Video: Purim & Rationalizing Evil

Torah Reading: Be'halot'cha

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Published: February 22, 2010

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Visitor Comments: 10

(10) Mary, February 25, 2010 7:59 PM

alarm

There is a quadrilateral when a person is evil, crazy, obsessed with anti-Semitism, and has totalitarian power. Having all 4 characteristics can bring into manifestation an evil that one does not see without the other factors. There should be some sort of alarm bell built to recognize when this merger happens. Ahmadinejad of Persia has it. Granted the people of Persia are not crazy and are fighting him but they presently they don't have the power. When the bad are armed and the good is unarmed, the result is a bloodbath, whether the media focuses on it or not. 4 is the number of manifestation. It is interesting that the Nazi symbol had 4 spokes. It is interesting that the Hamantashen by which to remember Haman is a triangle with depth to it as well.

(9) Mary, February 25, 2010 6:58 PM

Excellent!

Excellent point to make at Purim, Thank you Lori. I just looked up why Persia changed its name to Iran and the story on the internet says that the Naziis suggested it to stand for the word Aryan.

(8) Rosen, February 24, 2010 12:55 PM

quick correction on Zionism

When I mentioned Zionism earlier, I meant to say that it is one of the most MISunderstood words that evil minds will use out of context.

(7) Lori, February 24, 2010 5:17 AM

G-d's light in this world

I enjoyed this immensely. I am not Jewish but believe with all my heart that they are G-d's chosen people and through them spiritual light is in our world. I faithfully pray for Israel and the Jewish people's protection and that the Nation's of the world will benefit from their G-d given correct spirtual knowlege and they too may become righteous and pleasing to G-d. I now know what Purim is about and the dire importance of remembering and recognizing evil in the past and yet in existence. We too, righteous Gentiles of the world must do all that we can to protect Israel and support her and her people in every possible way.

(6) Chana, February 24, 2010 2:29 AM

Never forget......

Dear Lori, I always so enjoy your commentary and you are so right by warning us to be on guard and to never forget. Like Hitler and his henchmen, the evil people of our present time are hard at work to put the Jews in the worst daylight possible and to make people believe we Jews deserve to be regarded with suspicion, distrust and total disregard. We must be strong and be aware, just like my parents and grandparents were when they saw the signs early-on of what was to be with Adolf Hitler at the helm......that awareness "saved" us from the deathcamps of Europe. May the God of Israel be with us always.

(5) Andria Hill, February 23, 2010 7:07 PM

Thank you for the reminder.

It is sad to think that the media likes to downplay the threats of those with evil intentions. It is so important for us to be united always...thanks for the reminder!

(4) Anonymous, February 23, 2010 6:41 PM

evil

evil and constant meanness or horrid are all the same. it may nor be fair to link them all, but, on a communal or individual level they work the same. and so we are told to do good not to do wicked. amalek resides on all wicked levels, within and without.

(3) Miriam, February 23, 2010 5:48 PM

Thank you Lori

for making this excellent point!

(2) Annette, February 23, 2010 5:31 AM

so the Purim salutation should then be:

May we all become United at Purim! Chag Sameach!

(1) Rosen, February 22, 2010 7:29 PM

the ongoing evil

For sure, there is ongoing evil against the Jews, among others, and such evil people are able to manipulate and try to justify their ambitions to the point they are appeased. As for Mahmoud Achmedinijad, I don't really see what Israel has ever done to him or the Iranians to the point to have a desire to build nuclear arms aiming toward Israel. Since such evil idealogues are highly unlikely to change their minds, Purim indeed reminds us that we as Jews must express solidarity for Israel and G-d. Historically, almost all of Israel's enemies have been defeated. Also, maybe Zionism is one of the most understood words that such evil anti-Semites ought to get a grip over their phobia with it if they can find compassion. On the right, Jews face people who want to eliminate them all, and on the left, there are those who deny the new anti-Semitism with at least some who have compassion for Hamas and the Palestinians (even though making a compromise with them is utterly impossible - they just want more truces than actual peace agreements/settlements). All in all, when someone is clear on such an agenda to eliminate the Jews and Israel, then there has to be action taken (for example, an employer wouldn't want an employee who threatens and harasses their coworkers on a regular basis). So, it all depends on how much common sense we use in order to obliterate such evil minds, hurdle after hurdle, until Moschiach comes.

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

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Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

May 23, 2013 / 14 Sivan 5773

Purim & Rationalizing Evil

Amalek -- how could we ever forget?

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