The festive holiday of Purim commemorates Israel’s salvation from extermination by the mighty Persian Empire, some 2500 years ago. Jews in Israel and all over the world celebrate Purim on the 14th day of Adar as a time of “Light, Gladness, Joy and Honor for the Jewish people” (Esther 8:16).

The Israel Post Service has issued a new stamp bearing an image of the clay cylinder with an inscription by King Cyrus of Persia declaring he built a Temple for the Jews.