Carlson’s powerful ignorance

Journalist Amit Segal last week posted a photo of himself wearing a T-shirt sporting the words: “I don’t know when there will be an attack on Iran.”

- + By LIAT COLLINS

The writing on his back read: “There’s no point in asking me.” I have a different question for Segal: “Where did you buy that shirt?” I’m thinking of wearing it for Purim next week - if the war hasn’t broken out by then.As usual around here, when the going gets tough, humor takes over. A Hebrew meme doing the rounds says: “It’s now official: Sources say that an attack on Iran is likely today or tomorrow; or maybe next week (wouldn’t swear to it); or some day in the coming month; or there’s a chance that in the end they won't attack.”

Some people are betting that an attack will take place on Purim itself. I’m not willing to bet on anything - except that the Jews will be blamed, no matter what happens.

Purim is one of those quintessential Jewish holidays often summed up as: “They tried to kill us; we survived; let’s eat.”

The festival marks the story of the Jewish people as recorded in the Book of Esther, when Haman - the adviser of the Persian king Ahasuerus - plotted to kill every Jew in the empire. Esther, with the help of her uncle Mordecai, came to the rescue and Haman and his sons were hanged on the gallows they had prepared for Mordecai.

That was in the fourth century BCE. Jews have a long collective memory. The holiday is celebrated, among other things, by hearing the story of Esther read out loud - while drowning out the name of Haman; eating a festive meal; giving gifts to the poor; and holding parades in fancy costumes. In another curious custom, people are meant to drink until they can’t tell the difference between “cursed Haman” and “blessed Mordecai.” Everything becomes a blur, which is why it becomes hard to distinguish between a “Purim spiel” - a holiday gag or parody - and real life.

As I’ve noted before, were the Purim story to take place today, far from being strung up on his own gallows, Haman would probably be invited to address the UN and blast the Jewish state.