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The Lessons of Purim Are Still Relevant Today

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The Lessons of Purim Are Still Relevant Today
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys wearing costumes read the book of Esther at a synagogue in the Israeli city of Bnei Brak near the costal city of Tel Aviv on March 4, 2015 during the feast of Purim. MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images
David Kopel
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Commentary

As Jews around the world celebrate the festival of Purim (March 20 to March 21 this year), gentiles have cause for celebration, too. Purim teaches universal lessons especially relevant today: the courage to embrace a politically disfavored identity, the righteous use of force against mass murder, and the duty to obliterate the wicked names of murderers and would-be murderers.

David Kopel
David Kopel
Contributor
David Kopel is an Adjunct Scholar at the Cato Institute, in Washington. His most recent book is "The Morality of Self-Defense and Military Action: The Judeo-Christian Perspective."
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