Anti-Semitism
QUESTION #7: Why is there Anti-Semitism?
Throughout history, philosophers and historians have wondered why the Jews have been hated for so long, by so many, and with such intensity – it even lead to attempts at complete extermination and annihilation.[1] Jews were expelled from over 100 countries![2] Amazingly, the various proposed “reasons” are really just excuses and rationalizations that often contradict one another. Here are some examples:
- Some people have hated us for being communists,[3] while others have hated us for being capitalists.[4]
- Some people have hated us for being poor,[5] while others have hated us for being rich.[6]
- Some people have hated us for being an inferior race,[7] while others have hated us for being too influential, powerful, and dominating society.[8]
- Some people have hated us for being different,[9] while others have hated us for trying to be the same.[10]
With so many contradictory “reasons” for Anti-Semitism, it should be clear that these are all merely excuses, and not the root cause. One of the most common excuses is that Jews just happen to be convenient scapegoats. But being a scapegoat doesn’t explain the cause of hatred – it is simply a good litmus test as to how much hatred is already there beneath the surface (often above the surface).
So why have the Jews been hated so much for so long?
The answer is that when G-d gave the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai, a great sinah (hatred) against the Jews was ingrained in immoral people.[11] On a subconscious level, an immoral person recognizes that the Jews brought G-d and morality into this world. As a result, they come to hate us and target us, although they may not even be fully aware of their real motives, which lie within their subconscious. Moral people, on the other hand, will want to connect with and support Jews, as they too understand subconsciously that we represent G-d’s morality in this world.
So the solution to Anti-Semitism is not for Jews to hide that they are Jewish nor is it to hide Jewish practice and worship. On the contrary, the more we follow our mandate to be a “Light unto the Nations”[12] and spread morality, the more moral the world will become. As the world becomes more moral, more people will subconsciously want to connect with and support Jews. This would create more love not only for Jews, but for all human beings – all of G-d’s children.
To learn more about Anti-Semitism, click on any of the items below:
[1] Megillas Esther (Book of Esther), 3:13; The Third Reich: A Concise History: pp. 180–2 (2007)
[3] The Jewish Community in British Politics. Clarendon Press, Oxford (1983) ; The Jewish Bolshevism, (1922 and 1923), Britons Publishing Society
[4] Anti-Semitism: A Historical Encyclopedia of Prejudice and Persecution, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO, p. 55; Perry, p 156 regarding Marx (2005)
[5] “The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust,” Columbia University Press, p. 215 (2003); Shylock’s children: Economics and Jewish identity in Modern Europe, University of California Press. p. 13
[6] “Jews & Money – The Story of a Stereotype” (Retrieved 2011); Shylock’s children: Economics and Jewish identity in Modern Europe, University of California Press, p. 13
[7]Anti-Semitism: A Very Short Introduction: pp. 57–9 (2007)
[8] Creative Awakening: the Jewish Presence in Twentieth-Century American Literature, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 76; Abraham Foxman, Page 93 (1987)
[9] Das Judenthum in der Musik (“Jewishness in Music”)
[10] Estatutos de Limpieza de Sangre, Pablo A. Chami.
[11] Talmud, Shabbos, 89A
[12] Yishayahu (Isaiah), 42:6 and 49:6
9 Comments
This post is ridiculous. Jewish people were the chosen people until they chose not to accept the Messiah. Now those that accept Christ as their savior are his chosen people- although even if you don’t believe in G-D- he believes in you. We have all been discriminated against for our religious beliefs. For example today China and Russia, thousands- if not millions of people have been killed and imprisoned for their religion practices. These are Christians, Muslims and many other religions that are persecuted EVERYDAY. We have no idea how many people have been murdered for their beliefs because these countries don’t disclose the numbers.
Jenn – While Jesus was Jewish, the vast majority of Jews never accepted him as the Messiah (and certainly not as a God or the son of a God which would be blasphemy from a Jewish perspective) because the associated prophecies relating to the arrival of the Messiah have not yet transpired. As such, we are still waiting for the Messiah and the corresponding prophecies of world peace and the like that are supposed to come along with him.
I’m also proud of the Jewish approach to other religions. We don’t think you will be punished or face mass extermination for not converting to Judaism. We actually believe that ALL people are G-d’s children and we all have the capacity to be rewarded for our good deeds in the Afterlife.
With regard to your other point, while it’s true that LOTS of people from just about all religions have been persecuted, the Jews have arguably been persecuted more consistently and more intensely. As just one example of many, Jews represent a MUCH smaller percentage of the world that than Christianity or Islam – 15 million Jews compared to 1.9 Billion Muslims and 2.3+ Billion Christians (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religious_populations, yet Jews were expelled by OVER 100 Countries (http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/expelled.htm)
The Jews were & ARE THE CHOSEN PEOPLES!!! NOTHING TO DO WITH JESUS,WHO WAS INFACT A JEW!!! WENT AGAINST HIS OWN RELIGION! HE WAS A MAN! 1ST & FOR MOST,NOT THE MESSIAH….WE have yet to see this!!
I mean, they cant really be the light unto nations and spread morality when they mutilate their kids and force religion onto nonconsenting children while permanently damaging them and branding them despite knowing there is a good chance the child wont follow that religion as an adult.
Id say thats actually incredibly immoral to violate another human being like that and force your beliefs on their bodies.
Hi Talyor – The longstanding Jewish practice of circumcision on the 8th day has been ridiculed through much of history as barbaric and unsafe. The practice was banned in many countries and it was even termed a “barbaric and bloody rite” by the Reform movement of Judaism in the 19th century. But with further scientific advances over the past few decades, most medical experts now agree that properly performed circumcisions offer many health benefits for Jews and non-Jews alike.[https://rabbiwithanswers.com/age-of-the-world/#_ftn18]
Most doctor-administered circumcisions are done within the 1st two days of birth, before the baby even leaves the hospital. However, the baby’s vitamin K and prothrombin levels are below normal levels, which can lead to hemorrhages that can even produce serious damage to internal organs, especially to the brain, and cause death from shock and exsanguination.[https://rabbiwithanswers.com/age-of-the-world/#_ftn20] While the most serious consequences are unlikely to occur, doctors routinely inject the baby with vitamin K supplements,[https://rabbiwithanswers.com/age-of-the-world/#_ftn21] prior to the circumcision.
Amazingly, the natural development of vitamin K and prothombin levels in a baby reach, and even exceed, the normal quantities exactly on the 8th day![https://rabbiwithanswers.com/age-of-the-world/#_ftn22] So a baby receiving a circumcision on the 8th day would be in the best position to avoid the possible side effects of hemorrhages,[https://rabbiwithanswers.com/age-of-the-world/#_ftn23] without the aid of any supplements.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY THAT LENINS COMMUNIST PHILOSOPHY IS TAKEN FROM THE EARLY CHRISTIANS
JEWS have been scapegoated out of jealousy, envy and from sources not understood by the hater. JEWS are the chosen tribe of the creator, Jews pay for this favor through jealous
scapegoating by less evolved individuals. Just a brief comment from a non Jew person who would have fought for the jews as my parents did during WW2.
Thank you so much Dorothy for your thoughtful and inspiring. The Jewish people are indebted to your parents and I’m not surprised that they have successfully passed down their values to the next generation.
Thank you again!
Thank you Dorothy!!! You are 100%CORRECT..,WE WILL ALWAYS PAY THE PRICE THROUGHOUT TIME, UNFORTUNATELY,SAYING WE ARE THE CHOSEN ONES!!! HAS DONE IT IRREPARABLE HARM & WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO….I AM ONLY 1/2 JEWISH BUT I TOO WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH FOR MY FATHERS NAME…WHICH HAPPENS TO GO BACK TO THE VERY 1ST RABBI‼️‼️‼️‼️💥”””COHEN”””😎💙🧡💚💜💛🤍WE MUST TRY AND SPREAD PEACE & LOVE 💕 ALWAYS!!!!🌹LOVE WINS ALWAYS….