I started writing this two days ago but delayed publishing because I felt I should defer to Binyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel as I thought he would touch on the points I intended to make in this post. I am heartened greatly that in fact, he did last night in his speech to AIPAC.

Purim - “The Festival of The Casting of Lots” will be upon us soon. How appropriate and ironic, in so many ways.

Ahmadinejad and the Iranians of today should read it well or, since it is written in Hebrew, have it read and translated accurately for them. It’s right there. In plain sight… If you are not blinded by hatred.

It is on one level a historical document: The story of an attempt by another Amalekite (you’ll need to understand that Jews are commanded not to forget three things: The Sabbath, Slavery in Egypt and the deeds of King Amalek) to destroy the Jews living in Persia (Iran).

It is an allegory as well. In short, you have to know about King Saul and the Prophet Samuel to understand that Saul was commanded to destroy the Amalekites and their livestock completely. Some believe that Saul understood that to mean just killing their King Amalek. Samuel took a far more literal meaning. Apparently some survived…

Anyway, Haman (loud noise) was an Amalekite and plotted the total extermination of the Jews (in fact, the word Jews was first used in The Book of Esther). The plot details are readily available if you’re of a mind to learn them. The Persian King Achashvarosh fell in love with Esther who nursed him through his madness from killing his first wife Vashti (who simply refused to reveal her beauty to the King’s guests), and that love supposedly saved the Jewish people.

It’s also very interesting that G-d is not mentioned in the story.

One could understand the story as saying that the salvation of the Jews of Persia came about by their own hand, and only at the sufferance of the King. That would only be partially true. The Persian King granted Mordechai and the Jews the right to defend themselves from Haman (loud noise) according to The Book of Esther.

That was in the context of a Jewish community living in the Kingdom of Persia.

Did the Persian King really believe that when faced with slaughter, the Jews would sit quietly and let that happen?

To be fair, there are interpretations which involve angels (specifically Michael). Another interpretation involves the Shechinah, which is G-d’s presence on earth in each of us.

In the end, Haman (loud noise) and his ten sons were hanged by Mordechai (not the King) using the noose he intended for Mordechai (the leader of the Jewish community of Persia).

It’s also true that this genocide has been attempted in every generation throughout history. They have failed.

It is also of interest that A.H. (loud noise) started his savagery against the Jews by forbidding the celebration of Purim: Perhaps because he did not wish the Jews to believe there would be a rescue from him, or perhaps because he was another descendent of Amalek, and the holiday of Purim was especially hated by him.

In 1967, when faced with united Arab war plans against her, Israel acted. By herself.

In 1973, when the Egyptian Army “exercise” was misinterpreted, Israel suffered greatly, but won: Only to have that snatched from her by her American “Ally”.

Fast forward to the present and the current situation.

The crux of the current crisis involves Ahmadinejad and a pathologic hatred of the Jewish people and Israel along with seeking a nuclear weapon of mass destruction.

Does anyone doubt he intends to make it and use it? Ahmadinejad believes that hiding his facility deeply underground will protect it from destruction. He believes that the price of oil will protect and enrich him. He believes that he can use uncertainty as a weapon to give him the time he needs to perfect the weapon. He believes threats can cause vacillation.

Netanyahu is responsible for the defense of fully half the Jews on earth and the State of Israel.

He does not take that cavalierly. He (and his two brothers) served in the Israel Defense Forces most elite land based Special Forces Unit: Sayeret Matkal. His brother Yonatan (z"l) was in charge of the rescue of the hostages in Entebbe, and was killed in that action.

Netanyahu and Israel are the embodiment of “Never again.”

Netanyahu sees the critical moment to be the point at which the enrichment facility becomes “immune” to conventional destruction.

Does anyone seriously think he will sit idly by until he cannot act, or a miscalculation leads to a second Holocaust?

It was also ironic that Prime Minister Netanyahu gave President Obama a copy of “The Book of Esther”.

Perhaps it was meant to convey to the President that Israel knows that it is now, as it was then, on its own. Does he think by saying, “I have your back.” PM Netanyahu will sleep easier? 

Did he think that message of noblesse oblige might be lost on a man whose I.Q. is rumored to be in the neighborhood of 180? Why do I doubt Netanyahu will sleep easier having heard that? Could it be because President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus on many occasions to give the impression of being a fair broker? Does President Obama believe he is highly regarded in the Arab world?

So far, Ahmadinejad hasn’t learned the secret of Purim.

A further irony? Queen Esther’s name means (in Hebrew, of course) “I shall conceal”.

What is frequently more concealed than what is in plain sight?

The lesson of Purim (and every other attempt at genocide) is that “If I am not for myself, who will be for me, and when?”, as well as "Never again."

The (loud noise) which appears after the name of Haman and which happens every time his name is mentioned as the Book of Esther is read twice in Synagogues happens to fulfill the commandment “his name shall not be heard.”

Why is it that as I write this, I am reminded of “All this happened before and will happen again.”?

Why do I think that the loud noise Ahmadinejad will hear won’t be noise makers in a Synagogue?