Amid the ongoing war, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu took time off the immense responsibility of leading the country through a historic military campaign, to mark the miracles of Purim – then and now – at Chabad of Katamon.

On the night of Purim, the Prime Minister participated in a public reading of Megillas Esther at the Israel National Police Academy, together with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs, his Military Secretary Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, and members of his staff.

As Shushan Purim began in Yerushalayim, the Prime Minister also joined a Megillah reading at the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva, together with his wife, Sara, and son, Yair. The yeshiva dean, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, hosted him at the institution’s library, the site where, 15 years ago, a terrorist attack claimed the lives of eight students and wounded eleven.

Rabbi Shapira told the Prime Minister, “Instead of hearing sirens, we will soon hear the sound of the shofar of our redemption,” adding, “Mordechai will not kneel or bow down; Mordechai was from the tribe of Binyamin. We also bow to no one.”

Those present noted that the Prime Minister’s excitement and joy were evident throughout the event.

The prime minister, along with a full security presence, then visited Chabad of Katamon, led by Shliach Rabbi Ohr Ziv, who maintains a close connection with the Prime Minister’s office and last year wrapped tefillin with him. He had also gifted him a Chitas for the protection of Am Yisroel.

The Prime Minister joined the farbrengen and Purim celebration, where he said “L’chaim,” and shared in the Purim joy.

Despite security consultations and operational updates continuing around the clock, the Prime Minister made sure to mark the day of Purim.

At the launch of Operation Lion’s Roar, the Prime Minister addressed the nation with words that echoed the theme of Purim:

“My brothers and sisters, in two days we will celebrate the holiday of Purim. 2,500 years ago, in ancient Persia, an enemy rose against us with the exact same goal of completely destroying our people. But Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther, with their courage and resourcefulness, saved our people. In those days of Purim, the lot was cast, and the wicked Haman fell along with it.

“Even today on the holiday of Purim, the lot was cast, and the end of the evil regime will also come. The prophet Amos says, ‘The lion has roared, who will not fear?’ In Operation Lion’s Roar, we roar. Do not fear, Israel, for are you not a young lion? We will stand as one person with one heart, and with G-d’s help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”

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