Editor’s note: Chana Greenberg’s fifth- grade girls class at RYNJ learns a bit about journalism, as part of their project-based learning project to create a newspaper as written in the time of Purim. Each year, The Jewish Link is proud to print one of the articles. Congrats to Leyley Cofnas for this incisive interview with Haman himself.
Recently Haman has been casting lots and making history. Let’s hear his story inside and out.
Questioner: Tell us about your story, Haman.
Haman: It all began when I was peacefully enjoying myself at Achashverosh’s party when suddenly there was a whole fight between him and Vashti. Achashverosh gathered all his best companions (obviously I was one of them) and when he asked me what to do I said that he should kill Vashti and replace her! Good idea right? Achashverosh sure thought so, because he made me second to the king! Anyway, they had this whole beauty contest that lasted for a few years and then Achashverosh chose this girl Esther. I knew she was acting suspicious!
Then one day I was taking a stroll and everybody knows that since I have such power they must bow down to me. But I came across one guy, Mordechai the Jew, and he is so stubborn he just wouldn’t bow to me! I went straight to Achashverosh to ask him to kill the Jews, and guess what! He said yes without even accepting any gold! We set a lottery for the 13th of Adar. I don’t know what I did, but then I was invited to one of Esther’s parties with Achashverosh and at that party I was invited to a second one! I left feeling all important but Mordechai still wouldn’t bow to me! I’m going to have a special way of killing him!
Questioner: Do you think it was a little extreme to decide to kill the whole Jewish nation just because of one man, Mordechai?
Haman: Not at all! One man stands for the whole nation, I say.
Questioner: Do you know why Esther has been inviting you to these parties with only her and Achashverosh? Seems a little strange to me!
Haman: It’s obvious that Esther considers me as part of the family and sees how great I am!
Questioner: What are you going to do that’s extra special for Mordechai’s death?
Haman: Well, my wife gave me the spectacular idea to build a gallow 50 amos high and I think it’s great! In fact, I already started building it in the king’s courtyard!
Questioner: Haman, what will you do if your plan backfires?
Haman: I don’t need to worry about that! What could possibly go wrong?
