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b"The Persians under Xerxes invade Greece, and have some success\\nuntil Greece expels them. It is during this period that the Book of\\nEsther takes place, a book that has great significance when considering\\nthe tensions between the many cultures in the Middle East at the time.\\nAfter Xerxes, the Persia is ruled by Artaxerxes and Artaxerxes II\\n(among others).

From a more religious perspective, after the\\nreturn to Israel, Malachi rails against the dullness he sees in the\\nreligion as people were practicing it. This should not be surprising,\\nsince every generation needs to be evangelized, lest the people fall\\ninto a civic religion. It is during this period that the Book of Esther takes place, a book that has great significance when considering the\\ntensions between the many cultures in the Middle East at the time. The\\nprophets and writers of this time period, including Jesus son of\\nSirach, should remind us that we must refresh our faith today with the\\nsame vigor that was demanded by the prophets.

The closing theme is Gerard Satamian's Chansons Sans Paroles Op. 2 Pastorale, from the album Dry Fig Trees. www.magnatune.com
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