It seems like variations on the economic recession and Obama's recovery plan were popular Purim themes this year.
Great minds think alike.
We got the very clever:
Mensch $timulus Package ("Now that's a depression; they faced annihilation")
A Purim Recovery Package ("Passed by the Smith House 5-0")
And at least one or two more which I can't remember.
We got more Chanukah Gelt this Purim than we did in December.
(Not only bailout gelt, but also chocolate coin Clues from the Auman's Movie theme ("3 Coins In A Fountain").
Here, in its entirety, is
our Purim story:
"When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemon Tea and Eat Cake"
Achashveirosh decided it was time for change in the Kingdoms of Persia and Media. So he threw an enormous party for the entire kingdom. Twice as big as his predecessor’s. Everyone was invited. A lot of Jews, having read his megilla, I Have A Dream From My Father1, thought they could use some extra change. So they also went to the party.2
Meanwhile, as Achashveirosh was throwing his great party, the economic situation in the Kingdoms of Persia and Media was getting worse and worse daily. People all over Shushan were losing their jobs. Many found out that thieves had madoff with their life savings. The situation was grim.
The Persians were not happy when Achashveirosh announced his Fiscal Plan which consisted of “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemon Tea and Eat Cake.” They were especially not happy when they found out that Memuchan, of the Department of the Treasury, as well as several other key advisors, owed thousands of shekels in taxes going back many years.3
The Jews in particular were devastated when Haman, chief advisor to Achashveirosh, proposed his Economic Recovery Plan. This plan combined the government’s popular revenue generating system of a lottery4 with an edict to confiscate the assets of the people of ‘A Certain Nation’.5 It was estimated that trillions of shekels would be generated by this plan which would Stimulate The Economy,6
The Jews, even those Jews who still were in good financial shape, got really upset. They all wore cheap sackcloth7 to show their solidarity with, and to generate public awareness of, those who were unemployed.8 Also as a sign of their disapproval of Haman’s Plan.
With Hashem’s help, Hamen was impeached9 and Mordechai appointed in his place. Mordechai came up with a brilliant Alternate Fiscal Plan that was presented to Achashveirosh and met with his approval - Let The Jews Defend Themselves.10 The Gazans were upset, didn’t think the Jews should be allowed to defend themselves, and planned to launch all their rockets anyway.
The Jews had light and gladness and Joy and honor. 11 And they lived happily ever after.12
1 Written before he became king. During his reign, he would suffer from insomnia. Book of Esther 6:1
2 Book of Esther 1:5
3 Shushan Journal, Business Lunar Month, The Enquirer of 127 Nations, et al
4 “Hey, you never know.”
5 You know who. Book of Esther 3:8
6 This is every madman and despot’s Plan.
7 Bought at Shushan Target for $18.99
www.target.com/Sackcloth 8 This was the only option available to them as plastic colored wristbands and ribbon shaped magnetic bumper stickers had not been invented yet.
9 Not because of trying to bribe the king, that was ok, but because of a scandal concerning inappropriate behavior towards the queen.
10 This was, and is, unprecedented in that it was approved and even endorsed by a non Jewish government.
11 Book of Esther 8:16
12 After the events related in The Book of Esther, Achashveirosh once again waffled on his position on the Middle East, and came up with an obvious solution to the problems plaguing this region - The Let’s All Just Be Friends And Be Nice To Each Other Plan.
Contents of Shalacmonos
Extra Change (chocolate coins )
Lemon
Lemon yoghurt
Lemon zinger tea
Lemon cake
If by chance you received Shalacmonos from us and did not get a Lemon, or got a different flavor Yogurt, or just got Coins and Tea ... well, all I can say is, we ran out.
Just be glad you got anything in these rough economic times.
