Last time I checked, Tel Aviv is not disputed territory in anyone’s book. It isn’t a “settlement,” “occupied” or an “obstacle to peace.” When rockets are launched at Tel Aviv, whether someone pushed the button on purpose or by accident, they are sent for one reason. Evil people seek the annihilation and elimination of the Jewish people. Those rockets are weapons of anti-Semitism, but they are not the only kind.
When anti-Semitic lyrics are shared, when Jews are accused of dual loyalty or of owning the country, controlling the media or using their “Benjamins” to buy elected officials, those are verbal rockets, also weapons capable of great destruction. The rockets from Gaza were met by the Iron Dome high in the sky, exploding them and protecting our brothers and sisters down below.
What were the verbal rockets of Ilhan Omar or Rashida Tlaib met with? The same elected officials who thankfully help supply Iron Dome to Israel failed to provide it to us, their own fellow citizens. Instead of being met with a dome of protection, blowing up such words and accusations, protecting good people below, the House of Representatives allowed them to fall, exploding and causing us great pain, worry and fear. True, there were exceptions. Congressman Ted Deutch, gave an impassioned, compelling, balanced speech on the House floor and we should be very grateful to him. But his colleagues failed him and failed us; they allowed verbal rockets to be launched and, even worse, to land without protecting us. They couldn’t bring themselves to pass a resolution singularly condemning anti-Semitism. And now we have to ask ourselves, if those whom we rely on to protect us fail us, what will we do about it?
When Haman approached Achashveirosh with his diabolical, genocidal plan to exterminate the Jews, he said, “there is a nation scattered abroad and dispersed among the nations.” The Talmud (Megillah 13b) expands on this conversation.
When Haman targeted the Jews for annihilation, he said to Achashveirosh, “Let’s destroy the Jews.” Achashveirosh replied, “Not so fast. I am afraid of their God, lest He do to me what He did to my predecessors.”
Haman relieved the King of that fear when he said, “Yeshno am echad,” which translates literally as “there is a certain nation.” The Talmud quotes Rava, who explains that Haman was telling the King something much more strategic and insightful. Not yeshno am echad, there is a certain nation, but rather yoshnu am echad, there is a sleeping nation. Said Haman, “They have been negligent of mitzvot, they are divided, fighting with one another about brides playing drums at weddings. They are arguing amongst themselves but at the same time they are fast asleep as to what we want to do and how we threaten them.”
We were on the brink of extinction as a people because we were asleep.
We were vulnerable and literally on the brink of elimination and extinction as a people because we were asleep. Our eyes were closed to what was happening around us. We didn’t take the threats seriously and we didn’t stand up for our right to simply exist. Haman recognized and took advantage that there is a nation that is sleeping. All he had to do was continue to lull the Jewish people into a false sense of security, to breed complacency and apathy, and at that moment he could accomplish his goal of ridding the world of our people.
Indeed, Rabbi Soloveitchik suggested that the true miracle of Purim is that an anti-Semite rose, threatened us, and we believed him. We didn’t excuse him, accept his bogus apologies or say he didn’t really understand what he was saying. We didn’t just reject his tropes, we confronted him, we took him at face value, and we were determined not to let him threaten our people.
Identifying an anti-Semite, taking him or her seriously and doing something about it is nothing short of a miracle.
So how did we survive? What spoiled Haman’s plan? Why did we ultimately triumph over Haman such that we are here today and he is a distant memory? The answer is simple: Mordechai and Esther.
We understand Esther’s heroism. She risked everything: her life, her family, her people, to go out on a limb and confront the king without permission.
But what made Mordechai a hero? If you think about it, Mordechai may actually be a villain, a perpetrator in the story, responsible for initiating the decree to exterminate the Jews of Shushan and beyond.
Would it have been so terrible for him to just bow down? Just once? Not only does Mordechai refuse to bow down to Haman, he insists on antagonizing him by camping out on Haman’s route so that Haman would see him every day and be bothered by the one Jew who refuses to show him honor. Mordechai’s behavior provokes Haman and he responds by declaring his intention to destroy not only Mordechai, but all of Mordechai’s people, the Jews. Even after Haman’s plan has been pronounced, Mordechai continues to snub him.
When Achashveirosh remembers what Mordechai had done to save his life and sends Haman to reward him by parading around publicly, Mordechai could have declined the honor. Instead, he accepts, humiliates Haman and infuriates him further!
And this is the person we consider a hero of Purim? Why? A closer look seems to indicate that Mordechai’s ego put the Jewish people at risk. What was the source of Mordechai’s intransigence?
You might think it’s simple - bowing down was idolatry, one of the three cardinal sins for which we must give up our lives rather than violate. Indeed, the Ibn Ezra suggests that Haman was wearing idolatrous symbols. Rashi comments that Haman had declared himself a deity. Either way, it would seem Mordechai was right not to bow down, he was simply following Jewish law and it was his peers who were wrong for bowing, even if not doing so would mean risking their lives.
But that’s not the whole story. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 61b) says that the law of sacrificing your life rather than engaging in idolatry applies if in fact one is buying into the divine nature of the idol. If one is bowing simply out of fear, one is not liable.
So why didn’t Mordechai simply bow down in an effort to save the Jewish people?
Yes, Mordechai would have been entitled to bow down. To save his life, he could have been apologetic for his Jewishness and submitted to a virulent anti-Semite, bowing down to Haman and his worldview that wants a world without Jews. But Mordechai understood what was at stake.
Mordechai understood the antidote: To stand firm, to stand strong, and to stand as a proud Jew, a Torah Jew.
Mordechai, a humble scholar and righteous sage witnessed the growing anti-Semitism of Haman and his desire to see Jews and Judaism erased and he understood the antidote. If Jews were fast asleep, excusing away even the anti-Semitic “tropes” of their time, the answer was not to bow down, even if it was technically allowed. The answer was exactly the opposite. To stand firm, to stand strong, and to stand as a proud Jew, a Torah Jew.
The answer was to not apologize for being a Jew, but rather to be the proudest and most tenacious Jew, and that is exactly what he did. And this is how is Mordechai is known in the Megillah: “Ish Yehudi haya b’Shushan ha’bira – There was a Jewish man in Shushan the capital.” What do you mean a Jewish man; there was only one? There was a large Jewish population in Shushan!
The Megillah is telling us that true, there were many Jews, but some were abandoning their Judaism and others were failing to stand up for it. The Jewish community was asleep; there was only one Ish Yehudi, an unashamed, unembarrassed, unapologetic Jew.
What happens when Jews stand up for ourselves, when we call out and confront anti-Semitic song lyrics, tropes and yes, call out anti-Semites themselves? By the end of the story, the Megillah tells “fear of the Jew had fallen on them and so no man could stand up against them.” Why? “Because Mordechai, the proud, unashamed, unapologetic and fearless Jew earned the respect of his multitude of brothers, he sought the good of his people and spoke for the welfare of the next generation.”
One of the critical, but too often neglected, lessons of Purim is that the answer to our enemies is not to hide, apologize, or erase our Jewishness. To the contrary, it is to swell with and share our Jewish pride. When we act with confidence and pride, we gain respect. It is no coincidence that Mordechai emerges as a leader not only of the Jewish people, but a dignitary in the Persian government.
The mitzvah of Purim is to get to a point that we can’t tell between cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai. We are very good at the blessed is Mordechai. We look to explain, excuse, justify and see everyone as a blessing. But we need to get to a point of remembering that identifying a Haman and cursing him is as important as blessing a Mordechai. We have to call out an anti-Semite, hold them accountable, hold those whose silence makes them accomplices accountable.
None of us know what the future brings. It could be that we will look back at these few weeks as an aberration, a small moment in time that bigoted voices spoke freely but we will go back to strong support, tolerance and freedom. But it also could be that history will look back at this moment, when members of Congress could espouse anti-Semitic views with impunity, without condemnation or consequence, and identify it as an inflection point, the beginning of defense of Jewish people turned.
This Purim, don’t just dress up like Mordechai; act like Mordechai.
If you share that concern, that uncertainty, the question is: what will you do about it? Certainly we have to write letters, make phone calls, attend rallies and hold anti-Semites and those who fail to condemn them accountable. But there is something else we must do.
We must appeal directly to the American people, to carry ourselves with pride, but also with dignity, honesty, integrity and righteousness. If like Mordechai our neighbors come to know and respect us, they will be intolerant of leaders who dare promote anti-Semitic rhetoric or tropes. If we carry ourselves properly, those we work with, work out with, shop with, or live near will speak out and stand up to demand resolutions of condemnation and removal of voices of hate from critical committees.
This Purim, don’t just dress up like Mordechai; act like Mordechai.
Be an Ish Yehudi.
(25) Harold Landa, March 5, 2020 12:28 PM
Identifying anti-Semites
Senator Joe Lieberman saw this trend 20 years ago; he went independent. A powerful AIPAC speech from a former BLP leader who resigned from his lifelong party because he will not associate with (Corbyn) anti-Semites. Why are Jewish Democrats still colleagues with Hamas, Hizbollah and Iran supporting colleagues like Omar, Tlaib, Cortes etc.? Become an independent, They can still maintain their Democrat views. I find it distasteful to vote for a party that tolerates elected leaders who are avid anti-Semites. Shame on the DNC.
(24) Anonymous, January 6, 2020 12:28 PM
Great, thank you Rabbi Goldberg
(23) Peter, March 27, 2019 7:05 PM
For the love of G-d...
How many times does Hashem say: ‘Be not afraid.’ ...? As many as it takes! Is this aish of worry, bitterness, fear and resentment - or is this Aish of the Torah? What answer did Moses, Joshua or King David give to anti-Israeliism? ‘If G-d is for us, who can be against us?!’ ‘It is G-d’s to avenge, He will repay!’ ‘How can one keep his way pure, by living according to Your word.’ ‘Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.’ ‘Trust in Hashem with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.’ ‘When I am afraid I will trust in You.’ ‘G-d is not asleep! Nor does He slumber!’ ‘...that all this assembly may know that Hashem does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is Hashem’s...’ That Israel is alive and well IS G-d’s answer(the most awesome answer) to anti-semitism - He says, ‘They’re mine! I saved them!’ He saves you over and over for His name’s sake - one day, all Israel will with one blessed and fearless voice say: “ יְהוָ֗ה is our G-d, and we are His people!” Why can that day not be today?
(22) Anonymous, March 26, 2019 12:16 AM
and yet Jews fight me each day when I speak up
I fight each day against anti-Semitism. I wrote three emails to Omar and Tlaib and AOC, Kamala Harris, the womens' march wymyn...like Tamika and Linda Sarsour. I write articles that are rejected by all Jewish journals, even the ones who claim to be Torah Jews.
I am the new Kahane and yet most Jews tell me to shut up. I won't shut up. I also told off three men the other day in my town. I will not allow anti-Semitism.
(21) Deborah Litwack, March 22, 2019 2:48 PM
excellent
Excellent
(20) Anonymous, March 20, 2019 7:38 PM
Great article! Loved the read!
(19) Biney, March 20, 2019 3:18 PM
Missed the Whole Point
The author ignores the whole underlying theme of Purim. To the question What should you be doing to confront anti-Semir Ian?, the answer is so so clear. How did Esther fight it? “Leych kanos es Kol hayehudim b’shushan v’tzomu olai”. Stands proud yes! But the anti Semitic events in Shushan and in every generation from the beginning of the time of Tanach. The scenario is repeated over and over again throughout our history until our own time. These are not spontaneously generated. They are red flags raise by the Ribbono Shel Olam indicating there is something amiss requiring our own introspection and Teshuva. It’s a theme repeated by the Prophets, and the great leaders past and present.
Yoni, March 22, 2019 7:12 PM
Well said
I agree with these sentiments 100%
(18) Anonymous, March 20, 2019 11:03 AM
Re: Making aliyah
I am very proud of my friends who have done so. Someone commented that people make excuses for not doing so, and I disagree with that statement. No two people are experiencing the same life circumstances. At this moment I am working on my Hebrew skills and organizing my very first trip to Israel. Re: How to combat anti Semitism. Speak out whenever and wherever we witness it. Also, we Jews need to respect one another regardless of observance level.
(17) Rachel, March 20, 2019 2:03 AM
I support the House of Representatives resolution
The ink was barely dry when 50 people were murderedin their house of worship, with 30 more sustaining injury.
I am of course referring to New Zealand.
I stand up for Jews and Judaism, but I also stand up for all decent people going about their daily lives. I stand up against Islamophobia and all forms of religious bigotry and racism. I was very proud that my Congressman was one of the sponsors.All decent people need to speak up for themselves AND each other. If we don't, we have not learned a lesson from Nazi Germany: "when they came for me, there was no one left to say anything for me."
Rachel, March 20, 2019 1:50 AM
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Natan, March 20, 2019 5:12 AM
No, it's called self defense
Perhaps you're not aware that the Torah commands us to defend ourselves?
It's obvious from his comment and the context of the article that he is referring to those that are seeking our destruction.
They are not animals. Animals have no free will. They are humans who chose evil.
Rachel, March 20, 2019 3:56 PM
Self-defense and defense of others
I did not say we should not defend ourselves. I said that we should also speak up when non-Jews are persecuted as well. American Jews, in particular, have a proud history of standing up for others who are subjected to mistreatment because of their race or religion.
(16) Gerald Goldberg, March 19, 2019 9:06 PM
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This comment has been deleted.
Yoni, March 20, 2019 12:59 AM
What are you talking about?
The Jewish religion believes that all mankind have a place in heaven, unlike Christianity and Islam. And since the purpose of this world is for the world to come, Judaism is the most benevolent religion.
(15) angelo sturino, March 19, 2019 8:12 PM
The history of Esther
Your article is both enlightening and energizing to the reader that brings light the history of persecution of the Jewish peoples yesterday, today. In my opinion, this is a very critical period of human history , especially for the Jewish peoples globally. We cannot repeat the 1930s and 1940s. Awareness, teaching with the use of technology to spread throughout the globe........ thank you.
(14) Zamira Rajchgod, March 19, 2019 6:00 PM
Advice to European Jewry
There is a question for Rabbi Goldberg, would you give this same advice to our fellow Jews living in Europe - in France, Brussels etc.? From what I've been reading, the men have been warned NOT to wear a kipah, for women not to wear a Magen David etc. to hide their Jewishness. Next to leaving those countries, what should they do?
Natan, March 19, 2019 6:49 PM
Not really any alternative
So many European Jews are finally asking themselves if what they go through is worth it. Many have decided it isn't and have moved to Israel.
They rightly recognize that no amount of lobbying/educating/PR is going to change the tide in Europe. So they move to a place where they can wear a Kipah, magen David, etc.
Some realize that the same can happen in America, so they go for gold and cast their lot with the holy land...
(13) Tuala.Thomas Stancil, March 19, 2019 5:50 PM
Wish all our enemies a long life so they can see us succeed in life.
(12) Susan, March 19, 2019 5:15 PM
The Story and The Meaning
Purim, and the story, I've read and observed for many years, automatically. Today, Rabbi Goldberg, I understand it. Thank you.
(11) Anonymous, March 19, 2019 5:09 PM
Make aliyah
Rather than endlessly trying to fight anti-semitism in the U.S., why not simply encourage Jews to make aliyah? It would certainly eliminate the need for endless letters to the editor, meetings with community councils, as well as strategy sessions in the board rooms of Jewish advocacy organizations!
(10) imjustsayin, March 19, 2019 5:09 PM
what are you doing to confront white nationalism & radicalization ...
What are you doing to confront white nationalism and parts of the Jewish world that are becoming deeply radicalized?
(9) Charles L. Richman, March 19, 2019 4:48 PM
Hate for the Jewish people witnessed.
On 11 March 2011 in Itamar, Israel. Two PFLP cousins breaking into Ruth and Udi Fogel home slit the their throats. They two terrorists then committed the same acts on 11 Yoav and 4 year old Elad. The Awad's decapitated 3 month old Hadas. They proudly confessed committing these heinous acts. Candy was given out in West Bank town squares, cheering celebrated the horror. Soccer fields, playgrounds, and city squares in Judea & Samaria have been named after these suicide murderers. In Kiryat Shmona 10 adults and 8 children were gunned down. In Ma’alot, Israel. Palestine (DFLP) terrorists shot two Arab, Israeli women shot and killed a Jewish couple and then took 105 Jewish children hostage and killed 22. Picture Palestinian children watching TV, Mosques, and schools in the disputed territories bombarded by Jihad against Israel and the Jews on a daily basis. Peace must be taught otherwise the next generation of Palestinians’ will never consider peace with Israel. While working in Israel in from October 2014 to January 2015 there were Islamic Terror Merchants (Suicide-Murderers) who in Har Noff, Jerusalem, killed 5 Rabbis praying during Shachrit; driving to Gush Etzion we were stopped because of Suicide-Murderer’s; then driving back from Tsfat (Safed), then in Mishor Adumim a Suicide-Murderer stabbed customers in a Super Market. My wife and I road the Light Rail in Jerusalem, twice Suicide-Murderer’s attacked Israelis on board a city train. Where is the rage when these atrocities happens to our Israeli brothers and sisters? Since leaving Eretz Yisrael what has alleviated my concerns about the well-being of Israel? Not the murder of 23 and the wounding of more than 100's of Israelis by the knives of hate; not Abbas praising martyrs as they slaughter Israelis; not the killing that continues on Israel’s border within Syria; and not Iran sworn to erase ‘Little Satan’. May HASHEM protect the Jewish State of Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.
(8) jen, March 19, 2019 4:04 PM
i stand with Israel...
May Israel be blessed forevermore. May her enemies come from one direction & run in ten directions.
(7) Pinchus, March 19, 2019 4:03 PM
I directly argue with antisemites and refute their lies.
The internet is full of videos and blogs and comments under news and other articles where antisemites post their lies. For example on YouTube there are many videos and comments under videos that have many antisemites commenting and spreading their poisonous lies. One such video that supports Jews but is full of evil comments under it it titled "why do people hate Jews" and was made and uploaded by a non Jew who calls himself Mr Beats. No one can decide to do anything, without first having an idea to do it. If lies are allowed to spread with no opposition, then open minded people are almost forced to believe the lies and hate Jews too, since they don't see any refutation to the lies. Do we need many more people arguing against the antisemites and showing why their claims are lies and deciet on their part, and not on the part of the Jews as the antisemites are getting away with claiming.
(6) Ciaara, March 19, 2019 3:56 PM
Do the right thing
Do right vs do the popular thing. Very insightful purim do. Tq tq tq. Zero tolerance against race religion sexual bias.
(5) Chana, March 19, 2019 3:37 PM
Jewish Pride Parade
I believe we should hold a worldwide #JewishPride Parade. After I saw that parade in Belgium I feel we need to fight the anti-semitism by showing we are not ashamed to be Jews, we are not fearful and we are not cowering. We are Proud and we’ll shout it out loud. Nothing, political, nothing about Israel, just proud to be Jewish.
(4) Anonymous, March 19, 2019 3:32 PM
Nice Article But ....
This time around, we are confronted by an irrational, hate filled fanatical religious ideology, where all measure of humanity, logic, clear thinking and rationality do not apply. I do not know the answer to this issue of our times and like all of us are very troubled by all of this.
Anonymous, March 19, 2019 5:10 PM
Make aliyah!
(3) Yoni, March 19, 2019 1:18 PM
Don’t make people feel guilty
The simple distinction between Shabbat and the mitzva of living in Eretz Yisrael is that Shabbat is an obligatory mitzva while living in Eretz Yisrael is a non obligatory mitzva, at least according to the Iggros Moshe. I agree with the feelings of your synagogue Rabbi. I too hope very much that we can all make the move. I myself moved to Israel and live there for nine months. When things did not work out due to financial considerations as well as the difficulty of living in a country where we we’re not Fluent in the language, we made the move back to the United States on the advice of our rabbi. I wholeheartedly agree that if someone is able to make the move they should. You were disagreeing with the above mentioned rabbis is silly. It’s similar to a young medical student disagreeing with 10 eminent medical professors. The above mentioned rabbis are Torah giants who have dedicated their entire lives to understand the obligations and meaning of the Torah. We can also do in the Tanoim and Amorim that chose to live in Bavel instead of Eretz Yisrael, do you know better than them as well? My point is not to pick a fight, rather nobody reading these comments should feel any guilt whatsoever if they are able to keep the 612 other mitzvos better out of Israel. May we all have much success in doing Hashems will to the best of our abilities.
(2) Gary, March 18, 2019 10:19 PM
Aliyah
I fought anti semetism by moving to Israel, to stand with Israel.
(1) Natan, March 18, 2019 12:36 PM
Mordechai got out and went to Israel
It's odd that arguably the most significant part of the Mordechai story is left out of this article.
Namely, that he followed Ezra to Israel and they built the second temple (see https://www.ou.org/judaism-101/glossary/anshei-knesset-hagedolah/).
Yes, all the rest is true and necessary, but if we're to follow the example of our greats, we should follow it to the end and and the GOAL of all of that - to go back to Israel and build the temple.
Obviously, both Ezra and Mordechai felt thgis was absolutely critical, even without Mashiach (or, arguably, especially because Mashiach was not "forthcoming" at the moment).
Perhaps, they also realized that whatever efforts they made to "stand up" to Jew hatred in exile was doomed not to have long lasting effect. Obviously, it did not (witness the many attempts at genocide of Jews since).
Something to think about...
Yoni, March 19, 2019 2:38 AM
Following the Example of our Greats
Natan,
There have been many great leaders of the Jewish people that have chosen to serve Hashem out of the holy land of Israel for a variety of reasons. Where they all mistaken? Most recently in the last generation we had great leaders such as R Ahron Kotler, R Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Soloveitchik, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Satmar Rebbe, R Yaakov Kaminetzky, the list goes on and on. Where they all perhaps unaware of what you are saying in regards to Ezra and Mordechai? I would think not. More likely, while they recognize that there is a mitzva to live in Eretz Yisrael (even today according to most authorities), there are another 612 mitzvos in the Torah. If one is able to serve Hashem better out of Israel, it would seem to be his sacred duty not to move to Israel.
If one feels that he’s able to serve Hashem better out of Israel, he has nothing to be ashamed about. He should be proud that he’s serving Hashem to the best of his abilities, even if that’s outside of Israel.
Natan, March 19, 2019 7:02 AM
Not about shame
The same reasoning about serving Hashem better in exile was used in Ezra's genration and throughout history since.
Ezra and Mordechai obviously didn't agree.
As long as we, as a whole, perpetuate this age old rationalization, we will be holding ourselves back.
Do we say "let's give up Shabbat, so that we can do the other 612 better"? It's one thing to say "I'm not brave/interested/etc enough to give it a try" (some Talmudic figures at least admit that they should and did not). It is another thing altogether to say it is not required at essence/core.
When we made Aliyah, my community Rabbi from America said he wishes we all merit to do the same. At least he recognized that it is a goal we should be striving for.
And yes, I believe that Ezra and Mordechai would not agree with those Rabbis you listed with respect to this issue. Perhaps if they had made Aliyah it would have changed the course of Jewish history for the better.
Yoni, March 19, 2019 1:20 PM
Don’t make people feel guilty
The simple distinction between Shabbat and the mitzva of living in Eretz Yisrael is that Shabbat is an obligatory mitzva while living in Eretz Yisrael is a non obligatory mitzva, at least according to the Iggros Moshe. I agree with the feelings of your synagogue Rabbi. I too hope very much that we can all make the move. I myself moved to Israel and live there for nine months. When things did not work out due to financial considerations as well as the difficulty of living in a country where we we’re not Fluent in the language, we made the move back to the United States on the advice of our rabbi. I wholeheartedly agree that if someone is able to make the move they should. You were disagreeing with the above mentioned rabbis is silly. It’s similar to a young medical student disagreeing with 10 eminent medical professors. The above mentioned rabbis are Torah giants who have dedicated their entire lives to understand the obligations and meaning of the Torah. We can also do in the Tanoim and Amorim that chose to live in Bavel instead of Eretz Yisrael, do you know better than them as well? My point is not to pick a fight, rather nobody reading these comments should feel any guilt whatsoever if they are able to keep the 612 other mitzvos better out of Israel. May we all have much success in doing Hashems will to the best of our abilities.
Anonymous, March 19, 2019 5:13 PM
Ben-Gurion urged American Jews to make aliyah way back in 1948. And since then, American Jewry has come up with excuse after excuse to not do so.
Baruch, March 19, 2019 6:29 PM
Mordechai was in Shushan, not Israel
Logic is logic, and your logic is not good, Natan (...though I live in Israel and would like to agree with you). In the Purim story, the Jews are saved from annihilation because at the critical moment when a Jew was needed to stand up for all Israel and all the Jews, Mordechai lived in Shushan.
Natan, March 20, 2019 7:35 AM
You missed the point totally - he went to Israel even though he was victorious in Shushan
I stated that all he did was necessary (maybe you missed that part?), but that he eventually went to Israel.
He obviously didn't believe sticking it out in Shushan was a viable solution - that's the critical point I was trying to make.