Sunday, February 19, 2023
Elder of Ziyon
It is written by Ahmed el-Gendy, a professor of Jewish and Zionist studies at Cairo University.
The article argues that the story of Purim is a myth and it is not even a religious holiday for Jews, but merely a political story of fictional antisemitism and of Jewish supremacy.
As evidence, the author points to the website of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, possibly this one, which refers to Haman as antisemitic.
Since the term "antisemitism" had not been coined until the 19th century, al-Gendy opines, it is false to refer to a man who wanted to destroy the Jews of Persia as an antisemite.
He quotes the MFA site as saying, " "Over the years, Purim, which commemorates the salvation of the Jews and the thwarting of Haman's extermination plot, became a symbol of the Jewish people's victory over the rule of antisemitic tyranny."
He therefore concludes that "The whole story of Purim, it seems, exists in order to notify the Jews everywhere that they are in imminent and permanent danger, with no crime they commit except for their being different."
Moreover, "their liberation from this danger (comes from resorting to) trickery, cunning and deceit, then taking revenge on their enemies and their descendants. Their enemies (must be punished,) even if they are innocent, if they are in a position of strength."
In short, Purim isn't the story of the miraculous salvation of Jews from their enemies, but an expression of how Jews use deceit and cunning to destroy their innocent enemies.
If anyone is politicizing the holiday, I think it is this Cairo University professor!
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