Then Haman investigated the twelve signs of the zodiac in relation to Israel, and again it appeared that Adar was the most unfavorable month for the Jews. The first constellation, the Ram, said to Haman, "'Israel is a scattered sheep,' and how canst thou expect a father to offer his son for slaughter?" The Bull said: "Israel's ancestor was 'the firstling bullock.'" The Twins: "As we are twins, so Tamar bore twins to Judah." The Crab: "As I am called Saratan, the scratcher, so it is said of Israel, 'All that oppress him, he shall scratch sorely.'" The Lion: "God is called the lion, and is it likely the lion will permit the fox to bite his children?" The Virgin: "As I am a virgin, so Israel is compared unto a virgin." The Balance: "Israel obeys the law against unjust balances in the Torah, and must therefore be protected by the Balance." The Scorpion: "Israel is like unto me, for he, too, is called scorpion." The Archer: "The sons of Judah are masters of the bow, and the bows of mighty men directed against them will be broken." The Goat: "It was a goat that brought blessing unto Jacob, the ancestor of Israel, and it stands to reason that the blessing of the ancestor cannot cause misfortune to the descendant." The Water-bearer: "His dominion is likened unto a bucket, and therefore the Water-bearer cannot but bring him good." (109) The Fishes were the only constellation which, at least according to Haman's interpretation, made unfavorable prognostications as to the fate of the Jews. It said that the Jews would be swallowed like fishes. God however spake: "O thou villain! Fishes are sometimes swallowed, but sometimes they swallow, and thou shalt be swallowed by the swallowers." (110) And when Haman began to cast lots, God said: "O thou villain, son of a villain! What thy lots have shown thee is thine own lot, that thou wilt be hanged." (111) THE DENUNCIATION OF THE JEWS