There’s an idea circulating this Purim about a hidden pattern in Esther 1:18.

While Persia and Media are mentioned earlier in the Megillah as well, this specific verse is being highlighted because of the way the first letters of each word line up.

Here’s how the code works:

Take the first letter of every word in the verse.

When those letters are written in order, people point out that they form:

היום — Hayom (“today”)

תשפ״ו — the Hebrew year 5786

אש — fire

אדה — vaporization

The idea being shared is simple:

“Hayom” hints to the day of Purim — when the Megillah is read.

This year is תשפ״ו (5786).

And the themes of fire and conflict are reflected in current events connected to modern-day Persia (Iran).

Some compare it to other well-known Megillah patterns people have discussed over the years, such as letter patterns connected to תש״ז during the fall of the Nazis.

Whether one sees it as a deep code or a striking pattern, many feel that once again, the Megillah feels surprisingly current. This was discovered by the Brazilian kabbalist Misha’Ël Ha’Levi three years ago.