Jews have always been known for their humor. It's as if the world recognizes that there is something particularly Jewish about humor and that humor is part of the essence of Judaism. Humor doesn't have to be light. It doesn't have to lead to scoffing, to derision. Comedy is a serious business.
Jewish humor is about the absurd.
It's about the human condition itself. Moishe and Shloime are lying shivering in their tattered coats on two iron beds. Behind every Jewish joke there's a Jewish tear. Tears of sadness. Tears of joy.