Why Jews Laugh at Themselves.

The article analyzes the origin and nature of Jewish humor. According to Australian neurologist Sigmund Freud, the primary thrust of the humor in a classical Jewish joke is directed against one's own group. By turning Qur'anic verses into pointed double entendres, the Arabic iqtibas was used for humorous purposes. The spread of the Jewish humor beyond the Arab humor can be attributed to the Jewish historical experience.