Israel was still mourning its dead from the attack on a Jerusalem bus when a blast in Tel Aviv a day later sent shock waves across the nation. Jerusalem had been the target of Hamas militants in an attack Sunday and two attacks last week. But Monday, it was Tel Aviv’s turn. Shortly before 4… More ▸
The holiday of Purim commemorates the time when Queen Esther saved the Jews of Persia from a plot by Haman, King Ahasuerus’ cruel minister. Purim is not a solemn day. Celebration begins is the synagogue when the story of the courageous Esther is read. Children dress up in costumes and spin noisemakers at the mention… More ▸
The holiday of Purim is the record of three great achievements in Jewish history – and of one huge mistake. At this moment, American Jewry is on the brink of a major decision which will affect its relationship with Israel. If we grasp the lesson of the holiday, it might save us from repeating an… More ▸
“The works of My hands are drowning in the sea and you are rejoicing?” With these words, God, in the view of the rabbis, rebuked the angels who were celebrating the Israelite crossing of the Sea of Reeds and the drowning of the pursuing Egyptians. It is these words that come to mind in the… More ▸
People who love Purim have an extra reason to celebrate the holiday this year: For the first time in a decade, Purim in Jerusalem is a three-day affair. Throughout Israel, a carnival mood reigns as small children and their older siblings parade down the streets in brightly colored costumes, inspired by everything from the Scroll… More ▸
Moscow Jews celebrated Purim with a gala evening of comedy and song in the capital’s Taganka Theater, on the eve of what promised to be another stormy session of the Russian Congress of People’s Deputies. But few see the latest showdown between President Boris Yeltsin and his archrival, conservative Parliament speaker Ruslan Khasbulatov, as threatening… More ▸
While many secular Israelis rush to the beach on Rosh Hashanah, and many fervently Orthodox Jews ignore the wail of memorial sirens on Martyrs Remembrance Day, everyone, it seems, loves Purim. Due to begin in most places on Saturday night, and in walled cities such as Jerusalem on Sunday evening, Purim can be called Israel’s… More ▸
Israelis celebrated Purim in a nervous mood Thursday. The festivities were marred by fear in the aftermath of Tuesday’s fatal knife attack in Jaffa, the latest in a series of Arab assaults on Jews. Tension peaked in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, where a young Israel Defense Force officer mistook Israeli revelers wearing Purim costumes… More ▸
Months before Iraqi Scud missiles began to rain on Israel, long before the ground war began, the Brooklyn-based Lubavitcher rebbe predicted that the Persian Gulf war would end on or near Purim. A young member of the Hasidic movement, a chaplain serving in the U.S. armed forces, went to the rebbe one Sunday in November… More ▸
The Persian Gulf war is influencing how Israeli youngsters will dress when Purim festivities begin Wednesday night. Favorites among the kids include the camouflage outfits worn by American soldiers operating Patriot anti-missile batteries. But according to one toy shop, the most popular item is a child-size Israel Defense Force uniform, which comes with a pair… More ▸
