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The Haman Syndrome or Why do Jews answer a question with a question?

By Israel Shamir

A talk given in Paris on October 5, 2006 at the presentation of Notre-Dame des Douleurs, the French translation of Shamir's book Our Lady of Sorrow

The Jews learned much from a stupid mistake made by their enemy, Haman, a character in the biblical Book of Esther. Prime Minister Haman was asked: "What shall be done to the man whom the King delights to honour?" The dummy answered: "He should be given the greatest honours". Of course, Haman thought that the King Ahasuerus was referring to himself when he asked Haman the question. It quickly became clear that Haman made a mistake: the King had in mind his bitter enemy Mordecai; and Haman was forced to pay obeisance to the Jew.

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