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What was Haman’s problem with the Jews?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

Library » Holidays » Purim » The Story | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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So you want the reason for anti-Semitism? After all, the same question could be asked about Hitler or Eichmann, the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusaders or the countless Jew-haters who have persecuted us throughout history--and unfortunately continue to do so today.


Indeed, the history of our people consists of innumerable Purim miracles. As we say in the Haggadah, "For not just one alone has risen against us to destroy us, but in every generation they rise against us to destroy us; and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from their hand!" The miracle of Purim is unique in one important aspect: Ahasuerus ruled over 127 provinces, and all the Jews lived under his rule. So Haman's decree of extermination would have effectively erased the Jewish nation from this world. In subsequent generations, even when Jews were persecuted in one country or region there were other Jews in other areas who remained (physically) unaffected. For more information on this subject, see Is there any way to explain anti-Semitism? Why are we hated by so many people?


Ahasuerus ruled over 127 provinces, and all the Jews lived under his rule. So Haman's decree of extermination would have effectively erased the Jewish nation from this world
But back to Haman. Actually there are a few explanations for his bigotry:


1) Haman was a descendant of the nation of Amalek, a nation which always harbored an intense hatred for the Jews. When the Jews left Egypt no nation dared to pick a fight with the Jews. Who in their right mind would start up with a people whose G-d just smacked around Egypt, the sole super-power of the times, with ten awesome plagues, and drowned the surviving few in a sea which split to allow the Jews to cross?! "Peoples heard and were agitated; terror gripped the dwellers of Phillistia. Then the chieftains of Edom were confounded. Trembling gripped the powers of Moab, all the dwellers of Canaan dissolved" (Exodus 15:14-15). Only Amalek, driven by profound hatred which defied logic, came to battle the Jews.


2) Haman proclaimed himself a deity and all Ahasuerus' subjects were commanded to prostrate themselves when Haman passed by. Mordechai refused to bow before Haman. When Haman found out that the reason for Mordechai's refusal was because of his religion, he decided to take his revenge on the entire religion.


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Antisemitism

Posted by: Buz Whelan, Long Pond, Pa on Mar 03, 2007

The Jews have contributed to science, medicine, the social sciences and arts all out of proportion to their tiny numbers as a percent of the world's population. That's reason enough to hate them right there. Add to that the fact that they carefully guard their traditions of tolerance and concern for the weak and afflicted and the condition (anti-semitism)seems inevitable. The fact is, no matter how hard you try, you will not find a rational explanation for the hatred that has been historically directed at the Jewish people.

I am an Irish-American, raised Catholic. I want the Jewish people to know that many outside your community admire and value you. All goyim are not evil and against you.

G-d bless you all.
Purim
A one-day holiday celebrated in late winter commemorating the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from a decree of annihilation issued by Persian King Ahasuerus in the year 356 BCE.
Haman
Descendant of anti-Semitic tribe of Amalek and prime minister of the Persian Empire in the 5th century b.c.e. Schemed to annihilate all the Jews, and the holiday of Purim was established when the plot was foiled.
Amalek
Anti-Semitic tribe descendant from Esau; first to attack the Jews upon leaving Egypt. We are commanded to remember their vile deed and obliterate all memory of them.
Ahasuerus
King of the Persian Empire in the 4th century BCE. Husband of Esther, heroine of the Purim story.
Mordechai
Cousin of Queen Esther, and Jewish leader in the 4th century BCE. Played a large role in saving the Jews after Haman, the Persian prime minister, plotted to exterminate them all. The holiday of Purim was established to commemorate this miracle.
Haggadah
Text read at the Passover Eve feasts. The Haggadah recounts in great detail the story of our Exodus from Egypt.
Canaan
The land which G-d promised to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Named after the Tribe of Canaanites who dwelt there at the time. Eventually, when the Israelites conquered the land in 1272 BCE, it was renamed the "Land of Israel."
Exodus
1. The miraculous departure of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage in 1312 BCE. 2. The second of the Five Books of Moses. This book describes the aforementioned Exodus, the giving of the Torah, and the erection of the Tabernacle.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.