20 Mar McCain on the Jewish Holiday Purim
20.03.08
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4 Comments
I interrupt this exchange on Oona’s marvelous essay to bring you the following public service announcement from John McCain, live from Sderot, in Israel:
[Purim is] their version of Halloween here.
Purim actually commemorates the deliverance of Persian Jews from Haman’s plan to exterminate them. But close enough.
All Hallows Eve is the day before All Hallows (All Saints Day). That was a day to celebrate all the martyrs who died during the persecution of the early Church by Romans (who I suppose wanted to exterminate Christians). Of course, Halloween has nothing to do with martyrs just as most Purim celebration has little to do with the Book of Esther. There is a tradition in both Halloween and Purim to dress up in costumes and wear masks, which I suppose is a pretty reasonable basis for the comparison.
Is this meant for say general amusement or is the start of the “McCain is dumb like Bush” movement?
NSD,
A little of both, more of the former. I desperately, desperately don’t want McCain to be president, but I don’t think he would be anywhere near as bad as his predecessor. And his IQ is definitely far higher…
Have you ever been to Israel? Purim, in Israel, is the time when kids dress up The roots of the holidays may be completely different, but the celebration, particularly for kids, is similar.