Esther Today

clipped from pajamasmedia.com There was no way to negotiate a modus vivendi with the antisemites;  the royal decree had given them the chance to kill the Jews, and they intended to do it. I have many Iranian friends, across that country’s marvelous ethnic kaleidoscope.  They are variously Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balouchis, Lur, Ahwazi Arabs, and so on.  Many of them take particular delight in pointing out that Persia is the only country to have had a Jewish queen.  Esther.  While antisemites undoubtedly rule Iran, I do not think there is mass Jew hatred in contemporary Persia, and I do not think the descendants of Agag and Haman would hold meaningful power if the Iranians were free to choose their government.  But they do not have that option, and they may live through the latest battle in the ancient war between the Jews are their enemies.  Their story, and perhaps their destiny, too, is part of the Book of Esther.  Most of them, I think, are rooting for the good queen against the Amalekites.