Sir, - 'Olmert says IDF will halt operations if Hamas does' (March 6) made me realize how rapidly Purim is approaching, with its associations of pretense and escape from reality. 'I'll stop it if he does' can work to resolve a quarrel between children. Unfortunately, however, Israel is at war against an implacable terrorist enemy ideologically committed to its destruction, and so it cannot, dare not, go down this inappropriate path.
The Purim Megillah describes the antagonist's purpose as to 'kill, slay, and cause to perish' all Jewish young and old. The story does end with joy and happiness for the Jews, but only after Haman and his sons are hanged and all others who sought to harm to the Jews are totally defeated.
ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva
[Image credit: nate steiner]
