From the heroic last stand at Tel Hai inspiring the name Roaring Lion, to the spiritually resonant decision to strike during Parshat Zachor, where we read about the attempted genocide carried out by the Amalekites there are many examples. But we cannot ignore the Purim festival-themed elephant costume in the room.

In October 2000, Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar arrived in Tehran to meet with Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader. Here I quote from Eran Hermoni’s excellent book From Auschwitz to Tehran:

“Aznar entered the room where the meeting had been scheduled to take place, a spacious room filled to the brim with impressive Persian carpets. But to his surprise, he did not see Khamenei near the armchairs designated for seating. He noticed Khamenei standing at the side of the room, preparing tea for himself. Aznar approached and stood beside him. Seeing that he was slow to speak and preoccupied with preparing his cup of tea, Aznar decided to open with some small talk to break the ice and asked: ‘Sir, what is Iran’s national agenda?’ Khamenei did not reply and continued stirring his tea.