The Purim Of Cairo
This Purim, celebrated by the Jews of the Egyptian capital, was established in 1524 when the Turkish governor of Egypt, Ahmed Pasha, was involved in a revolt against the Turkish sultan.
He seized 12 of the most prominent members of the Jewish community as hostages, threatening to kill them and banish the entire Jewish community unless a large ransom was paid to him.
On the day on which the tremendous sum of money was due, Ahmed was assassinated by chief members of his staff as he left the bathhouse.
The hostages were immediately released (amongst them was the great rabbi David ben Zimra, the teacher of the Ari HaKadosh), and the threat against the Jewish community was annulled.
