Iran and Israel, Persia and the Jewish Survival: A Hopeful Reflection
Engraving after a miniature by Jean Fouquet (ca. 1420 -1477/1481). Engraving by Chevignard. Photo credit via Meisterdrucke
We are in a dark place right now. But, it was not always like that, and it will not always stay like that. We must remain hopeful and trust our true human values. In the wise words of the Persian sage, the philosopher of love, Hafez, we must not despair, but walk on. Carpe diem
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Historian George Santayana wrote those words in 1905. The quote is a reminder from the past, about the past, that is even more important today.
‘The history of the Jews of Iran is one of the most important chapters of Jewish history, yet it is also the most obscure, because little of it has been published. Considering the vastness of the Persian Empire during ancient times, Iran must be considered second only to Israel in importance to the study of Jewish history. After the Assyrian onslaught, the ten lost tribes were moved to the east, toward the Persian Empire. Babylon, the former hub of Judaism, was an Iranian province for more than a thousand years, including the period during which the Talmud was written. Indeed, Iranian cultural influences are manifest in the Babylonian Talmud, which is, in essence, an "Iranian Talmud."
The unbreakable and umbilical ties that bind the Persians and the Jewish peoples together
Understanding the Historic Relationship between Persia and the Jewish People: A Story that must be Recalled, Remembered and Treasured
‘The most widespread belief among archeological and historical scholars is that the origins of Judaism lie in the Persian province of Yehud.’
The image depicts a painting titled "Esther's Children" by Jewish Persian painter
Dana Nehdaran. Photo via Atlanta Jewish Times.
It is heartwrenching to see bombs and missiles that have been falling on Iran and Israel, given the exceptional and unique historical relationship between them, which sadly and tragically is often overlooked or misunderstood.
It is said that the biggest casualty of war is amnesia and forgetting the truth. Truth is what is needed now more than ever. Truth is what will set us free to make peace and build a better world.
Time is Now to Celebrate 4000 years of Persian- Jewish History and Friendship
Time to recall the contributions of Persia to the Jewish culture, civilisation, and survival; and likewise the contributions of the Persian Jews to the richness of Iran’s scientific development, poetry, literature, philosophy, music, medicine, education, trade and Commerce, to name but a few, evidenced by their rich Judeo-Persian writings which blend Jewish, Iranian, and Islamic influences, and their engagement with classical Persian literature and music.
Cyrus Cylinder: A Beacon of Hope for a Peaceful Middle East
Jews on the Map of History
'Cyrus’s actions had particularly momentous consequences for one group of exiles in Babylon: the Jews.
Though the Cylinder does not mention the Jews by name, it echoes Cyrus’s biblical edict that exhorted the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. Had Cyrus not freed the peoples of Babylon, said Bible historian Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, “the exiled Jews would probably have disappeared from the map of history, the way so many other peoples from the biblical period disappeared.”-Why the Cyrus Cylinder Matters Today
The values articulated by Cyrus influenced Europe and the United States, conveyed there by Classical Greek writers Herodotus and Xenophon, admirers of Cyrus’ leadership. Xenophon’s Cyropaedia, a partly fictional account of the ruler’s life, was read by the Founders of the United States, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson is thought to have possessed two copies, one of which is on display in the current exhibit at the Sackler Gallery. “Only the United States takes up the Persian model,”: “Jefferson constructs a state … which supports the idea of faith but doesn’t endorse any particular one.”-2,600-year-old Cyrus Cylinder still relevant (Excerpts from Iran and Israel, Persia and the Jewish Survival: A Hopeful Reflection, see the above link)
This is why I so much want to share a very relevant, informative and helpful book Comprehensive History of the Jews of Iran: The Outset of the Diaspora with you. This book will set us free by highlighting what is important to know and thus, enable and empower us to bring about peace and harmony in the Middle East and beyond.
'The history of the Jews of Iran is one of the most important chapters of Jewish history, yet it is also the most obscure, because little of it has been published. Considering the vastness of the Persian Empire during ancient times, Iran must be reckoned second only to Israel in importance to the study of Jewish history.
After the Assyrian onslaught, the ten lost tribes were moved to the east, toward the Persian Empire. Babylon, the former hub of Judaism, was an Iranian province for more than a thousand years, including the period during which the Talmud was written. Indeed, Iranian cultural influences are manifest in the Babylonian Talmud, which is, in essence, an "Iranian Talmud."
Iran, where the Jews are living for over 2700 years, is the land of the beginning of Diaspora. Based on historical facts, the first Jews exiled from their homeland settled in Iran and from there they moved to other countries such as India, China and Russia.
Iran is the birthplace of the Karaite movement in Judaism which spread throughout the world. During the Middle Ages, Iranian Jews were active contributors to the scholarship of the Islamic world, an important factor in the European Renaissance.
This book, as the first comprehensive source on an important topic, not only describes briefly the history of Jews in ancient Iran (Persia) but covers all other periods, particularly the 19th and 20th centuries.’- Mazda Publishers
Comprehensive History of the Jews of Iran
See also:
The 'Iranian Schindler' who saved Jews from the Nazis
Photo credit: BBC
‘Thousands of Iranian Jews and their descendants owe their lives to a Muslim diplomat in wartime Paris, according to a new book. In The Lion's Shadow tells how Abdol-Hossein Sardari risked everything to help fellow Iranians escape the Nazis…’- Continue to read
Photo credit:Patch
‘The astonishing story of a brave Iranian diplomat who saved many Jewish lives in World War II—acutely relevant to Iranian-Israeli relations today After the invasion of France in 1940 a junior Iranian diplomat, the aristocratic Abdol-Hossein Sardari, found himself in charge of Iran's legation in Paris, and set about cultivating German and Vichy officials in order to protect the Iranian Jewish community in the country. He met the racial purity laws head-on, claiming that despite the fact that some Iranians had followed the teachings of Moses for thousands of years, they had always been of Iranian stock and therefore were "Mosaique" not "Juden"—this book includes the Nazi official correspondence seeking "expert opinion" on this troublesome argument. Alongside the dramatic and romantic narrative of Sardari's life (he refused to abandon the Iranian Jews in France even when recalled by his government and continued without pay) is the larger picture of the betrayal of Iran's neutrality by the Allies, then the eventual handing over of Axis diplomats and citizens to the Soviets "to be interrogated severely." The book argues that contrary to accusations Iran did not favor the Nazis, and employs previously unpublished archival documents to bolster that argument.’
See more and buy the book HERE
Farsi-Yahudi
‘Farsihud, Persian written in Hebrew script, captures centuries of Iranian Jewish history, philosophy, and artistry. From ancient inscriptions to epic poetry, these texts reveal the intersection of Persian, Jewish, and Islamic cultures. Persian Jews documented their unique heritage while contributing to Persian literary traditions, with influential figures from Maimonides to Ferdowsi shaping their works.
The term Farsi-Yahudi, or Farsihud, refers to both the Jewish dialects spoken by Iranian Jews and the Persian texts written using the Hebrew script.’
Farsi-Yahudi, Historical Background
Concluding Remarks and Possible Paths Forward
As bleak and hopeless as it is at the moment, my reading of history encourages me to be hopeful and positive that even the deepest and most painful ideological/religious conflicts can be resolved. Once France and Germany were enemies but eventually they became best partners and laid the foundation for European integration. Likewise, Germany, UK, and France were enemies, but today they are best friends and partners. Not long ago the Catholics and Protestants were killing each other in Northern Ireland, today they are partners building a better place together. Furthermore, once in apartheid South Africa, Nelson Madela was set free from prison by his arch opponent, president F.W. de Klerk and they began their journey together, building a new South Africa.
I acknowledge that achieving peace between Iran and Israel at this moment in time may seem an impossible task. But, believe me, history tells me that it is possible and it is doable. It just needs a new set of conditions, so that everyone can begin to imagine peace and what that means and entails.
In this Posting, I have tried to highlight the importance of being reflective and thoughtful, while holding on to hope for a deeper understanding of shared values between the Persians and the Jewish people. They both hold dear the true human values that under the right circumstances could be utilised to move them to take action in the interest of the common good.
From what I read, hear and observe, Iranians by and large yearn for restoring an open, transparent, democratic, fair and just modern and thriving nation.This, in great part is imbued by pride for their ancient heritage, language, culture, poetry, literature, philosophy, science, and more. They want, once again, to regain their seat at the centre of the global Dialogue of Civilisations. They want to lead the region to peace and prosperity for all.
Persians are aware of their noble history; a history that provided the world its first universal declaration of human rights, carved upon a clay cylinder, exalted, honoured and celebrated by Jews because it corroborates and confirms the events in the Old Testament: the liberation of Jews from Babylon by King Cyrus, and their safe return to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple.
To this end, I suggest the convening of an International Conference on Peace in the Middle East on the theme of:
Peacebuilding in the Middle East
A Hopeful Vision for a Just Peace
Let the Cyrus Cylinder Shine Light and Hope in the Darkness Again
The Conference should be tasked with debating, analysing and making recommendations on how the Cyrus Cylinder and its spirit of tolerance and coexistence can be utilised to bring about peace and justice to all in the Middle East.
Such thoughts, ideas and vision might seem impossible today, wishful thinking, if you may, but history is full of unexpected turns, events and outcomes.
I know and I want to believe that the enduring friendship between Persians and Jews, can be restored. Moreover, I know that a peaceful, fair and just Middle East is also possible. It is only a matter of time. Hope is of the essence. Carpe diem!
...and I leave you with the gift of these two beautiful poems for the ongoing journey- a journey of hope, resilience, remembering who, why and what we are
May these poems be a source of hope and inspiration to us, as we must remain positive; we must remain hopeful.
Don't Despair Walk On
Josef to his father in Canaan shall return, don't despair walk on;
and Jacob's hut will brighten with flowers, don't despair walk on.
Aching hearts heal in time, vanished hopes reappear,
the disparate mind will be pacified, don't despair walk on.
As the spring of life grows the newly green meadow,
roses will crown the sweet nightingale's song, don't despair walk on.
If the world does not turn to your whims these few days,
cosmic cycles are preparing to change, don't despair walk on.
If desperation whispers you will never know God,
it's the talk of hidden games in the veil, don't despair walk on.
O heart, when the vast flood slashes life to its roots,
Captain Noah waits to steer you ashore, don't despair walk on.
If you trek as a pilgrim through sands to Kaabeh,
with thorns lodged deep in your soul shouting why, don't despair walk on.
Though oases hide dangers and your destiny's far,
there's no pathway that goes on forever, don't despair walk on.
My trials and enemies face me on their own,
but mystery always backs up my stand, don't despair walk on.
Hafez, weakened by poverty, alone in the dark,
this night is your pathway into the light, don't despair walk on.- Hafez
(Reprinted from: Hafez: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love )
And
The children of Adam
are limbs of one another;
in terms of creation
they’re of the self-same Essence- Saadi
In Persian:
بنی آدم اعضای یک پیکرند
که در آفرينش ز یک گوهرند
چو عضوى به درد آورد روزگار
دگر عضو ها را نماند قرار
تو کز محنت دیگران بی غمی
نشاید که نامت نهند آدمی
(This timeless poem, describing what it means to be human, was chosen and it is inscribed at the entrance of the Secretariat of the United Nations in New York