The Talmud in Megillah 13b records Haman's exchange with Achashverosh before the decree. Rava observes: "There was no one who knew evil speech like Haman." Haman said, "Come, let us destroy them." The king hesitated: "I fear their God—what He did to those who came before me." Haman answered: ישנו מן המצוות —they are lax in the commandments. The king noted, "But there are rabbis among them." Haman insisted: עם אחד הן —they are one nation. Then in Megillah 16a, Haman encounters Mordechai teaching his students. He asks what they are studying. They tell him: when the Temple stood, one who donated a mincha would bring a kemitzah of fine flour and receive atonement. Haman looks at them and declares: אתא מלי קומצי קמחא דידכו ודחי עשרה אלפי ככרי כספא דידי —your handful of flour has come and pushed aside my ten thousand talents of silver. Several things demand explanation. First, Haman has specific arguments to Achashverosh. What is the deeper meani...