הלכות ניסים

And behold, our Sages of blessed memory said (Sukkah 52a) [regarding] "If your enemy is hungry [feed him bread]," etc. (Proverbs 25:21–22), "for you heap coals," etc., "and He will make him be at peace with you." There is much to expound here. For Haman was not worthy that His great Name should be so greatly sanctified [through him]; [therefore] Esther invited Haman, and through this eating — that he ate at her [table] — a measure of holiness entered into him, since he ate food of holiness, as we have likewise explained elsewhere at length. This is why it is written, "And Haman went out [that day]... and glad of heart" (Esther 5:9) — for this points to holiness, as we explained at length. And this is why it is written, "and Haman restrained himself" (Esther 5:9 [5:10]) — for how did forbearance come to Haman? Since, through the aforementioned eating, holiness had entered into him, therefore the Name of Heaven was sanctified through him in his downfall and in his hanging, and from among his descendants [some] taught Torah in public, as has been explained. So may His great and holy Name be magnified and sanctified, blessed be His Name.