Purim

2,500 years in the making: Are the Jews once again turning the tables on Iran?

On the 23rd day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, Queen Esther is said to have allowed the Jews of Persia to fight back against extinction. Has Israel done the same today with Iran?

 An AI-generated illustrative image of US President Donald Trump being handed a parchment from the biblical Queen Esther as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hovering in the background.
 Departure of the Israelites 'Departure of the Israelites' by David Roberts, 1829.

Purim-Passover connection: Uniting the Jews, then building a nation - opinion

 The reading of the ‘Megillah.’

Purim celebrations: Deliverance, customs, and controversies - opinion

 Esther and Mordechai writing the second letter of Purim, painted by Arent de Gelder.

Purim's unacceptable mask: The powerful themes of revenge, evil, and free will


Purim’s lesson: The White Paper showed why Jews must defend themselves - opinion

Unlike in the story of the Megillah and during the Holocaust, Jews are presently defending their homeland, the country that was promised to their forefathers.

 Jews demonstrate against the White Paper in Jerusalem, May 22, 1939.

From sanctuary to near-genocide: Purim's lessons on the path to eradicate the Jews - opinion

Purim marks the first large-scale attempt to eradicate the Jewish nation

 Demonstrators hold placards as they protest on the day of a hearing on the detention of Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, in New York City, U.S., March 12, 2025.

Purim's eternal message: Protecting humanity's moral fiber and maintaining hope

The clouds of confusion will clear, sanity will replace lunacy. The hypnotic spell of postmodern confusion will be broken. What has happened before will happen again. Just read the story of Esther.

The feast of Esther

IDF pulls fighters from Gaza for firing shots during Purim scroll reading

In the video shared on social media, the reservists are seen firing toward Gazan territory upon hearing the name 'Haman' read out by a fellow combat fighter.

 Screenshot from the video of the IDF reservists that was shared on social media on March 14, 2025

Grapevine: Message for Miri

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev.

This week in Jewish history: Purim story, mass suicide, killing of York's Jews

A highly abridged weekly version of Dust & Stars

'Ahasuerus and Haman at the Feast of Esther' by Rembrandt, 1660, at Moscow's Pushkin Museum

Parades, dancers, and superheroes: Israel's children celebrate Purim

IN PICTURES: See the celebration of thousands who gathered across various Israeli cities to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.

 People wearing costumes celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in Holon, March 14, 2025

Raising a glass to Israel: Wine, war, and the spirit of Purim - opinion

KNOW COMMENT: Israeli wine is more than a drink—it’s a symbol of resilience and tradition. This Purim, we raise a glass to history, victory, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.

 SOME OF the writer’s Purim wines from last year, on display at his home. It is fine to again celebrate Jewish redemption and Zionist renaissance by focusing on good (and kosher) Israeli wine, he says.

Purim reminds us that Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran will meet their downfall - opinion

Our enemies spread lies about Israel, portraying the victim as the aggressor. We must counter these lies with truth, educating the world about the justness of our cause.

 THE IDF is on the move in the Gaza border area, entering for a military operation, last October. Just as Joshua led the fight against Amalek, so too do our brave soldiers fight today, says the writer.

Purim Spiel: Dog Birthright, the newest frontier Israeli tourism, caters to the furriest Jews

Purim Shpiel: The following is a satirical article from The Jerusalem Post's annual parodic Purim page, The Jerusalem Roast. Enjoy!

  DOG BIRTHRIGHT promises to connect four-legged friends with all that Israel has to offer.