This is inspired by a challenge to compare the Biblical Purim story with today's situation concerning the Jewish People, The State of Israel and our war for survival. Which of today's Israeli and world leaders are like the five main characters, King Achashverosh, Haman, Vashti, Mordechai and Esther of the Purim story?
Fairly easily I was able to decide on the Persian King Achashverosh, who's very much controlled by his advisors and seems terrified or unwilling to move without the approval of his backers. Haman is also easy to name, and he, too, represents a coalition of supporters and advisors. Vashti took a bit more thought to decide on. She had her moment of fame and then was pushed off the stage. Only our two heroes are missing, Esther and Mordechai. Try as I can, I just don't see anyone or team showing the capabilities and daring needed to topple King Achashverosh and Haman.
Following are my three Purim characters of today.
- King Achashverosh- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu
- Haman- US President Biden
- Vashti- former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
Of course if you disagree, I invite you to state your opinions in the comments.
I'll start with Naftali Bennett as Vashti, since she's off stage very early on. Bennett after his great success in high-tech had been Netanyahu's chief of staff from 2006-8, until Bibi kept dampening Bennett's ambitions, jealous of his talents, and threw him out of the palace. A few years ago, Bennett did the impossible and crafted an unthinkable, even miraculous, coalition and became Israel's Prime Minister. In response, Netanyahu showed his antidemocratic fangs and did everything in his power to destroy Naftali Bennett. He succeeded, very much like Achashverosh's banishment of Vashti. Some Bible scholars say that Vashti was from the royal family and married down. The marriage is what gave Achashverosh the kingship.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been in this high office most of the past twenty years, which according to all logic means that he's responsible for the dangerous mess the State of Israel is in. Like the Biblical Achashverosh, he needs reminding... so far, he's still asleep at the wheel. Considering that Bibi was educated in the USA, he should be familiar with Harry Truman's motto:
Instead of acting like a strong sovereign leader, Netanyahu likes to talk tough, but his policies are weak. And it's really embarrassing and dangerous for the State of Israel, that he seems so unsure and halting. The additional members of his "war cabinet," like King Achashverosh's advisors, seem even less competent. In Bibi's case, he brought in the same military men who built the defenses that failed on October 7, 2023. They're all covering their you-know-whats.
American President Biden represents Haman, the enemy. Achashverosh trusts Haman, and gives him so much authority -including his ring for signing national orders. That reminds me of how Netanyahu is sharing our military secrets and plans with Biden and his staff. Bibi is consulting with them, as if we're all on the same "team," using Biden's terminology.
How could Bibi do such a thing? What about our national security? The United States has been training and arming the same Arabs who have been attacking us!!! Don't forget that Chuck Schumer, Biden's stooge, announced to the world that the USA wants Netanyahu REPLACED! Biden confirmed it, and Bibi doesn't have the guts to pull our ambassador out of Washington. Doesn't he have any pride, national or personal? He even makes Achashverosh look good.
Think about it. Something is very wrong.
In the Purim story, early on we see Mordechai planting his orphaned relative, Esther, in Achashverosh's palace. Mordechai was a gutsy rebel. That's the Hebrew meaning of his name. The first three letters מרד mem, resh, daled are the root of mered, rebellion. That's why Haman hated him so. Haman knew well that Mordechai couldn't be controlled by Persian authorities.
I have no idea if an Esther has already been planted someplace where she can turn the tables and bring us victory. Gd willing, she's there, and soon we'll see wonderful miracles.
If Esther and Mordechai haven't yet started their tasks, Gd willing they'll start soon, ASAP or better yet YESTERDAY!
PRAY!!!
7 comments:
I am not sure I have any answers but i like your logic. It is an interesting read for sure. Thanks for the post. Eliana of Shilo :)
Thanks so much. I'm glad we agree.
I agree with you that Bibi should realize that "the buck stops here," and the fact that he was Prime Minister on October 7th means that he definitely should take responsibility for the horrific actions from which we suffered and indeed continue to suffer from. (Sderot is rocketed on a regular basis according to my exercise teacher Arianna who lives there, and Shabbat is a Gehenna for them as the moment it is time to light candles, the sirens blare as they often do during the week. Has anyone reading this blog realized how little time folks have to reach a mamad? Have you ever timed yourself running somewhere for a mere 10 seconds?) In any event, I am not a big fan of Bibi's and have never voted for the Likud. However, I disagree with your words, "Instead of acting like a strong sovereign leader, Netanyahu likes to talk tough, but his policies are weak." Frankly, after the disgusting behavior of the USA which refused to veto the UN resolution against us, it took guts to declare that we are cancelling our delegation that was set to go to Washington and more importantly, Bibi has declared that the IDF will clean out Rafiach with or without support from abroad. I don't call this behavior weak at all. I am pleased that we will be rid of Netanyahu at war's end, but at present he understands the American mindset and I can't think of anyone else who would be doing a better job than he is at present. Hamas has consistently refused all suggestions put forward for a hostage deal, and Biden's ongoing criticism of Israel has bolstered them to hunker down and continue to refuse any such deal. What remains for us is to pray a great deal for our IDF heroes (and heroines) and to support those who are in hotels having been displaced by this war. I have a dear friend from Nir OZ who was murdered by the scum over the border, Judih Weinstein Haggai, and both her and her husband's bodies are in Gaza. (Both had American citizenship but a Jew is a Jew is a Jew.) May we merit seeing the defeat of Hamas and the return of any hostages that are still alive.
Haman is Hamas, Ahashveirosh is Biden and Mordechai is G-d.
No Jew should be cast for Haman.
Biden is still sending Israel arms.
G-D's name is omitted in Megila.
But He pulls the strings. Biden is torn between opposing camps. Definitely not Haman as whi else gave us protective vetoes till now and non veto is for a non binding resolution till the end of Ramadan only. Very shallow portrayal of yours.⅔
Achashveirosh Returns with Vengeance! by Rabbi Isser Z Weisberg
See shiur here:
Thanks for the comments.
We'll have to agree to disagree.
As an old lady, one who has been following USA-Israel relations for over half a century, I don't see true friendship from the American government. That's with the exception of Donald Trump.
Netivotgirl, we agree on most. Until Bibi actually gives the order to cleanup Rafiach etc, he's still just talk. I want to see the walk, the action. I don't take speeches seriously, only policy, actions etc.
Re 10 seconds. For many of us after a certain age, it takes more than that just to properly stand up and start putting one foot in front of the other.
a, I take Free Will very seriously. We're not puppets.
Devorah, Gd willing I'll find the time soon to read it. I haven't been home. Just arrived.
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