It’s Purim, the funniest holiday of the Jewish year. On the other hand, the Shabbat before it is known as Shabbat Zachor, in which we must remember what Amalek did to us – the Amalekite people cowardly wounded Am Israel when our forefathers left Egypt. Amalek is the people from whom descends Haman, the powerful viceroy who, centuries later, planned to massacre the Jews in all the provinces of ancient Persia. This story is remembered on Purim.

The memories we have of the past, whether personal or acquired through tradition, often shape the way we see the world. We are rarely able to have an objective and balanced memory, taking into account both positive and negative aspects. In the case of Purim, we are usually directed to remember the dangers, the threats, the destructive aspect of the society around us. The current times, so threatening for the Jewish People and for the State of Israel, reinforce this defensive view.

What I propose today is that, starting this year, we create an affective memory, with positive and........

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