How the Bible – and the Purim story – helped form a nation from an exiled people. In his bestseller ‘Why the Bible Began,’ theology Prof. Jacob L. Wright challenges conventional thought on the holy book’s history, positing that it was not all about religion (RICH TENORIO, Times of Israel).
This article is mostly a review of Prof. Wright's book (on which see further here and here). But it also does touch on the Esther story.
Israel or Iran? The quest after Esther and Mordechai's final resting place. The Bible doesn't specify the final resting places of the Purim Megillah's protagonists, but conflicting Jewish traditions emerge: one asserts that their tombs are located in Iran, while another steadfastly maintains they are in Israel (Yogev Israely, Ynet News). Perhaps the key point in the article:
"Since no documentation of the Purim story exists in other sources and the story resembles other regional myths, Mordecai and Esther aren’t considered historical figures, so this debate is entirely theoretical," she notes. "But assuming the event did take place, it’s more logical they died in the summer and were buried near Ecbatana."For lots more on the traditional Tomb of Esther and Mordechai in Hamadan, Iran, start here and follow the links. The site has been subjected to vandalism and various kinds of protests. This year is no exception.
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