<DIV><FONT face=Arial>"The Chasimas HaTalmud wasn't all that long after the story of the Megillah.<BR>The secular world has records from 500 years ago (think Colombus, Magna<BR>Carta, Crusades, etc.). Probably Chazal had either written records or an<BR>oral tradition as to what happened - that she was evil, that she grew a<BR>tail, etc.<BR><BR>KT,<BR>MYG "</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>I may be in error, but I think from Megilla to Chatimat hatulmud is 900-1000 years, not 500. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>However, from Megillah to the time of the Tanaim (both pre and post Churban) is closer, 500-600 years.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>David I. Cohen</FONT></DIV>