George Eliot is credited with saying, “History repeats itself.” Mark Twain sharply improved on it with his observation that “history doesn’t repeat itself – but it does rhyme.” No matter how much things may change, one constant always remains: the Hamans of the world, the Jew haters who seek “to destroy, to murder and to bring to an end all Jews, from young to old”, are somehow forever with us.
It was foretold in the Torah. In the first battle against Amalek, prototype of the anti-Semite throughout the ages, we are informed that although the Jews won the fight, Joshua only “weakened” our enemy. Amalek survived. He continues to plague us in many disguises – masks which have become part of Purim ritual to remind us that people often conceal their true intentions under the guise of noble goals even as they plot the genocide of our people.
What happened in Shushan is the story of our people throughout the ages. It isn’t just ancient Persia, the persecutions and the pogroms of the Middle Ages or even the Holocaust of the 20 th century. Tragically it is the story once again of our own times. Not only Persia/Iran but sophisticated France, cultured England, educated Europe and the rest of the “civilized world” are again proving the truth of Elie Wiesel’s insight that “the only thing we have learned from history is that we do not learn anything from history.”
As we recall the Purim story once again, its warning of enemies who seek our destruction assumes such powerful relevance even here in the United States today.
Let me remind you a little bit about the Jews in Persia of old. When King Achashverosh celebrated his ascent to the throne he threw a huge party to which all were invited. Jews were welcome guests. The drinking was in accord with people’s different faiths. In retrospect, a bill decrying hatred against any and all minority groups would almost certainly have passed in the Persian Congress. Yet it only took a short while for Haman to turn his strategy of genocide into national policy.
What was the key to Haman’s success? His speech is recorded in the Megillah:
And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and separate among the peoples throughout all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws differ from [those of] every people, and they do not keep the king's laws; it is [therefore] of no use for the king to let them be (Book of Esther 3:8).
The Jews have dual loyalty!
That is their crime. Ilhan Omar didn’t invent the brilliant lie. It’s always been Amalek’s secret weapon. Hitler knew it. Stalin knew it. Read the Torah on the way in which Pharaoh was able to turn the Egyptians against the Hebrews – the same Egyptians who had been saved by the wisdom of Joseph – and you will find the similar strategy:
“ He said to his people, ‘Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we are. Get ready, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they increase, and a war befall us, and they join our enemies and wage war against us and depart from the land’” (Exodus 2:9 – 10).
Winston Churchill famously said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before truth puts on its boots.” The lie of Jewish dual loyalty is perpetuated by the Hamans of history even as Jews wherever they reside prove the truth of the promise given by God to Abraham that “I will bless those who bless you.”
Purim, happily, is not merely the story of anti-Semitism; it is the biblical record of a major victory over a nefarious anti-Semite. And perhaps the most ironic part of the story is a truth made famous these past few weeks by a contemporary Jew hater.
Ilhan Omar is right; “It’s all about the Benjamins.”
For Omar “the Benjamins” – a reference to American hundred- dollar bills – was her despicable insinuation that Jews, as the forged Protocols of the Elders of Zion long ago put it, control the world behind the scenes with their money.
For the Book of Esther, “the Benjamin” was revealing to us at the outset that Mordechai was “Ish Yemini”, from the tribe of Benjamin. And why was that so significant? The rabbis explain that was the reason Mordechai was able to counter Haman’s libel and to demonstrate to us throughout the ages how best to overcome our enemies.
While others bowed down to Haman, Mordechai refused. It was a trait he inherited genetically. The rabbis tell us that when Jacob met with his brother Esau he bowed down to him. According to some commentaries, it was a sin for which he would be held accountable. And 11 of Jacob’s sons bowed down as well. Only Benjamin, who was not yet born, did not bow. And so Mordechai, a direct descendent of Benjamin, maintained the tradition of his ancestor.
Aware of the threat to their survival, Jews need to put aside their differences and unite in the face of a common enemy.
The man who would not bow down to an enemy in humble submission is the one who encouraged Esther to similarly stand proudly and firmly, without embarrassment or fear, and speak up on behalf of our people. “Who knows,” he told her, “if not for a time such as this have you been placed in this position of rulership.”
Mordechai and Esther are the heroes of the Purim story because they refused to cower before those who sought to destroy our people. They spoke out against their Haman with all of their strength. It’s all about the Benjamins and those who refuse to remain silent when enemies again plot “the final solution” for Israel and for our people.
Maybe it isn’t a coincidence that all this is happening at the very time Jews around the world are celebrating Purim. History records not only the recurring story of anti-Semites and anti-Semitism. It also confirms the Divine intervention that has invariably assured our survival. And this miracle – in the one biblical book in which God’s name isn’t mentioned even once – is a miracle we desperately need today: The miracle of Jews, aware of the threat to their survival, who put aside their differences, united in the face of a common enemy, and collectively recognize that it must’ve been for “a time such as this” that we are given the opportunity to partner with God.
(42) Anonymous, April 1, 2019 1:25 AM
Excellent article.
I appreciate your excellent article, and want you to know you have friends who love Israel and the Jewish people.
(41) Leah, March 20, 2019 10:10 AM
Spot on always
As usual, Rabbi Blech, spot on.
(40) Anonymous, March 20, 2019 6:12 AM
Great article
Thank you
(39) Nan Griffiths, March 19, 2019 1:31 PM
I think the modern day Esther in this story would be Fox news Judge Jeanine Pirro. She was fired for standing up for the Jewish people in her comments against Omar. That stood out to me right away as I read this story.
Anonymous, March 20, 2019 11:34 AM
Nan you said it perfectly
Nan you said it perfectly. If we listen carefully to Judge Pirro's words, she said nothing wrong. We need more Judge Pirro's on television and in the main stream media to speak truth to power. How sad that a Jew hating person (Omar) is still on the foreign relations committee in our Congress.
(38) Anonymous, March 17, 2019 10:54 PM
Brilliant 'Benjamins' insight!
Absolutely fantastic "vort" on 'ILL' han OhMy's twisted words!!
(37) Anonymous, March 17, 2019 10:47 PM
Teacher for Social Study
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(36) HERB WEISMAN, March 17, 2019 7:04 PM
A GOOD ARTICLE
THIS IS A GOOD ARTICLE, BUT WE CAN GO BACK FARTHER THAN GEORGE ELLIOT OR MARK TWAIN. KOHELAT, CHAPTER ONE, VERSE 9, SAYS "THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN."
(35) Monty Pogoda, March 17, 2019 6:05 PM
Very good article
Well written and very much to the point
(34) Ari Marks, March 17, 2019 5:17 PM
Omar was half correct (with me at least)
I do not have dual loyalty, one loyalty being to Israel and the other to the US. I have only one loyalty and that is to G_d and other Jews. This does not negate having respect towards the US. As Jews, when has our allegiance to G_d and other Yidden required us to act maliciously toward our host nation? (Some) Muslims commit violent "jihad"; we Jews do not.
(33) Mark Bergman, March 17, 2019 3:53 PM
Blech's Big Blind Spot
Thank you for posting this article. Omar certainly referenced anti-Semitic tropes in her tweet; that is something which she addressed by supporting the anti-hate resolution in the US House.
By contrast, President Donald Trump and many of his fellow unrepentant White Nationalist/Republicans refused to support the anti-hate resolution, don't see White Nationalism as a rising threat, and offer words of comfort and support to Neo-Nazis. They are an existential threat to pluralism and religious liberty in the United States. THAT is where your focus should be.
Respectfully,
Mark
Keith, March 17, 2019 5:58 PM
Because white nationalism is not a real threat. What are there, maybe 1000? 2000 Nazis and the added states? The Ku Klux Klan is done. There are new members. Jew hatred comes from the left and from Islam today. On nearly all right wing website you will find commentary you crying anti-Semitism. You’ll find the opposite I left wing websites.
Anonymous, March 18, 2019 11:52 PM
The KKK came from the Democrats
Keith thanks for your comment. For those who live in Israel and may not know the history, the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) was originated by the Democrats and so were the Jim Crow Laws; the President who set the slaves free in the American Civil War was a Republican. The slave holders in the 1800s were Democrats in the South. So I do get tired as an American of my fellow Americans claiming erroneously that Trump is associated with white nationalists. The 'anti-hate- resolution' in our Congress would not punish Congresswoman Omar in any way and that was one of the main reasons a few Republicans said No. In addition, we did not need some general statement against hate...something we all learned in 2nd grade. We needed a statement against anti-Semitism, specifically against Jew hatred. But the anti-Israel new members of our house twisted the issue into something that did not punish the Israel bashing and Jew hating new member Ms Omar. That was a real shame.
(32) Anonymous, March 17, 2019 6:22 AM
Query funding and motivation "IFNOTNOW"
receiving awful propagandist nonsense from this organisation called IFNotNow, run by Jews and in full well-funded support of those nefarious towards us. Would like to know the motivation and funding behind them. Their misguided philanthropy is well analysed in "Industry of Lies" by Ben-Dror Yemini.
(31) Jackie Cohen, March 17, 2019 12:23 AM
Jews please wake up Look around you if in the Congress they are allowed to display their anti semitsim and it is not even accnowledged
(30) Frances, March 16, 2019 8:01 PM
Thank you but....
You forgot The Spanish Inquisition which has been going on for 500 years....we are the descendants of them Sephardim ....we are still here.
(29) Lnda, March 16, 2019 7:10 AM
Ezek 37 & 38...hooks of anti -Semitism inserted by Hashem?
(28) Me, March 15, 2019 10:21 PM
Linda sarsour and other moslem activists
Linda sarsour and other moslem activists excitingly rush to congress to encourage the 2 new islamist reps in their jihad on israel. The story of esther fits as she proclaims to king achashverosh how can i be silent when my people are targeted for extirmination. We also need to learn from her and as pro palestinian activists rush in excitement to endanger millions of our people we must certainly be even more zealous as esther to stand up to them
(27) Naahama Email, March 15, 2019 7:21 PM
It is hard to understand why she should act like that to much hateful she need to be trained or learned and be com Passionate to all Americans and to others not attacking with arrogance words to the community she hate From the beginning I don’t know her but she demonstrates who she is I don’t trust her at all And she is on the international committee I wonder maybe we are going to see more disappointment from her Better she should resigned
(26) Deborah Litwack, March 15, 2019 6:45 PM
Great article
I SOOOOOO agree!
(25) Gerald Schroeder, March 15, 2019 1:31 PM
superb
superb frighteningly true
(24) Carole, March 15, 2019 12:12 PM
Rabbi Blech always makes wonderful connections between the past and the present. I appreciate his insight.
(23) Anonymous, March 15, 2019 10:32 AM
Wake up!
I agree with a former post. How can Jews stand with the Democrats? They have let this anti Israel speech go on unchecked and these who hate the Jews are getting bolder. It makes me wonder, what kind of people voted them into office
Anonymous, March 18, 2019 12:01 AM
Hello 'wake up'
I was one of the former posts. I guess you ca'nt talk about Trump in a positive way. Or the terrible polices of the Democrats. I pray for Israel the Jewish People and the USA. Shalom! Pray to Elohim for guidance. The word is out of control.
(22) Eugene Fisher, March 15, 2019 3:55 AM
Excellent
As a Catholic who teaches Jewish-Catholic Relations: History and Theology and the Hebrew Scriptures: History and Theology for a major Catholic university, I found this article, in which Jewish history, Jewish theology, the TaNaCh and contemporary events absorbing and quite accurate on all accounts. I will share it with my Jewish and Christian friends who are also interesting in promoting Jewish-Christian dialogue and working together for tikkun olam for all humanity.
Dr. Eugene Fisher
(21) Scott Dobbs, March 15, 2019 1:14 AM
SOLIDARITY
I pray that Jewish people understand that there are untold millions of us who are not privileged to be Jewish who stand shoulder to shoulder with them and always will. Right is right! AN EARLY SHABBAT SHALOM to all my beloved Jewish brothers and sisters around the world!
(20) ananamous, March 14, 2019 9:07 PM
She wants everyone to hate Jews
How did she even pay to go to an ivy school and get into Congress in the first place.Why does someone come to live here from another country and then blame the country they came to ?.Why is this terrorist Jew hater even here?
(19) William N Liebman, March 14, 2019 8:27 PM
Why Stand with the Democrats?
I am utterly amazed that any Jew stands with the Democratic Party. The Democratic party is no friend of American Jews (nor any Jews). Look at how Obama acted in regards to Israel. Now we have Pelosi who as Speaker of the House did not dare use the words antisemite and antisemitic in regards to Ilhan Omar.
The Democratic party was/is no friend of Jews. The party was a founder of the KKK, enacted Jim Crow laws and fought civil rights. My parents and I immigrated to the US in 1950. I remember water fountains labeled "For Colored Only", Coloreds could only sit in the back of the bus etc.
As the Democratic party shifts further and further to the left what in the world makes us think that think they would support Jews.
David Fuhrmann, March 15, 2019 3:09 PM
Why are so many Jews voting democat?
I would like for some Jewish people to explain to me why a majority of Jews are voting Democrat. What am I missing?
Anonymous, March 18, 2019 11:56 PM
Sadly David the first religion of too many liberal Jews is not Judaism
As I have heard a very smart commentator say, the reason so many Jews in America seem to vote against Israel's best interests and stay with the Democrats is because their first religion is liberalism , not Judaism. Liberalism has become more important than Judaism for some Jews. It is sad but true.
However, recent surveys are showing that very recently, Jews are more unhappy with the Democratic party.
(18) matis, March 14, 2019 7:54 PM
not to nitpick
shir hashirim also doesn't have Hashem's name ...
(17) Hussein Mohamed Warsame, March 14, 2019 6:37 PM
Teacher and head of the hostel Education
Tsaddikim. Upon the righteous, upon the pious, upon the elders of your people of the house of the ISRAEL, upon the remnant of their schoolers, upon the righteous converts,may Your compassion arise, O Hashim our God, and give good reward to all who sincerely believe in Your Name. Including us with them forever, and let us not be ashamed, for we put our trust in You. Blessed are You, Hashim, the stronghold and assurance of the righteous.
(16) Phutoli, March 14, 2019 6:04 PM
Excellent coverage as why we should honour G-d. And Him alone. His eyes is on Israel fear not.
Elohim will never leave Israel. He reveals only when Israel humbles before Him. May a righteous generation who do not bow down before idols and men rise up in this generation.
(15) Anonymous, March 14, 2019 4:33 PM
Wonderful article. A Purim gift.
(14) Frances Weingarten, March 14, 2019 4:21 PM
Ilhan Omar's hatred
Ilhan Omar is a sorry excuse for a woman. She is so full of hate that her life must be one long hell. It would seem that this hatred, rather than harming us as Jews, has destroyed her abillity to find pleasure, to enjoy her life and to see the beauty of the world she lives in. She has left herself no place to be or to go to and unless she can come to terms with her world, she is destined to continue to live the hateful life she has created for herself.
(13) Anonymous, March 14, 2019 4:17 PM
The Last Paragraph Says It All
Thank you. It is time for Yisrael to be Yisrael, not Dems or Republicans. Not Trump and anti-Trump. To allow youself to be associated with a President that refused to condemn the KKK, who lacks integrity of the highest order just because he symbolically does something for Israel is not enough. Not Askenasi or Sephardic or Mitzrahi. One day we are found favorable amongst the nations, Christians included, then the next moment comes the pogroms. Economic stress brings out the best and worst in people. The populace will always seek someone and some group to blame.Politicians only go along with the wind. Now it may be Muslims, or China, or immigrants, or the poor or the rich, but eventually, it will be us.
Hugh Kessler, March 18, 2019 4:06 PM
Get your facts right
Though I agree with most you say about sticking together, stop the lies about Trump. He did not back the KKK. His statement was that there were good people in both sides of the issue about removing the Confederate statues. You left wing press twisted his words to make him look bad.
(12) ELIOR ISRAEL, March 14, 2019 3:58 PM
Chevre,
This is a very powerful yet relevant story. Note well that Amalek is not just relegated to a certain "people" but rather to the evil in humans regardless of ethnicity or race. Thanks for your insight.
(11) Jack Finegold, March 14, 2019 3:39 PM
Jews in Congress
Where are the usually loud spoken Feinstein and Schumer?!! I hear nothing from them! Dear brother and sisters on the left - your open border policies brought in more Muslims that hate us now they will dwarf us in numbers and money, the Dems will care more about their vote which comes with a flip on Israel. Wake up
(10) Lee Smith, March 14, 2019 3:37 PM
A Narrow Bridge
Well said but only part of the story— lots of danger to the left but also lots of danger tonthe right.
(9) Peter, March 14, 2019 3:08 PM
Ilhan must know
Ilhan must appreciate that the country where she was hosted from birth to America Kenya, is among the best friends of Israel in the region. She should return here for education on Kenya love for Israel'
Livia Rotari, March 14, 2019 3:22 PM
Somalia not Etiopia
I think she is from Somalia
(8) Linda Corrine Porter, March 14, 2019 3:02 PM
Confronting lies
Jewish p.r. people need to be Pro-Active. It seems to me you respond with to little, too late. I am very pro active for Israel and the descendants of Abrahan. For the life of me, i do not understand why you do not get out there and actively promote the absolute benefits of being jewish. And quit being afraid of promoting your Positive history. I tell the story of Ancient and modern day history wherever I have an opening. American youth(I'm 80) are incredibly stupid about. Our history and international history, especially arab history in the early formation of the so called palestinians. My goodness, confront in the public square who these people really are! And for heavens sake teach on the public forum (cnn,msnbc, and fox the other 3 networks) where the name palestine came from. Fight publicly with archeology and history. People are too lazy to ferret out these facts for themselves and believe what they here through the often dishonest media. I could go on and on, but I won't. That brainwashed child now has access to our international secrets and can pass them on to G-d knowss who.
(7) Anonymous, March 14, 2019 2:46 PM
the Purim story vs. words os some congresspeople
This article should be sent to all people in congress. Mainly Nancy Pelosi
Anonymous, March 15, 2019 12:00 AM
To anonymous about Pelosi
I don’t think you realize that Pelosi is too scared of losing her seat as Speaker of the House and being called an Islamophobe. I’m sure she realizes what’s happening and that not only Omar but Tlaib but others havd been changing the traditional Demorcratic party into something else. I would send this to the Jews who vote Democrat. I personally don’t know how the Jews in Minneapolis were able to vote for her in the first place. All they had to do was read her history on Twitter and social media to see what she had said in the past against Jews as well as her ties to CAIR.
Sadly, even though Pelosi has many Jews in her district in San Francisco Bay Area, she is out to protect herself and career as Speaker of the House.
(6) MESA, March 14, 2019 1:40 PM
This article is wonderful and full of chizuk. I particularly love the way Rabbi Blech turned Ms. Omar's words back onto her for our advantage. Brilliant. May this Purim be the end of all our enemies.
Mordechai, March 17, 2019 7:51 PM
V'Nahafoch Hu (Turnaround)
That's the theme of Purim! Just as Haman was hung on the gallows he prepared for Mordechai, so too will Ilhan Omar's remarks come back to haunt her. Yes, it's all about the Benjamins, namely Rabbi Benjamin Blech and other courageous leaders who won't kowtow to the Hamans, er I mean Omars of the world!
(5) Raymond, March 14, 2019 5:50 AM
Such Brilliance, Such Wisdom
It is absolutely brilliant, insightful articles like this one that make me dream of becoming a Rabbi one day, or least sounding just like one. I have known Rabbi Blech for several decades now, both through his writings as well as hearing him speak in person, and he never fails to make Judaism the most exciting, well-worth-it venture that any of us can explore in this world of ours.
I have to admit to feeling really down as well as frankly scared about all the rising tide of antisemitism that all of us have seen lately. What makes it so much worse is that this time, America itself is apparently involved in increasing antisemitism, at least among the Far Left, which many say has seized control over the Democratic Party. But then I read the above article by Rabbi Blech, and suddenly I no longer feel a sense of panic anymore. Everything really does fit into history, and there really is nothing new under the sun. The present-day antisemitism, like everything else in life, comes and goes, waxes and wanes, and we just need to learn to ride it through, to patiently wait for thing to turns favorably once again toward us Jews.
(4) Rachel, March 14, 2019 2:30 AM
Character is not genetic
I don’t disagree with the overall article, but scientifically, I know of no research that suggests that that character is a genetically inherited trait. It can certainly be passed along in families, but that is not because of genes. Those who ascribe evil traits to entire ethnicities use that lie all the time. I am with MLK: we should judge others not on the color of their skin (or any other ethnic trait) but on the content of their character.
Eli, March 14, 2019 2:18 PM
spiritual DNA
I think he was speaking about spiritual genetics, not physical DNA. We find this idea throughout Tanach and the commentaries in which the Avos pass on their spiritual achievements to their descendants.
(3) Fred Goldenson, March 13, 2019 5:59 PM
Another spot on teaching by Rabbi Blech
Thank you for again sharing your wisdom with us. There is so much to learn from our history. All we need is to learn from it and see that badness is exposed and rally against it.
(2) Alan S., March 13, 2019 4:36 PM
As always, a superb analysis by Rav Blech.
"What do I think of Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea." - Mahatma Gandhi quote
Raymond, March 16, 2019 3:12 AM
Gandhi the Hypocrite
Given his open hostility to the Jewish State of Israel, I am not sure that Gandhi had enough moral standing to justify judging all of Western Civilization like that.
(1) Anonymous, March 13, 2019 1:14 PM
The more things change...
Thank you for these powerful insights, Rabbi Blech.
Your articles are always on target.
Interesting that we have a modern-day Benjamin, PM Binyamin Netanyahu, who stands up for Israel and does not cower before the nations of the world.