Purim - one of the most joyful occasions on the Jewish calendar.
Despite the depressing atmosphere in Israel due to the matzav (situation) of continued Arab terrorism, the threat of biochemical attacks as the US war with Iraq looms large, and a "down in the dumps" economy resulting from the sharp decline in tourism, the sight of colorful traditional Purim costumes and assorted baskets filled with an array of mishloach manot send an unmistakable uplifting message, as Jews commemorate the miraculous victory over Haman, the archetypal Jewish enemy, whose diabolical plan to annihilate the Jewish people led to his own destruction.
Part of the many-faceted celebrations of the Purim holiday is the PurimShpiel (often performed as street theater), in which events are portrayed in humorous fashion, mocking reality. This year, the circus-like atmosphere of the elections to which we Israelis were subjected, and the spectacle of Prime Minister Sharon's attempt to put together a 'coalition' for his new government, could more than amply provide the script for a quintessential Purimshpiel.
Act I
The curtain rises as Amram Mitzna, the Labor party's defeated candidate, is shown negotiating with PM Sharon for three consecutive days; this is the same Mitzna who, during his campaign, declared ad infinitum that he would "never" join a Likud government and repeated the mantra, "It's either Sharon or us." He is now seen declaring emphatically, "I will not join a government with the Mafdal. It either Mafdal, or us."
Act II
After a majority of 68 has finally been achieved by Prime Minister Sharon, the curtain rises on the divvying up of coveted ministries to the party faithful (and if they don't receive the portfolio they covet, the not so faithful). Up for grabs are the ministries of finance, education, interior, justice, health and welfare, internal security, etc.
Note: In Israel, these important portfolios, which affect the lives of all Israeli citizens, are not allocated according to the expertise of the individual chosen to head the ministry, but rather are based on patronage and loyalty. Is there any civilized country in the world where the Justice Minister has no law degree, the Health Minister, no medical degree, the Finance Minister, no business degree, the Education Minister, no academic degree? They receive these important positions and then proceed to conduct their duties with ?on the job training.?
Act III
After having cajoled, flattered and pleaded with defiant ministers who refuse to relinquish their portolios unless they receive a more prestigious position, the curtain descends as Prime Minister Sharon is left reshuffling the chairs of all the wannabes in his new cabinet. Simultaneously, the newly aligned 'coalition partners', although previously having vowed not to relinquish the principles for which they solicited votes, hold a press conference to 'explain' their decision to join the Sharon government, despite his declared intention to establish a 'palestinian state' and make other 'painful concessions.'
Were it not so potentially detrimental to the survival of Israel and the Jewish people, one could perhaps find humor in all of these shenanigans, but tragically, this Purimshpiel is for real.
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Shifra Hoffman is a noted journalist, Founder of Victims of Arab Terror, International (VAT), and Executive Director of SHUVA (Return), the Israel Emergency Aliyah Movement. She can be reached at hoffmanshifra@hotmail.com or through the website www.victimsofarabterror.org.
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Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.
Despite the depressing atmosphere in Israel due to the matzav (situation) of continued Arab terrorism, the threat of biochemical attacks as the US war with Iraq looms large, and a "down in the dumps" economy resulting from the sharp decline in tourism, the sight of colorful traditional Purim costumes and assorted baskets filled with an array of mishloach manot send an unmistakable uplifting message, as Jews commemorate the miraculous victory over Haman, the archetypal Jewish enemy, whose diabolical plan to annihilate the Jewish people led to his own destruction.
Part of the many-faceted celebrations of the Purim holiday is the PurimShpiel (often performed as street theater), in which events are portrayed in humorous fashion, mocking reality. This year, the circus-like atmosphere of the elections to which we Israelis were subjected, and the spectacle of Prime Minister Sharon's attempt to put together a 'coalition' for his new government, could more than amply provide the script for a quintessential Purimshpiel.
Act I
The curtain rises as Amram Mitzna, the Labor party's defeated candidate, is shown negotiating with PM Sharon for three consecutive days; this is the same Mitzna who, during his campaign, declared ad infinitum that he would "never" join a Likud government and repeated the mantra, "It's either Sharon or us." He is now seen declaring emphatically, "I will not join a government with the Mafdal. It either Mafdal, or us."
Act II
After a majority of 68 has finally been achieved by Prime Minister Sharon, the curtain rises on the divvying up of coveted ministries to the party faithful (and if they don't receive the portfolio they covet, the not so faithful). Up for grabs are the ministries of finance, education, interior, justice, health and welfare, internal security, etc.
Note: In Israel, these important portfolios, which affect the lives of all Israeli citizens, are not allocated according to the expertise of the individual chosen to head the ministry, but rather are based on patronage and loyalty. Is there any civilized country in the world where the Justice Minister has no law degree, the Health Minister, no medical degree, the Finance Minister, no business degree, the Education Minister, no academic degree? They receive these important positions and then proceed to conduct their duties with ?on the job training.?
Act III
After having cajoled, flattered and pleaded with defiant ministers who refuse to relinquish their portolios unless they receive a more prestigious position, the curtain descends as Prime Minister Sharon is left reshuffling the chairs of all the wannabes in his new cabinet. Simultaneously, the newly aligned 'coalition partners', although previously having vowed not to relinquish the principles for which they solicited votes, hold a press conference to 'explain' their decision to join the Sharon government, despite his declared intention to establish a 'palestinian state' and make other 'painful concessions.'
Were it not so potentially detrimental to the survival of Israel and the Jewish people, one could perhaps find humor in all of these shenanigans, but tragically, this Purimshpiel is for real.
--------------------------------------------------------
Shifra Hoffman is a noted journalist, Founder of Victims of Arab Terror, International (VAT), and Executive Director of SHUVA (Return), the Israel Emergency Aliyah Movement. She can be reached at hoffmanshifra@hotmail.com or through the website www.victimsofarabterror.org.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.