purim has traditionally symbolized the defeat of anti-Semitic tyranny and Jewish assimilation. On this happy, carnival-like holiday many offices, shops, and public institutions operate on a reduced basis. Many cities features adlyoda parades, clowns, costumes, there are lendless parties and festivals, and - in religious neighborhoods - sound trucks, people dancing from house to house and crowds of masquerading children rushing to deliver mishloach manot .
Hillel Fendel, former A7 writer, contributed to this article.
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3. Six Indicited in Haifa Lynch Attempt
by David Lev
An indictment was handed down Thursday morning against six Haifa Arabs who are accused of participating in an attempted “lynch” murder by an Arab mob several weeks ago against two IDF soldiers.
The two off-duty soldiers were moderately injured when a gang of Arabs began throwing bricks and other objects at them, and then beat them with metal sticks and stones, while shouting anti-Jewish curses and slogans at them. The Arabs, using a knife, also carved the term “PLO” onto the foreheads of one of the soldiers.
Despite the copious testimony of the two soldiers regarding the anti-Semitic nature of the attack, the indictment makes no mention of “nationalistic reasons” as being behind the attack.
The incident occurred about two weeks ago, when Arabs near Rambam Hospital in Haifa attacked the soldiers. Witnesses told police that one of the Arabs asked the soldiers, who were on a break from the army, if they were Jewish. When the soldiers answered affirmatively, four Arabs jumped out of the car and started attacking them, using sticks, metal pipes, and stones, while kicking and punching them. Witnesses added that the soldiers were struck on the head numerous times. Later, another group of Arabs – as many as a dozen – joined the gang and participated in the attack.
The soldiers called out for help, and hospital security guards came out and began fighting the Arabs. The Arabs jumped into a vehicle and sped away, but an alert security guard was able to get his license plate number. It was on the basis of the guard's quick thinking that police were able to make an arrest. Police are still searching for the other suspects involved in the attack.
The indictment charged the Arabs – two adults and four minors – with “aggravated assault.
Haifa police chief Moshe Cohen told reporters that “the incident started out as an argument, apparently nationalistically motivated, with two soldiers who were wearing civilian clothes attacked. An investigation is ongoing.” Immediately after the attack, Haifa judge Za'id Falah, who presided over arraignment of the Arabs when they were first arrested, said that the incident “reminds us of the lynch in Ramallah,” when an Arab mob in 2000 murdered two Israel Defense Forces reservists, Vadim Nurzhitz (sometimes spelled as Norzhich) and Yossi Avrahami, after they mistakenly entered the city. However, last week Falah said that he would not classify the Haifa incident as a “lynch.”
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by David Lev
An indictment was handed down Thursday morning against six Haifa Arabs who are accused of participating in an attempted “lynch” murder by an Arab mob several weeks ago against two IDF soldiers.
The two off-duty soldiers were moderately injured when a gang of Arabs began throwing bricks and other objects at them, and then beat them with metal sticks and stones, while shouting anti-Jewish curses and slogans at them. The Arabs, using a knife, also carved the term “PLO” onto the foreheads of one of the soldiers.
Despite the copious testimony of the two soldiers regarding the anti-Semitic nature of the attack, the indictment makes no mention of “nationalistic reasons” as being behind the attack.
The incident occurred about two weeks ago, when Arabs near Rambam Hospital in Haifa attacked the soldiers. Witnesses told police that one of the Arabs asked the soldiers, who were on a break from the army, if they were Jewish. When the soldiers answered affirmatively, four Arabs jumped out of the car and started attacking them, using sticks, metal pipes, and stones, while kicking and punching them. Witnesses added that the soldiers were struck on the head numerous times. Later, another group of Arabs – as many as a dozen – joined the gang and participated in the attack.
The soldiers called out for help, and hospital security guards came out and began fighting the Arabs. The Arabs jumped into a vehicle and sped away, but an alert security guard was able to get his license plate number. It was on the basis of the guard's quick thinking that police were able to make an arrest. Police are still searching for the other suspects involved in the attack.
The indictment charged the Arabs – two adults and four minors – with “aggravated assault.
Haifa police chief Moshe Cohen told reporters that “the incident started out as an argument, apparently nationalistically motivated, with two soldiers who were wearing civilian clothes attacked. An investigation is ongoing.” Immediately after the attack, Haifa judge Za'id Falah, who presided over arraignment of the Arabs when they were first arrested, said that the incident “reminds us of the lynch in Ramallah,” when an Arab mob in 2000 murdered two Israel Defense Forces reservists, Vadim Nurzhitz (sometimes spelled as Norzhich) and Yossi Avrahami, after they mistakenly entered the city. However, last week Falah said that he would not classify the Haifa incident as a “lynch.”
Tags: lynch ,Rambam Hospital ,Security
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4. Report: Israel Warned Turkey of Attacks on Diplomats
by David Lev
A Turkish media report Wednesday said that Israel had warned Turkish authorities that Iran was organizing attacks on Israeli diplomats in that country. The warning was reportedly sent by the Mossad to Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MİT) in a letter, which said that an Iranian group operating in Turkey was planning the attacks.
The report in Turkey's Hürriyet Daily News said that the Mossad warned Turkish security officials that at terrorists associated with a group called the “Iranian Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force” had entered the country. MIT did not confirm or deny the report, but Turkey's NTV said that four individuals “have entered Turkey from Iran” and had come equipped with weapons that could be used in an attack on Israeli diplomats.
On Wednesday, Indian security authorities arrested a local journalist whom they say was involved in planning the attack against Israeli diplomats n New Delhi last month. According to reports, the suspect, Mohammed Kazmi, worked for an Iranian media outlet. Police believe that Kazmi planned and carried out the attack along with two or three other individuals. Police said that Kazmi conducted surveillance of Israeli diplomats and institutions in India.
A report Thursday said that New Delhi police have found what they believe to be the the motorcycle used by the shooter who opened fire on Israeli diplomats in the mid-February attack. One Israeli, Tal Keren-Yehoshua, the wife of a senior Israeli official in India, was seriously injured in the attack.
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by David Lev
A Turkish media report Wednesday said that Israel had warned Turkish authorities that Iran was organizing attacks on Israeli diplomats in that country. The warning was reportedly sent by the Mossad to Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MİT) in a letter, which said that an Iranian group operating in Turkey was planning the attacks.
The report in Turkey's Hürriyet Daily News said that the Mossad warned Turkish security officials that at terrorists associated with a group called the “Iranian Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force” had entered the country. MIT did not confirm or deny the report, but Turkey's NTV said that four individuals “have entered Turkey from Iran” and had come equipped with weapons that could be used in an attack on Israeli diplomats.
On Wednesday, Indian security authorities arrested a local journalist whom they say was involved in planning the attack against Israeli diplomats n New Delhi last month. According to reports, the suspect, Mohammed Kazmi, worked for an Iranian media outlet. Police believe that Kazmi planned and carried out the attack along with two or three other individuals. Police said that Kazmi conducted surveillance of Israeli diplomats and institutions in India.
A report Thursday said that New Delhi police have found what they believe to be the the motorcycle used by the shooter who opened fire on Israeli diplomats in the mid-February attack. One Israeli, Tal Keren-Yehoshua, the wife of a senior Israeli official in India, was seriously injured in the attack.
Tags: Turkey ,Iran Terrorism ,India attack
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5. Top Nuclear Watchdog Demanding Answers
by Gavriel Queenann
The International Atomic Energy Association on Thursday directly accused Iran of refusing to come clear about its nuclear program amid reports of a bid by Tehran to destroy evidence of wrong-doing.
"Iran is not telling us everything. That is my impression. We are asking Iran to engage with us proactively, and Iran has a case to answer," Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said.
Amano told CNN that Iran has declared a number of nuclear facilities to the IAEA, but refuses to declare others and open them for inspection.
"For these facilities and activities, I can tell that they are in peaceful purpose," Amano said. "But there are also, there may be other facilities which are not declared, and we have the indication or information that Iran has engaged in activities relevant to the development of nuclear explosive devices."
Also Wednesday, a Western diplomat here said that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany –the so-called P5-plus-1 – have agreed on a joint statement on Iran, which will be delivered Thursday to the IAEA.
"The statement underlines our concerns about Iran's nuclear activities, including its uranium enrichment activities at Natanz and Fordow," the diplomat said. "It calls on the director general of the IAEA to report back on Iran's progress in fulfilling its obligations."
The renewed press by Amano and western diplomats comes as new satellite images of the Parchin military complex appear to show trucks and earthmoving vehicles at the site ahead of a proposed new round of nuclear talks.
The diplomats, all nuclear experts accredited to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the Associated Press that the images appear to reveal an attempted cleanup of radioactive materials that may have been left by tests of a nuclear-weapon trigger.
In explaining such a device, the agency's November report said that "if placed in the center of a nuclear core of an implosion-type nuclear device and compressed, [it] could produce a burst of neutrons suitable for initiating a fission chain reaction."
The IAEA has been wrangling with Iran over access to the Parchin site for months. Earlier this week Iran announced it would allow IAEA inspectors access to Parchin as a "gesture of goodwill," but insisted terms for the visit would have to be negotiated - leading to charges Tehran is stalling.
Iran previously razed the Lavizan Shian complex in northern Iran before allowing IAEA inspectors to visit the suspected repository of military procured equipment that could be used in a nuclear-weapons program.
Tehran claimed the site had been demolished to make way for a park, but inspectors who subsequently visited the site found traces of uranium enriched to or near the level used in making the core of nuclear warheads.
Comment on this story
by Gavriel Queenann
The International Atomic Energy Association on Thursday directly accused Iran of refusing to come clear about its nuclear program amid reports of a bid by Tehran to destroy evidence of wrong-doing.
"Iran is not telling us everything. That is my impression. We are asking Iran to engage with us proactively, and Iran has a case to answer," Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said.
Amano told CNN that Iran has declared a number of nuclear facilities to the IAEA, but refuses to declare others and open them for inspection.
"For these facilities and activities, I can tell that they are in peaceful purpose," Amano said. "But there are also, there may be other facilities which are not declared, and we have the indication or information that Iran has engaged in activities relevant to the development of nuclear explosive devices."
Also Wednesday, a Western diplomat here said that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany –the so-called P5-plus-1 – have agreed on a joint statement on Iran, which will be delivered Thursday to the IAEA.
"The statement underlines our concerns about Iran's nuclear activities, including its uranium enrichment activities at Natanz and Fordow," the diplomat said. "It calls on the director general of the IAEA to report back on Iran's progress in fulfilling its obligations."
The renewed press by Amano and western diplomats comes as new satellite images of the Parchin military complex appear to show trucks and earthmoving vehicles at the site ahead of a proposed new round of nuclear talks.
The diplomats, all nuclear experts accredited to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the Associated Press that the images appear to reveal an attempted cleanup of radioactive materials that may have been left by tests of a nuclear-weapon trigger.
In explaining such a device, the agency's November report said that "if placed in the center of a nuclear core of an implosion-type nuclear device and compressed, [it] could produce a burst of neutrons suitable for initiating a fission chain reaction."
The IAEA has been wrangling with Iran over access to the Parchin site for months. Earlier this week Iran announced it would allow IAEA inspectors access to Parchin as a "gesture of goodwill," but insisted terms for the visit would have to be negotiated - leading to charges Tehran is stalling.
Iran previously razed the Lavizan Shian complex in northern Iran before allowing IAEA inspectors to visit the suspected repository of military procured equipment that could be used in a nuclear-weapons program.
Tehran claimed the site had been demolished to make way for a park, but inspectors who subsequently visited the site found traces of uranium enriched to or near the level used in making the core of nuclear warheads.
Tags: IAEA ,Yukiya Amano ,Iran ,Iran Nuclear Program ,Parchin
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6. Would Israel's Courts Hang Haman?
by Gavriel Queenann
Rabbi Mordechai Nagari of Maaleh Adumim said on Purim that the Book of Esther teaches us that Israel must act decisively when lives are on the line.
The Book of Esther recounts the tale of the Jewish people's salvation from the genocidal aims of the wicked Haman during the reign of Ahasuerus, who ruled the Persian empire during the latter years of the Babylonian exile. Iran is the site of ancient Persia.
"Mordecai and Esther stopped to fast for three days to avert the evil decree," Rabbi Nagari recounted. "According to the Sages it was Passover. This means that Esther had canceled the Seder and did not celebrate Passover. Why?"
Rabbi Nagari explains, "Hashem was monitoring each nation's soul - and our very fate hung in the balance - this goes beyond ordinary rules and judgment."
He told Arutz Sheva he did not believe the Book of Esther would pass judicial review by Israel's Supreme Court, and that the justices would have refused to hang the genocidal Haman.
"The Book of Esther would not survive the Supreme Court," Negari said. "There are things in the Megillah that would not stand the test of [modern] law. It would be struck down"
"Esther called for a banquet with wine to uncover the [wicked] soul of Haman," Rabbi Nagari explained, retelling the famous scene in the Megillah where Queen Esther reveals to Ahasuerus she is a member of the doomed Jewish people who had been sold into Haman's genocidal hands.
Discomfited, Ahasuerus agrees to her pleas for her life and the lives of her people, but removes himself upon hearing that his advisor Haman is behind the plot.
In Ahasuerus' absence Haman falls on on Esther's couch begging for her mercy, but when Ahasuerus returns he misconstrues Haman's posture as a seduction attempt. "And the king orders Haman to hang."
"If it were today, people would say it was a lynching," Rabbi Negari said. "How do you execute a man without a careful hearing to determine the truth?"
"But, if your people are being grabbed by Nazi murderers, do you stop to hold a trial? It would never happen. When people's lives are on the line, you don't stop to split hairs. You act."
The Book of Esther teeaches us that "you cannot examine justice strictly according to the rules, but also according to the context of events," Rabbi Nagari said.
Rabbi Nagari said justice does not allow one to be merciful to the cruel. "We saw in this week's haftarah, King Saul defied Hashem and showed compassion for Agag the Amalekite, the ancestor of Haman, who later sought Israel’s destruction.”
“There are times not to feel sorry for the wicked,” he said. “Not when it comes to Israel's very survival. There are times when we cannot go according to legalistic rules. "
Comment on this story
by Gavriel Queenann
Rabbi Mordechai Nagari of Maaleh Adumim said on Purim that the Book of Esther teaches us that Israel must act decisively when lives are on the line.
The Book of Esther recounts the tale of the Jewish people's salvation from the genocidal aims of the wicked Haman during the reign of Ahasuerus, who ruled the Persian empire during the latter years of the Babylonian exile. Iran is the site of ancient Persia.
"Mordecai and Esther stopped to fast for three days to avert the evil decree," Rabbi Nagari recounted. "According to the Sages it was Passover. This means that Esther had canceled the Seder and did not celebrate Passover. Why?"
Rabbi Nagari explains, "Hashem was monitoring each nation's soul - and our very fate hung in the balance - this goes beyond ordinary rules and judgment."
He told Arutz Sheva he did not believe the Book of Esther would pass judicial review by Israel's Supreme Court, and that the justices would have refused to hang the genocidal Haman.
"The Book of Esther would not survive the Supreme Court," Negari said. "There are things in the Megillah that would not stand the test of [modern] law. It would be struck down"
"Esther called for a banquet with wine to uncover the [wicked] soul of Haman," Rabbi Nagari explained, retelling the famous scene in the Megillah where Queen Esther reveals to Ahasuerus she is a member of the doomed Jewish people who had been sold into Haman's genocidal hands.
Discomfited, Ahasuerus agrees to her pleas for her life and the lives of her people, but removes himself upon hearing that his advisor Haman is behind the plot.
In Ahasuerus' absence Haman falls on on Esther's couch begging for her mercy, but when Ahasuerus returns he misconstrues Haman's posture as a seduction attempt. "And the king orders Haman to hang."
"If it were today, people would say it was a lynching," Rabbi Negari said. "How do you execute a man without a careful hearing to determine the truth?"
"But, if your people are being grabbed by Nazi murderers, do you stop to hold a trial? It would never happen. When people's lives are on the line, you don't stop to split hairs. You act."
The Book of Esther teeaches us that "you cannot examine justice strictly according to the rules, but also according to the context of events," Rabbi Nagari said.
Rabbi Nagari said justice does not allow one to be merciful to the cruel. "We saw in this week's haftarah, King Saul defied Hashem and showed compassion for Agag the Amalekite, the ancestor of Haman, who later sought Israel’s destruction.”
“There are times not to feel sorry for the wicked,” he said. “Not when it comes to Israel's very survival. There are times when we cannot go according to legalistic rules. "
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7. PA Tells Jordan's FM: No Freeze, No Negotiations
by Elad Benari
Palestinian Authority leaders told Jordan's foreign minister on Wednesday they will not resume peace talks with Israel, unless Israel freezes construction in Judea and Samaria.
The Associated Press reported that Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh explored the possibility of resuming talks in a meeting with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
According to the report, however, Abbas believes there is no point in negotiating with Israel, arguing that there is not enough common ground to close a deal.
Abbas aide Saeb Erekat was quoted by AP as having said Judeh's visit “won’t be followed by negotiations unless Israel stops settlement activities.”
Jordan recently hosted a series of “exploratory meetings” between representatives of Israel and the PA. The peace process remains frozen as Abbas continues to impose preconditions on negotiations.
Last week it was reported that Judeh is set to deliver a letter in which the government of Israel and Palestinian Authority detail their conditions for peace talks to resume.
The letter repeats the PA’s previous demands, which are seen by Israeli officials as an excuse to forestall talks. These include a demand that Israel accept the indefensible pre-1967 lines as a basis for future borders, release terrorists who were imprisoned before 1994, and halt settlement construction in the 'disputed territories.'
The PA is also threatening to cancel all agreements signed after 2000 if Israel does not agree to their demands before peace talks.
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by Elad Benari
Palestinian Authority leaders told Jordan's foreign minister on Wednesday they will not resume peace talks with Israel, unless Israel freezes construction in Judea and Samaria.
The Associated Press reported that Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh explored the possibility of resuming talks in a meeting with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
According to the report, however, Abbas believes there is no point in negotiating with Israel, arguing that there is not enough common ground to close a deal.
Abbas aide Saeb Erekat was quoted by AP as having said Judeh's visit “won’t be followed by negotiations unless Israel stops settlement activities.”
Jordan recently hosted a series of “exploratory meetings” between representatives of Israel and the PA. The peace process remains frozen as Abbas continues to impose preconditions on negotiations.
Last week it was reported that Judeh is set to deliver a letter in which the government of Israel and Palestinian Authority detail their conditions for peace talks to resume.
The letter repeats the PA’s previous demands, which are seen by Israeli officials as an excuse to forestall talks. These include a demand that Israel accept the indefensible pre-1967 lines as a basis for future borders, release terrorists who were imprisoned before 1994, and halt settlement construction in the 'disputed territories.'
The PA is also threatening to cancel all agreements signed after 2000 if Israel does not agree to their demands before peace talks.
More on this topic
Comment on this story
8. Netanyahu Returns to Israel: We Can Defend Ourselves
by Elad Benari
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu returned to Israel on Wednesday afternoon, following his visit to Canada and the United States.
In Canada, Netanyahu met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and in the U.S. he met with President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
While in the U.S., Netanyahu also spoke at the 2012 AIPAC Policy Conference and stressed that he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
Upon landing Netanyahu said, “I return from a very important visit to the U.S. and Canada. I was received warmly, we have many courageous friends.”
He added, “We are returning for Purim, and this evening we will read in the Book of Esther about those days in which Jews were not masters of their fate and could not defend themselves. Today we are in a different world and a different era; we have a strong state and army. The threats have not disappeared, but we can defend ourselves. We have very many friends that stand at our side and will do so at all times.”
During his meeting with President Obama, Netanyahu gave him a copy of the Book of Esther, and took the opportunity to draw a parallel between the narrative in the book, wherein the wicked Haman seeks to destroy the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire, and Israel's modern day conflict with Iran.
Iranian leaders – including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – have repeatedly called for the destruction of the Jewish state, referring to Israel as a "one bomb state." Iran is geographically Persia and the Iranians are descendants of the ancient Persians.
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by Elad Benari
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu returned to Israel on Wednesday afternoon, following his visit to Canada and the United States.
In Canada, Netanyahu met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and in the U.S. he met with President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
While in the U.S., Netanyahu also spoke at the 2012 AIPAC Policy Conference and stressed that he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
Upon landing Netanyahu said, “I return from a very important visit to the U.S. and Canada. I was received warmly, we have many courageous friends.”
He added, “We are returning for Purim, and this evening we will read in the Book of Esther about those days in which Jews were not masters of their fate and could not defend themselves. Today we are in a different world and a different era; we have a strong state and army. The threats have not disappeared, but we can defend ourselves. We have very many friends that stand at our side and will do so at all times.”
During his meeting with President Obama, Netanyahu gave him a copy of the Book of Esther, and took the opportunity to draw a parallel between the narrative in the book, wherein the wicked Haman seeks to destroy the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire, and Israel's modern day conflict with Iran.
Iranian leaders – including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – have repeatedly called for the destruction of the Jewish state, referring to Israel as a "one bomb state." Iran is geographically Persia and the Iranians are descendants of the ancient Persians.
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