To say that we live in historic times is an understatement in the extreme, but to proclaim that history repeats itself is the operative, overall headline for this week’s events.
The combined US-Israeli strike on Iran has brought the Purim story vividly to life in a manner unparalleled in 2,200 years.
Jews of faith have always believed that the books of the Bible are not static, stale, long-ago documents, but rather “Torat Chaim” – living, lasting, breathing works of cosmic importance, written by people of flesh and blood yet animated by Divine inspiration.
That reality is being broadcast for all to see in the juncture of the megillah and the monumental events in Persia-cum-Iran. The specter of despotic madmen seeking our destruction is, sadly, nothing new for us.
Yet, along with the rise of Haman and his planned genocide of Persian Jewry, Purim presents another, more atypical scenario: the success of an unlikely man-woman (husband-wife?) duo in undoing the diabolical plot and rescuing the innocent while punishing the criminals.
Haman’s desire to completely eradicate the Jews of Persia – man, woman, and child – mimics the actions of Iran and its proxies, specifically Hamas, which graphically demonstrated its genocidal nature on October 7, when it indiscriminately sought to murder every Jewish inhabitant along the Gaza border.
These are the fingerprints, the modus operandi of Amalek, our arch-enemy throughout the ages. They carry within them the bloodlust for Jewish destruction; their DNA extends from Haman to Chmielnicki to Torquemada to the Nazis.
They cannot be bribed or bought off, pacified or persuaded; they must be confronted and conquered if we are to survive.
Then and now: leaders in the Persian drama
On many levels, Achashverosh and President Donald Trump share similar traits. Both are imposing, dominant leaders with checkered histories.
They are lovers of power – and beautiful women – and both ultimately granted the Jews a free hand in attacking the enemy with devastating force.
But while Achashverosh comes off as being susceptible to manipulation – after all, he does initially sign off on Haman’s insidious plot – Trump has consistently stood by Israel.
He took dramatic stands on our behalf when he recognized Jerusalem as our capital, something all previous presidents had timidly resisted, when he acknowledged our sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and when he canceled the disastrous nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.
He provided the firepower necessary to bomb Fordow’s embedded nuclear facility, and he assembled an unprecedented American military presence in the Middle East in order to back us.
In both the Purim story and our present situation, non-Jewish leaders “had our back,” yet it was left up to us to do “heavy lifting” in the fight against the Persian-Iranians.
While Achashverosh ordered the execution of the plot’s ringleaders, Haman and his sons, and Trump carried out the crucial assassination of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, it was we Jews who waged – and are waging – the larger battle to ensure our well-being.
It also bears mentioning that it was a “Jewish connection” that clearly helped influence the positive outcome of our struggles then and now.
Achashverosh would have a Jewish son, Darius the Second, who ultimately granted permission for the rebuilding of the Temple, and Trump has both a Jewish daughter, a Jewish son-in-law deeply involved in the conduct of this war, and several Jewish grandchildren.
There is an element of “v’nahafoch hu,” a reversal of fortune, that connects Purim past and Purim present.
Throughout our continuous sojourning in the Diaspora, we have always been “acted upon,” as our Jewish communities stoically bore the brunt of hostile actors who continually sought to expel or expunge us from their midst.
But in both the Purim narratives, we are given the ability to forge our own fate, to take matters into our own hands, and to carry our nation further towards redemption.
Purim I represents the first time in Diaspora history that we were allowed to assemble our own army, with miraculous results; Purim II demonstrates just how dominating we can be when our brilliant and brave defense forces rise up like lions in order to confront and defeat our enemies.
With God’s continuing helping hand, we will triumph in this latest, most consequential battle, and we shall bring to our people and to the world at large Purim’s prophetic promise: light and gladness, hope and joy.
The writer is director of the Jewish Outreach Center of Ra’anana (rabbistewart@gmail.com).