The 2001 Commentaries

Why Did HaMan Hate MordecAi?

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Why was HaMan so hated by MordecAi (in the Bible book of Ether)?

Well, we learn from the account that he was an AgAgite, which indicates that he probably was a descendant of AgAg, an ancient king of the Amalekites, which was a race that had been cursed by God and were almost totally wiped out by King David.

Also, according to the Midrash, Haman had an idolatrous image embroidered on his garments. And so, those who bowed to him also had to bow to the image. Therefore, if these reasons are true, they explain why MordecAi refused to bow before HaMan.

In addition, the Midrash says that Haman was an astrologer (God’s Law forbids astrology), and this seems to be confirmed by the method he chose to fix the time for the genocide of the Jews, by casting lots to determine the best day to destroy the Jews.

However, if HaMan was in fact an Amalekite, then why was HaMan also referred to as a Macedonian at Esther 9:24? You can find reasons for this offered in the Wikipedia description of him (see the reference Haman). But it seems logical that after King David wiped out most of his race, any who remained would likely have left the land and assumed other nationality identifications.


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