Purim – the "Real" Story

One thing’s for sure about Purim – it ‘aint all fiction. As you will see, many of the details correspond neatly with known historical fact.

Another thing is for sure, it ‘aint all fact. Some of the plot twists and commentary in the Book of Esther itself scream out that this is really parody; it’s almost cartoonish in nature. From the snide commentary about women found at the beginning – such as the line that Ahashverosh feared Vashti because her defiance might lead to a cultural revolutions where wives won’t listen to their husbands anymore, to the bloody massacre described at the end in almost giddy tones, this is no dry history we’re reading here. The Megilla might well be the world’s first docu-drama, containing embellished kernels of truth. But the author was an excellent historical novelist, of the James Michner variety, and he got the facts down.

So let’s look a bit more closely. The story takes place in the Persian city of Shushan – Susa – in SW Iran, about 30 miles from the Iraqi border. It was a provincial capital back in the 4th century, BCE, where the kings of the Ahmenide dynasty had their winter palace. Many scholars believe that the King of the story, Ahashverosh, corresponds to the king H’sharyanha (Heroditus = Xerxes), who reigned between 46-465 BCE.

The book of Esther begins with a lavish banquet, where Xerxes orders his queen Vashti to appear and display her beauty before his guests. She refuses. Enter Esther.

Now the Greek historians Heroditus, who lived in the 5th cent. BCE, and Ctesias, who lived a century later, both report that Xerxes had a queen named AMESTRIS. Close enough!

Court records, however, show that in that kingdom, queens came from the royal aristocracy. Maybe Mordechai and his family were in fact aristocracy. Douobtful. Jews had it good, but not that good. From the book we learn that Mordechai would sit by the palace. That’s where Haman found him. In Hebrew, it must be noted, the word to sit, “lashevet” also means to be stationed, and archeological evidence shows that the king’s gate was not simply a place, but an administrative office of the palace. Which explains how Mordechai, in his official capacity at the kings gate, heard about the two guards plot to kill the king. It was his job to know. BTW, as benefactor to the king, it was customary that he wouldn’t have to bow down to anyone other than the King himself!

Now, was there really a Mordechai? THIS JUST IN! An archaeological dig completed about a decade ago at the Mesopotamian site of SIPPUR has turned up a cuneiform tablet that mentioned a certain MADUKA as being one of Xerxes’ high officials in Shushan. I kid you not!

As for Haman, the name isn’t found anywhere (Yimach shmo). Except for maybe the Honeymooners… But his wife Zeresh seems to be derived from the Elamite God Zarisha – and this is especially significant because there was a large Elamite population at that time in Shushan. Haman’s sons? What names…Persian jawbreakers! When the reader reads all ten of them in one breath, it might well be to simulate the feel of strangulation… ARIDATA, ARISAI AND ARIDAI, the older ones: derived from the Persian word “Arya” meaning “noble” or “high born.” The original Aryans migrated from Europe through Persia to India and were mentioned frequently in early Hindu literature. The term Aryan was later taken by 19th century European racists, and then by the Nazis. It is ironic indeed that through the names of Haman’s sons, there is then a direct link from Haman to Hitler!

There is another Hindu connection, BTW – and Indian and Persian culture have always been closely linked. One of the advisers Ahash consulted when Vashti did her defiance thing was named Carshena, an old Perisan word meaning “black,” which is related to the Hindu word, “Krishna,” the Hindu God often often depicted in Indian art an Hindu legend as being black or blue in color.

Now, back to the story. It begins with HUGE banquet, lasting 7 days and taking place in the 3rd year of the king’s reign. We know from historical sources that in Xerxes’ 3rd year he suppressed rebellions in Egypt and Babylonia. A good reason for a huge feast! As the story moves along, we know that the king affixed his seal to a decree allowing the Jews to be killed. This decree could not be revoked since it had the royal seal affixed to it. We know from Greek sources that this practice was indeed followed.

But was there such a decree? What happened to the Jews in Persia at that time? We don’t now – yet. But we do know that in the reign of a later king, Ataxerxes, in 340 BCE, there was a Phonecian and Greek revlt against Perisan rule and evidence in Israel shows that the Persian armies were active in suppressing revolts in Judea just beofre the conquest of Alexander the great in 330 BCE. NUMEROUS SITES. And at about this time the Jewish population of Jericho was deported to a no-man’s land in Southern Lebanon. So the revolt was put down and likely led ot anti-Semitism in other parts of the empire. One theory of the book of Esther is that, to console themselves in this time of peril, Jews took the historical records of a great leader already known to them, named Mordechai, and a queen named Esther, actual historical figures, and created a wild, incredible story of a miracle salvation done without the visible help of God. By this theory, the book of Esther, written about a century after the events it depicts, authentically Persian in detail and language, might indeed have been the world’s first docu-drama.

A docu-drama, with truth for us. We face danger, no matter where – for the Jew, life is always just a roll of the dice (Pur – ancient Babylonian word for small cube shaped stones or piece of clay used as dice). I prefer to cast my lot with Purim, a holiday with timeless lessons we are only beginning to discover.

Sources: JPS Bible Commentary for Esther, by Adele berlin; "The Book of Esther: Where Does Fiction Start and History End?" Bible Review, 2/1992; also the Enclyclopedia Judaica article on the "Scroll of Esther."

What is Purim?

What is Purim?
From myJewishLearning.com

From the Hartman Institute: Purim Educational Materials

Culture and practice
Purim: Strangest of the chagim
Why so much drinking and partying in Megillah?

God and fate
Two modern thinkers on why God is hidden in Megillah
Who controls our fate; what controls our world?

Women and men
Women in Shushan: Playing by the rules and winning
The ultimate supermodel: Esther or Vashti?
Esther: Ornament fit for a king
Ahashverosh unmanned: Who really controls his relationships?

Purim and politics
Haman and Jewish question – relevant today
Zionism and Diaspora politics after Haman
Arthur Szyk: Art changed pre- and post-Shoah

New Jewish Women's Encyclopedia: Online and Free

It's here! The Jewish Women's Archive is proud to announce the launch of the online version of Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia, originally published by Alice and Moshe Shalvi of Shalvi Publishing Ltd., and edited by Professors Paula Hyman of Yale University and Dalia Ofer of Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Encyclopedia is now available for FREE at http://jwa.org/encyclopedia.

Previously available only on CD-ROM, the Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive source on Jewish women. It features over 1,700 biographies, 300 thematic essays, and 1,400 photographs and illustrations on a wide range of Jewish women through the centuries -- from Gertrude Berg to Gertrude Stein; Hannah Greenbaum Solomon to Hannah Arendt; the Biblical Ruth to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Never before has so much well-researched and well-written material about Jewish women been available in one place online. Accessible and free to Internet users all over the world, the Encyclopedia appeals to a wide range of readers, including educators, activists, high school students, researchers, scholars, and the merely curious. Its thematic and visual links make it possible to draw connections across time and space in ways that are impossible in a printed book

Purim 5769: This Year's Oscar Contenders

In honor of Purim, here are this year's Oscar Contenders....

"Schmaltz with Bashir" - In the summer of 1982, Arik Sharon and Lebanese General Bashir Gamayel share a hearty meal of gribenes with mashed potatoes soaked in chicken fat, when bad news arrives: their cholesterol tests are back.

"Slumdog Minyannaire" - Unkempt congregant stumbles into services only to discover that it is his destiny to be the tenth person; he wins the grand prize: the third aliyah.


"Milchiks" - Tevya the Dairyman plays the role of Harvey Fierstein as Anatevka's first gay matchmaker. Things get interesting when the Cossacks and Village People and merrily drink "L'Chayim" while dancing to the tune of "YMCA," while the rabbi mutters, "May God keep Anita Bryant...far away from us!"

"The Reader" - Drama ensues in a packed courtroom as Torah reader takes the stand to confess that, twelve years earlier in the tumult of war, she mistook a Samech for a Final Mem.

"Defrost Nixon" - Seeking to soften the President's cold image, Henry Kissinger takes Nixon on a tour of backroom kiddush clubs in the Washington area. They then eat too much herring and gefilte fish, causing the producers to change the name of the film to "Fress Nixon."

"The Curious Case of Benjamin's Button" - "First, it was Joseph's coat that went AWOL. Now this! A missing button! Next, they'll accuse him of stealing a goblet!" frets Jacob in this poignant family drama.

What is Purim Torah? (Spiritual Web Journey)

Before we set out on our way, some basic Purim links, for background on the holiday: A nice selection can be found at at Jacob Richman's Hot Sites and also here. Some excellent articles from Yeshivat Har Etzion can be found at here, and also see at Torah From Dixie.


Among the most popular aspects of Purim is the satiric genre known as Purim Torah. On Purim everything is turned upside down. Even those phenomena that are normally venerated are turned on their heads, even the study of Torah itself. Purim Torah is rabbinic logic gone haywire, otherwise known as "pilpul"). It's the Wise Men of Chelm taking over the Yeshiva. It comes from a little too much wine ("Adloyada)," combined with a little too much of our natural Jewish irreverence. It's Rashi meets Mel Brooks.


Come to think of it, Brooks' hit "The Producers" is a classic Purimspiel (Purim Play) -- a classic reenactment of the story of Purim in a different context. "Springtime for Haman in Shushan" has a ring to it, but this journey is about Purim Torah, not Purimspiels. There is a connection, though, which is explored at this site. Some more about Purim Torah as it relates to the Megilla can be found at here.


Purim Torah takes many forms. Political commentary is almost always part of it, whether the politics be internal or global. Last week at services we discussed the Talmudic incident where Rabbah followed commandment to get so drunk on Purim that he couldn't tell the difference the evildoer Haman and the good guy Mordechai. As a result he "slaughtered" his drinking buddy Rabbi Zera. Fortunately, he was able to revive Zera. He then asked Zera whether he might like to join him next Purim and Zera replied that he'd pass, but thanks anyway. You had to be there -- it was funny to those who heard it here, and it must have been funny to the rabbis of the Talmud too. The sages probably knew Rabbah in the way that "Saturday Night Live" knows Sarah Palin, and they also understood that even mandated rabbinic laws can be dangerous when taken to excess. So this story was what one might call an internal satire, a joke by the rabbis about their own methodology. For a more modern version, check out a recent Purim edition of Sh'ma, where the whole genre of rabbinic wisdom gets satirized smartly:

Rab Shamllel (who had been thrown out of both the House of Hillel and the House of Shammai at one time or another) used to muse, "You know, it's not what you know and what you don't know. What matters more is whether you know what you know and what you don't know. To know what you know opens the gates to confidence. To not know what you know opens the gates to indecision. To know what you don't know opens the gates to wisdom. And to not know what you don't know opens the gates to catastrophe. You know what I mean?"


He used to sigh, "There are four kinds of car mechanics in this world: The first can fix your car, but can't take you until the Tuesday after Tu B'Shvat. Of these there are but few and what can you do? The second can take you today but are incapable of fixing your car. Of these there are many and they are to be avoided. The third can't take you until the Tuesday after Tu B'Shvat AND are incapable of fixing your car. They are called 'dealers.' The last can fix your car and can take you today, but none of them dwell within a five-hour drive from here."


Purim Torah can be sophomoric (http://www.radix.net/~jbachman/SPTI/Schlitz-home.htm -- is about the Schlitzer Rebbe. Get it?), and just plain fun http://www.radix.net/~jbachman/SPTI/glidot.htm (a new Talmudic tractate on how to eat ice cream:

Rabbi Nahman said in the name of Rab, "It is forbidden to eat ice cream with the fingers." But the sages say, "[when it is] in a cone*, it is permitted [to eat this way]. But was it not taught, "Ice cream is finger food, you fool!" [Renee, Sig 2a]?# There is no difficulty. Here it is talking about ice cream, here frozen yogurt. One may not consume premium ice cream for it is written, "Only The butterfat you must not eat, [For it is to be burnt on the altar for atonement, (Lev. 17:10a-11a)]. Rav Sheset says, [this applied only] when the Temple is standing. *According to Rashi. Other Rishonim explain this as meaning a sandwich.)

Here's a video Purim Spoof from The Jewish Week from last year. I can't wait for this year's to come out!

In the end, Jews do on Purim what we do the rest of the year as well -- we poke a little fun at ourselves. On this most topsy turvy of days, we understand that the secret of life is to enjoy the ride -- and laugh a little all the while.

What’s all this I Hear about “Haman Rights?”

For Purim, Our Guest Commentator… Rabbi Rosanne Rosanna Danna

Why are people so concerned about giving rights to one of the most infamous, ruthless villains in Jewish history? I mean really, who needs “Haman Rights?” Should one have the right to target an entire people for destruction? Should one have the right to build gallows to hang an innocent man (who had also saved the king from dangerous plot? Should one have the right to wear ugly three-cornered hats?

I say “NO.

What? What did you say? It’s not “Haman Rights,” it’s HUMAN rights?

Oh…that’s very different!

NEVER MIND!

HAPPY PURIM!

Strategies for Hope: A Jewish "Serenity Prayer"

Last week at services we discussed this selection from the Talmud and suggested that it is somewhat of a Jewish version of Niebuhr's "Serenity Prayer." The comments come from a commentary issued by the National Center for Jewish Healing.

Our Rabbis taught: Seven things are hidden from people:
the day of death,
and the day of comfort,*
the depth [extent] of judgment;**
and a man does not know what is in his neighbor's heart;
and a man does not know by what he will earn his living;
and when the Davidic dynasty will return;***
and when the wicked kingdom**** will come to an end.

Babylonian Talmud, Pesahim 54b

* No man knows precisely when he will be relieved of his anxieties.
** The great commentator, Rashi (1040-1104), explained that this refers to Divine Judgment.
*** This was probably said in order to discourage those who tried to calculate the advent of the Messiah on the basis of Scripture; see Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a.
****Rashi sees this as a covert allusion to the Roman Empire.

During a time of considerable uncertainty, we can gain some comfort knowing that there is so much that is beyond anyone's control. We can't know when a person's grief will end or when a source of income will dry up. We can't predict the stock market or know in advance when the housing market will turn around. We can't control the future; we can only live in the moment and be prepared for whatever the future will bring. What might seem like a setback today might in fact be tomorrow's hidden opportunity.

We at TBE have been taking the lead in offering our community strategies for hope and survival during these difficult times. I cannot be more proud of those efforts. But aside from all the practical help, we need to supplement that by returning to our sources, through meditation, study and prayer, to find more inspiration. That's what I will be trying to do over these coming weeks, with more of these Strategies for Hope.

Niebuhr's "Serenity Prayer" had a second stanza, one that rarely is quoted. See it here. He speaks of "Living one day at a time," "Enjoying one moment at a time," and "Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace." He wrote it during the '30s, times not so different from ours. That is what we must do right now.

We need to live in the spirit of Proverbs 3:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge God,

and God will direct your paths.

Tzedakkah from the Heart: The Anti-Madoff

Did you notice that during his address to Congress this week, President Obama singled out Leonard Abess for special mention? He is the anti-Madoff, a lifelong member of Temple Israel of Greater Miami, a Reform Congregation. A rabbinical colleague down there tells me that the sanctuary is named after his mother, Bertha Abess. Leonard recently sold his bank, City National, for nearly $1 billion. It was privately held, in his name. He then set aside $60 million to reward his employees for service rendered since they had no equity in the institution. It was a free-will offering, with nothing, not even publicity, expected in return. It was not owed, not obligatory, totally from the heart. Read more about it here.

Abess is exactly the person we need to be hearing about right now. And Joseph Telushkin has written precisely the book we should be reading.

Exactly three years ago, we were honored to host Rabbi Joseph Telushkin on the weekend of the publication of the first volume of his unparalleled "A Code of Jewish Ethics." The first volume focused on personal issues, such as how to be more cheerful and less angry and how to avoid gossip. Volume two, with a focus on loving our neighbor, just came out this past week, and I'm already devouring it. Telushkin has set up a Facebook group called "The Jewish Ethics Project," a forum for people to share their stories and ideas for making ethics and Jewish ethical teachings part of their everyday lives.

I'll be introducing the new book to the congregation tomorrow morning at services. Since the portion, Terumah, discusses charity (Terumah literally means "gifts of the heart") in the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness, we'll see what Telushkin's new Code says about tzedakkah. It's fascinating.

We'll be exploring other sections of the book in weeks to come.

A Song of Peace

Israel Sending Jewish-Arab Duo to Eurovision Songfest - Israel is sending a Jewish-Arab duo to represent it with a song of peace at Europe's Eurovision competition, a festival which draws some 100 million TV viewers every year, to be held in Moscow in May.

Achinoam Nini, known internationally as Noa, and Mira Awad were selected by Israel's national broadcasting authority. Awad, who will be the first Arab ever to represent Israel at the competition, was roundly criticized for agreeing to go by Israeli Arab artists, even though Nini is a veteran peace activist. Awad said she was going in order to make the point that Jews and Arabs had no option but to find some way to live together. Awad has achieved mainstream popularity, becoming a sought-after television and stage actress. Last year, she starred in the country's first Arabic sitcom aimed at Jewish viewers.

Around a fifth of Israel's 7 million citizens are Arabs, who have equal rights under the law. Nini, an Israeli of Yemenite extraction, said, "Some people will see an Arab girl who looks Jewish and a Jewish girl who looks Arab, which is what we are. Maybe it will open some people's minds." (AP)

So now, listen to the four songs from which Israelis will be choosing. Which of these will Noa and Mira sing?




To hear the complete versions of all four songs, click here.

G-dcast on this week's portion of Terumah

One of the more innovative new Jewish websites is G-dcast, a weekly comic-book style intro to the Torah portion. It just started up a few months ago and already it's going strong. G-dcast looks at the portion from a variety of perspectives, in a very entertaining 4-minute video presentation. This week's feature looks at the construction of the tabernacle as if it's a do-it-yourselfer from Ikea. You can sample G-dcast below, and then check out their website for archived presentations, at http://www.g-dcast.com/



Parshat Terumah from G-dcast.com

And with Storahtelling set to return next week to TBE, check out their weekly parsha commentary at http://storahtelling.blogspot.com/.

Coping With Stress During Hard Economic Times

This Shabbat Shekalim (see the entry below to see why this is an appropriate Shabbat to be discussing matters economic), with the economy continuing to confound, we'll devote some time at services to the spiritual side of coping with the stress. For a number of weeks, we've had seminars and networking sessions here giving all kinds of practical advice - now we look to augment that with some wisdom from our sources, with learning, meditation and prayer.

Some of the sources I'll be using are accessible on the web, from the Jewish Healing Center and the JBFCS (Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services). They have put together an invaluable collection of Jewish spiritual resources to assist Jews in the current economic crisis.

Also see this interview with Elie Wiesel that appeared in the USA Today this week. A victim yet again (this time wiped out by Madoff), our greatest living hero once again is demonstrating an unbelievable ability to rebuild his life. Granted, one cannot compare Wiesel's current victimization with his prior one, the Shoah, but to lose one's charitable life work in one staggering blow, at the hands of a fellow Jew whom he trusted, is no small loss.

Join us on Shabbat morning for a time of solidarity, healing, discussion and prayer. This will be a Shabbat Shekalim in every respect. Please invite your friends as well.

Why Name a Shabbat After Israeli Currency?

What is Shabbat Shekalim?

Why name a Shabbat, of all days, after Israeli currency?

As Rabbi Yitz Greenberg writes in, "The Jewish Way," "More than any other holiday, Shabbat reflects the changing moods and concerns of Clal Yisrael (the collectivity of Israel).... In the weeks before Passover, four special Shabbat days prepare the community agenda: Shabbat Shekalim, the occasion to to give the annual gift to the national treasury for Temple sacrifices; Shababt Zachor (Remember), a reminder of the Amalekite genocidal assault on Israel and the ongoing dangers of anti-Semitism; Shabbat Parah (Red Heifer), the declaration of the need to purify in preparation for the Paschal lamb sacrifice and the central national feast; and Shabbat Hachodesh (the Month), an announcement of the arrival of the month of Passover, the new year of liberation."

Just a couple of months ago some of these rare ancient half shekel coins were uncovered in a Jerusalem dig (see photo above). (Incidentally, another major archeological find from the era of the Maccabees was discovered at the Bet Guvrin dig of Archaeological Seminars, a where the archaeologists are primarily tourists. We've taken groups there several times, and just this week our Bi-Cultural 8th graders were there too! The discovery was announced this week.)

The fact that Shabbat Shekalim always comes at the time when I need to be reminded to get my own taxes in order is one way that I have tried to imbue even the secular calendar with the rhythms of Jewish sacred time. It also reminds me that the giving of taxes is in itself a sacred activity. Corny as it seems, I actually improvise a bracha when I put my completed tax forms in the mail, realizing that this money is going to help people who are in need, and help this nation maintain its position moral leadership, not to mention the fact that some of this money also helps to preserve Israel's security.

This year of all years, when billions (and now trillions) are being invested to save our economy and rescue those in greatest need (as well as a few with greatest greed), we need to look at our tax return as a sacred document.

If you're looking for a blessing to recite, take a peek at the "Birchot Ha-Shachar" the Morning Blessings; almost all of them work. Speaking of the mitzvah of paying taxes, we've been treated to a parade of cabinet nominees who have fallen short in that department.

This week's portion, Mishpatim, often referred to as the "Book of the Covenant," is a treasure trove of laws, many bearing a resemblance to the famous Code of Hamurabi as well as other ancient Near Eastern law codes. In it, the festival cycle is introduced, as well as the Sabbatatical cycle for the land. What better week, then, to reflect on the cycles of our own days, months and years, and how we might come to elevate our lives by reclaiming these sacred moments, including the moment we put our tax returns in the mail. This is truly a week for us to reflect on the words of Abraham Joshua Heschel, that "the way to nobility of the soul is the art of sanctifying time."

Did the Red Sox Postpone their Opener Because of Passover?

That's the rumor I've been hearing, and I've gotten it from maybe 20 people over the past few weeks. So I checked Snopes - http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=42012.

You'll see there the complete text of the e-mail that's been going around, followed by a discussion, with no definitive answer. But the signs point to its being an urban legend, certainly for this year. In fact, their home opener will be BEFORE Passover, by a day. The e-mail almost seems to be a parody, not meant to be taken seriously. Click here and here and you'll see many reasons why it doesn't make sense.

But it is nice to know that people associate the Sox with Jewish values and pride. As for me, I always used to love going to Fenway on the intermediate days of Passover, during the week of school vacation that followed Patriots Day. What a combination: Baseballs and matzah balls, Carlton Fisk and Gefilte Fish, bat boys and bat mitzvahs.

And when I open my door for Elijah, I'll fully expect Jacoby Ellsbury, the league leader in steals, to be standing there, holding the afikoman.

So no, they didn't postpone their opener.

And speaking of Jews in sports, did I mention that Israeli swimsuit model on the cover of SI?

Here's the latest from a Jewish Sports website (I cannot vouch for its veracity), via my colleague Rabbi Arnold Stiebel:

This year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model is Bar Refaeli, an Israeli model.

She is the fourth Jewish woman to be featured and identified by name on the SI cover.

The others:
Sarah Hughes, March 4, 2002
Jamila Wideman, March 17, 1997
Suzy Weiner (with fiancee Mark Spitz), May 14, 1973

Mark Spitz also appeared on July 22, 1968 and Sept. 4, 1972
Al Rosen was the first Jewish sport’s star to appear on the cover on April 15, 1955.
It was not a swimsuit issue.

Others include:

Ryan Braun, March 31, 2008
Ron Blomberg, July 2, 1973 (with Bobby Murcer)
Jay Fiedler, Oct. 1, 2001
Sandy Koufax, March 4, 1963, April 13, 1964, Dec. 20, 1965 (Sportsman of the Year), May 15, 1967, July 12, 1999, Oct. 9, 2006
Art Modell, Dec. 4, 1995
Howard Cosell, Aug. 8, 1983
Art Heyman, Oct. 28, 1963
Ernie Grunfeld, Feb. 9, 1976
Bob and Bus Mosbacher, yachtsmen, May of 1959
Toots Shor, July 27, 1959

It is possible that Charles Goren, master of the game of bridge, was Jewish and appeared several times (Oct. 14, 1957, May 20, 1960) Several other Jewish personalities appeared in small popups at the top of the cover, most recently Red Auerbach.

Bo Belinsky appeared on a cover, but I have problems counting him since he has made anti-Jewish statements.

Israel Election Update Feb. 12

So now it's all over but the haggling. And that will undoubtedly bring many twists and turns as the new government takes shape. Click here for a chart from Ha'aretz showing who voted for whom geographically and ethnically.

The final election results were revealed today, with the breakdown as follows:

PARTY SEATS WON
Kadima 28
Likud 27
Yisrael Beitenu 15
Labor 13
Shas 11
United Arab List 4
National Union 4
United Torah Judaism 5
Hadash 4
Jewish Home 3
Balad 3
Meretz 3

What this means is that there is a potential for a center-right coalition of 64 seats, whereas no center-left combination would garner more than 44. Things get interesting when you throw Yisrael Beitenu into the mix, which is hawkish toward Hamas and Israeli Arabs but also a staunch proponent of civil marriage and religion-state separation. Wherever they end up, if they end up in the coalition, there will likely be very strange bedfellows in that government.

Kadima is angling for a unity government with a rotating prime minister, which, in the '90s, produced Israel's most stable government in decades, one that accomplished quite a bit. Likud will hear nothing of it, although it would like to bring Kadima into a center-right government.

One of the great ironies is that Shimon Peres, who has so often been on the other side of these meetings, will, as President, determine which party will have the first chance to form a government. The nod will likely go to Netanyahu, who edged out Peres himself for the honor a decade ago.

What does this mean for Israeli policy? In the long run, the guy living in the White House will have much more to say about Israel's security issues than anyone in Jerusalem. Which is reason for us to remain informed and involved.

The UJC sent out a detailed analysis today.

Some other recommended articles:

Analysis: Election arithmetic puts Bibi in the driver's seat (David Horovitz, Jerusalem Post)

Unity, now - We don't have luxury of wasting precious time on coalition bargaining. (JPost editorial)

http://israelity.com/2009/02/11/israel-elections-a-defeat-for-everyone/ - a disgusted Israel blogger takes more pride in Bar Refaeli's appearance in SI's Swimsuit issue than in the country's political system.

You can select from several Israeli blog feeds here.

Also see: Israel Goes to the Polls - Editorial- However the political jockeying plays out, Israelis have once again reaffirmed their commitment to a democratic process that, for all its imperfections, will eventually produce a representative, responsible and lawful government. If only the same could be said of the Palestinians and the rest of Israel's neighbors, on whom any hopes for a lasting peace must ultimately rest. (Wall Street Journal)

Israel's Election Winner: Peace Skeptics - Benny Avni- Israeli voters Tuesday threw a wrench into the plans of the world's peace processors - President Obama included. The winners were those who presume that as long as Iran and its proxies are armed and ready to fight, no amount of uprooted Jewish settlements will bring peace. Israeli voters are disillusioned with U.S. special envoys.

Who in the world is Avigdor Lieberman? (JPost)

Hamas says truce near, pending Israeli agreement on details (JPost)

Also see the following videos:

Israel’s post-election policy agenda (English video)

“Eretz Nehderet (A Wonderful Country)” Saturday Night Live style spoof of both candidates declaring victory (Hebrew video with English translation on the page). And, shades of Jon Stewart, this show was more popular on election night in Israel than the actual returns.

IBA English News coverage of the election results

Darwin's Birthday: Is it Odd or is it God?

The following is an excerpt from a Rosh Hashanah sermon delivered in 2005, which touched upon the subject of evolution. I include it here because of its relevance on the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. To read the entire sermon, click here To listen to it, click here.

There has been a mighty fight lately over a new concept into the study of the origins of life and of the universe. It is called, “Intelligent Design,” and it has been positioned as a more sophisticated alternative to the old Creationism, which simply took Genesis literally, in taking on Darwin’s Natural Selection. Proponents of Intelligent Design are careful to couch the argument in secular terms and do not suggest the identity of the designer. I got one e-mail, in fact, suggesting that the designer was discovered to be “Flying Spaghetti Monster.”

One could consider this new theory a sneaky attempt by evengelicals to introduce religion into the evolution debate, and that’s true; but at least it is a big step forward from Creationism. No longer does the Catholic church take Psalm 19 literally, as it did when Galileo was brought to trial for challenging the notion of the sun racing across the skies like a bridegroom. “Intelligent Design” theory is telling us that at least some religious leaders are going beyond the literal and looking for deeper more poetic truths in the Bible. But it is noteworthy that in recent polls 50 percent of American Christians still say that the first chapter of Genesis should be taken literally. And, while most Jews have always championed evolution, a huge debate on this subject is shaking the Orthodox world, and one popular young rabbi, Nosson Slifkin, has had his books banned for his support of Darwin.

But the whole controversy begs an important question. What if evolution itself IS the intelligent design? What if the dinosaurs were divinely inspired? What if it was God’s desire that hurricanes and earthquakes and tsunamis happen in a random manner? What if God chooses Odd - sometimes?

When you met your spouse, if you have a spouse, was it odd or was it God? (Is it still?) I should say, was it odd – or was it your mother in law? And I can’t tell you how many people I marry met because of a conversation that occurred at a shiva. Life is funny that way. It so often seems pre-ordained. Things always seem to come full circle.

Some things that appear random happen because they are meant to be. We Jews have an expression for that: Beshert, based on a German word meaning “given.” We speak about meeting our life partner as meeting our “beshert” – a special gift from God, the one intended for us alone. In Genesis, Abraham’s servant Eliezer meets Rebecca at the well and when she offers to feed his camels, he determines that this is a sign that she is Isaac’s intended. The Talmud (Moed Katan 18b; Sotah 2a) goes on to say that God spends most of Her time arranging matches for people. (That was before God invented J-date. Lots of people I marry are finding mates there).

You can choose odd or God, in case after case, but the key is that, the only way you can come down on the side of atheism is if everything is and has forever been totally and completely random. Anything else, and the coin turns up “God,” even if it’s a capricious God, an inconsistent God, a playful God, a God who favors randomness, but one who cries at destructive floods because of the rules He set up. If even one event in your life, or in world history, seems to have had a deeper purpose behind it, than there is a God.

...A hurricane looks so beautiful from space. From a God’s eye view, it is gorgeous and filled with symmetry. But that same divine eye is filled with tears at the destruction and the randomness of it all. It is the randomness that God has chosen which yields the serendipity that we embrace.

We embrace it all:

The devastation and the miracles
The bombings and the Beshert
The dinosaurs and the flights to Chicago
The good and the bad, you and me
We embrace it all and we embrace one another.

Amen