Israel and Iran: Malachi, Xerses, and Liza Minnelli

Israel and Iran: Malachi, Xerses, and Liza Minnelli

From Judaism for the Thinking Person by Rabbi Nadav Caine

March 29, 2026 · 8 min · Episode 178

About this episode

The episode discusses the historical and biblical context of the Iran War in relation to Jewish holidays and modern antisemitism.

The Iran War began at Purim (about Persia, now Iran) and now we're at Passover with Persia yet again as we are required to read Malachi. The Bible actually ends in the Persian period with the triumvirate of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi. I share some history, some Bible, and some modern absurd framing that exemplifies the idiotic antisemitism rampant in our popular media as this war rages on.

People in this episode

Host: Rabbi Nadav Caine

Topics covered

  • Israel
  • Iran
  • antisemitism
  • Bible
  • history
  • war
  • culture

Keywords

  • Iran War
  • Purim
  • Passover
  • Malachi
  • antisemitism
  • Ezra
  • Nehemiah
  • history
  • Bible
  • culture

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Malachi

Places: Iran, Persia, Israel

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