Purim, the Book of Esther and the Bible’s violent verses we all ignore

Purim is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, a Persian Empire official who was planning to kill all the Jews, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The book shares with The Song of Songs the curious distinction of never once mentioning God.

The wholesale destruction of the enemies of the Jews is narrated in chapter 9:6

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them.’

This genocide of 75,000 people is never mentioned during the Purim celebrations (also called the Jewish Mardi Gras). Only the joy of the Jews at their deliverance matters.

The Bible’s violent verses tend to get ignored.



Categories: Bible, Jews, Judaism

2 replies

  1. The Israelites were warmongers, occupiers and slave holders, their entire history is based on violence, revenge and merciless wholesale persecution of their enemies. In the name of a cruel, jealous and unforgiving Yahweh, who’s doctrine wouldn’t allow distinction of good & evil, just blind following of his commands through his earthling Moses.The “regime” of Judaism was mirrored and repeated by the terror reigns of Lenin, Mao and Pol Pot with almost ghostly accuracy.
    Today you are wearing their mandated ridiculous face-mask – the modern version of the “Judenstern” (the yellow Star of David Jews had to wear in the III. Reich).
    The prophecies in the Tanakh are coming to pass, not because of the power of a God, but because of the stupidity and historical ignorance of all Goyim!

  2. The 75 thousand were ready and waiting to commit genocide against the Jews.

    They had plotted against the Jews first waiting for the decree before they actually would have attacked.

    Using the same logic that Mohammed used against his enemies the Jews struck first now having the decree reversed and in their favour.

    I guess the moral might be not to strive for decrees that might be reversed and backfire against you.

    This was justice in the ancient persian world. It would be out of place in our modern world I agree.

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