Book of Esther, being celebrated right now. Haman was the original Hitler, only in Persia.

He got what was coming to him.

One of my fave stories...from The Prequel.

...and ... does a Purim celebration really involve singing around a dinner table loaded with a fancy feast...

Is this a food thread? I didn't eat breakfast yet...I'm hungry!

It's a three cornered pastry filled with any of several sweet things, could be prune, apple, something we call "mun" or "mon" which is like poppy seeds in honey.

A couple of explanations of the name are Haman's hat (three cornered was the style of the day), or possibly Haman's ear, or even the triangle shaped flap on a man's pants pocket...most go with the hat theory.

Now I gotta check out DMV's link...

In Temple, when the story is read, the congregation boos and uses those noise makers whenever Haman's name is said.

Is that Tennessee Ernie Ford ? 😱

Nah.

interesting editorial in today's Boston Globe Ideas section by Jacoby...the rise of anti-semitism world wide as the distance grows from The Holocaust...and he skewered both far right and far left while warning that the off limits signs that have been in place in the US for decades are crumbling, despite findings by the Pew Research Center in surveys that conclude Jews are "the most warmly regarded religious group in America", for the second time in three years.

At least 140 bomb threats on Jewish community centers and organizations in the USA...since January!

I dunno Alan, not sure anyone could be really prepared for times like this, especially after the wonderful way we have been allowed to flourish in this greatest of all nations.

I'll apologize to those who have grown tired of my bleating about this once or twice a year, but Purim, despite the joy it brings us and the carnivals attended by families at their Temples, always reminds me to Never Forget. That's the only way to be prepared, I suppose.

not disputing at all, despite the fact that many deeply devout innocent people have perished. The following generations (including mine) are here because no one has been able to make us forsake our religion...going back thousands of years.

Faith alone is not the preventive medicine.

The Book of Ester never mentions God.

For eternity's sake faith seems to suffice

But yes, we are certainly charged with being Gods hands and feet on earth.

Many of us Christians regularly pray for Israel and the Jews.

I have a feeling that a large scale physical fight (on top of the spiritual one) isn't far off.

yet between the lines one must understand that the plan to extinguish ALL the Jews was based on their beliefs.

Mordecai was a great leader.

And Frank, today I preached about the tragic disrespect and threats against both sons of Abraham: Isaac & Ishmael.

I know you do, I know.

I would have applauded, as you know.