Happy Purim from Jerusalem!

Purim 2014

What a final day for us in Jerusalem!  Today is Purim.  I consider the costumes and revelry akin to Halloween or Mardi Gras.  We were awakened this morning by fireworks.

But the religious meaning is unmistakable.  The day remembers the triumph of the Israelites over oppression at the hands of the wicked Haman.  The heroes were Esther and Mordecai.

Of course, the story is recorded in the biblical book of Esther.  Strangely, the writer never mentioned the name of God.  Therefore, some translations of the Bible omit the book entirely.  The Dead Sea Scrolls do.

Jerusalem is alive today with celebrations.  It is quite a day on which to say goodbye.