Happy Purim!

Today is Purim in Jerusalem.  The festival began a day later here since Jerusalem is a "walled city."  Fireworks have been announcing the approaching festivities for days now.

Purim remembers God's saving action on behalf of exiles in Persia.  To that end, God used Esther and Mordecai against the arch-villan, Haman.

One would not know this somber tone of those events from the frivolity of today's celebrants.  My impression of Purim is that it could easily be a cross between Halloween and Mardi Gras.

Happy Purim!