ABSTRACT
Sarcasm is a powerful tool that can be used to devastate one's religious opponents, heretics, or just plain smart alecks. Sarcastic retorts can also be directed at friends who might enjoy a good quip or even, reflexively, towards the speaker himself when it becomes a self-mocking, self-deprecating type of humor. Sarcasm is a powerful tool that can be used to devastate one's religious opponents, heretics, or just plain smart alecks. Sarcastic retorts can also be directed at friends who might enjoy a good quip or even, reflexively, towards the speaker himself when it becomes a self-mocking, self-deprecating type of humor. Although sarcasm was considered an appropriate response when dealing with a heretic or a boor, and even a standard mode of repartee between colleagues, the sages of the Talmud recognized that a cutting remark is sometimes uncalled for and could be quite hurtful.
