Cafe Hayek - Latest Comments in The Festival of Freedom

Re: The Festival of Freedom

Russ Roberts — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:26:39 -0000

Josh,

I should have said the first recorded episode of popular rebellion.

A lot of people thought it did happen, including the Pilgrims, the Founding Fathers and American slaves, all of whom found it inspiring. The influence of the Exodus has been profound whether you accept it as fact or not.

Re: The Festival of Freedom

josh — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:10:45 -0000

The first time? I doubt it.

Theres a good chance the whole sequence of events didn't take place at all.

Re: The Festival of Freedom

David — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 07:00:02 -0000

"Revolution" is not the word that comes to mind when considering the Exodus. Did my great grandparents revolt against the Czar when they left Eastern Europe for the USA? I would use the term "revealed preference" but there's that pesky issue of the Golden Calf.

Re: The Festival of Freedom

Russ Roberts — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:01:43 -0000

Joe,

You can also interpret Purim as the story of one man refusing to acknowledge the authority of the state, but I take your point. Then again, Moses is merely God's instrument through most of the Passover story so your comment about God is actually on the mark. You might enjoy The Dawn by Yoram Hazony. It's a superb thought-provoking interpretation of the Book of Esther.

Re: The Festival of Freedom

Joe Grossberg — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:52:47 -0000

Yeah, but God did all the work!

Seriously, I think Purim is more of a people's rebellion story, and Passover is more the story of a single man (Moses) standing against oppression.