It feels too familiar this time

When I found out that Israel's homefront command had been told to prepare for w*r with a high-level defense alert declared - at the end of Rosh Chodesh Adar- my heart did a little leap.

I think it came from a place of recognition. That sense of- wait- we've heard this story before.

We learn from Rabbi Akiva that when he saw the fox amidst the ruins of the Temple- he laughed. Because he recognized that if the worst prophecies were to come true, so too would the redemption follow.

And if it wasn't Adar, I don't know that I would feel this little bubble of hope this intensely. But Adar, according to Judaism, is our best month. The month of hope and joy. Of action and good mazal. I'm no astrologer, but Jews know that good things happen this month.

Considering that the supermarkets here in Israel are filled with hamentaschen and goodies to fill your mishlochei manot- we are feeling the build-up to Purim, whose story and celebration, of course, culminate in Adar.

It feels too familiar this time.

The evil Haman, who wanted to g*nocide the Jews.

The King Achashverosh, who you can't really figure out if he's a good guy or bad guy (there's a lot of hubris in the megillah) and ultimately gives the order that allows the Jews to protect themselves.

The Mordechai and Esther- Jews who whisper in the ears of the King.

And then of course, a vicious w*r in which Jews fought for their lives and won.

Lived to tell the tale a millennium later.

All these elements and characters, one could argue, we can find in our own moment in time. You know who and what I mean.

To my spiritual sensibilities, it makes total sense that this final confrontation with Iran happens this month.

We have a long and ancient history with the Persians, and on a spiritual level, it almost feels like we have an opportunity to give back to them by giving them their freedom. Back in the days of Achashverosh and Cyrus, they allowed us to defend ourselves and then eventually return home and rebuild the Temple.

To me, as I watch us move through the messianic timeline toward redemption, I'm standing back, amazed at how God is orchestrating all these moving pieces.

God's plan is Divine.

And because it feels so familiar to the Jewish nervous system- this story, unique in its own ways, and yet we can recognize the pawns, political games, characters, and the stakes- there is a part of me that is allowing that happy ending to be my foundational faith in this moment.

The Torah and our Sages talk about the cyclical nature of history.

The final redemption is meant to mirror the redemption from Egypt.

Here we are, in the same month, readying for a holiday with a familiar story, with similar players and similar stakes- readying ourselves for the narrative to play out again.

So here is a blessing for us all:

I pray that we all live to witness the downfall of those who wish to destroy us.

I pray that God serves justice, and we live to stand in awe of His righteousness.

I pray that this time, I look forward to seeing God in all moments- no longer hidden, hester panim, but to revel in His open miracles and sing His praises for millennia to come.

May we be able to celebrate many more holidays of our survival, together.

I can't wait to read this new megilla.

Am Yisrael Chai.