Why the Jews – Part 1

Prejudice, it seems, is a standard fare of life. In his folksong entitled "National Brotherhood Week," Tom Lehrer sings:

Oh the Protestants hate the Catholics,
and the Catholics hate the Protestants,
and the Hindus hate the Muslims
and everybody hates the Jews.

In this song, Lehrer expresses the truism that hatred for the Jew is uniquely commonplace. The Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, blood libels, pogroms, countless expulsions and the systematic murder of 6 million.

The question is: Why? What lies behind these millennium of hatred? Why has the undercurrent of anti-Semitism bubbled and boiled and exploded against Jews everywhere, time and again throughout history?

In this 8-part seminar, we will examine the root reason for the world's longest hatred.

Causes versus Excuses – How Can We Tell the Difference?

When we study any theory, it is important to distinguish between a "cause" and an "excuse." The difference is not difficult to recognize:

When one thing causes another, if we remove the cause, the effect should vanish. If, on the other hand, one thing is an excuse for another, then even after taking away the excuse, the effect will remain.

A child who is chronically late to school may say in his defense, "But I don’t have a watch. How do you expect me to get to school in time if I don’t have a watch?"

If his parents would buy him a watch and he would still be late for school, then it is clear that the lack of a watch was just an excuse for his lateness, not its cause.

Concerning anti-Semitism, if we succeed in identifying the reason for anti-Semitism, then eliminating that should put an end to hatred for the Jews. However, if we can eliminate it and the hatred remains, then we know that what we thought was a cause is actually an excuse.

The Six Common Reasons for anti-Semitism

Keep this distinction in mind as we explore the six most frequently offered reasons for anti-Semitism. As we touch upon each of these explanations, we will try to ascertain whether it is the cause of the hatred, or merely an excuse.

Historians and sociologists have come up with numerous theories to explain anti-Semitism. We will examine these one by one, and discuss the validity of each.

Economic: Jews are hated because they possess too much wealth and power.
Chosen People: Jews are hated because they arrogantly claim they are the chosen people.
Scapegoat: Jews are a convenient group to single out and blame for all the troubles.
Deicide: Jews are hated because they killed Jesus.
Outsiders: Jews are hated because they are different than the rest of society.
Racial Theory: Jews are hated because they are an inferior race.

Let us examine these six frequently-given reasons and determine if they are truly causes or excuses.

The Economic Theory of Anti-Semitism

The Economic Theory of Anti-Semitism postulates that Jewish wealth and power arouses the envy of other groups, and this in turn leads to great resentment.

This theory has surfaced in different guises throughout history. One of the ways it became popularized was through The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the minutes of fictional “secret meetings” in which Jewish leaders conspire to rule the world. Protocols is a viciously anti-Semitic book created by the Russian secret police.

This fictional account has provided an excellent excuse for campaigns of persecution against Jews, influenced the masses to believe the myth that Jews control governments. It is the second most widely published book in history.

Do people today still believe that Jews have some mysterious financial and organizational advantage over the rest of humanity?

Ancient Chinese Secret

A True Story:

A Jewish physicist who works for Exxon Corporation spent many months working on a project in coordination with a world-renowned scientist from China. The two men developed a good working relationship and became friendly with one another.

One day the Chinese scientist commented to the Jew, "You know, ever since we first met I've been meaning to ask you a question: Why did you become a physicist? Why didn't you just go into business?"

"What kind of question is that?" \ the Jewish scientist replied. "I became a physicist because I wanted to be a physicist!"

"But aren't you Jewish?" the Chinese man persisted.

"So what difference does that make?"

"Well," the Chinese scientist patiently explained, "there would be countless risks involved if I would go into business, but for you it's risk-free!"

"Forgive me, but I'm not following you," said the Jew. "What sort of business is risk-free?"

"For you – any business! Come on," he said with a conspirational wink, "we all know you have the Organization behind you."

"Huh? What 'organization' are you talking about?"

"Come on, everybody knows that all Jewish men get money from the Organization when they get married. That's how all the Jews get started in business. There's no risk involved, because if the business fails, the Organization buys out the debt and then funnels more start-up money to the Jew. This goes on until the fellow hits upon a business that prospers!"

No such fantastically endowed international organization exists. Yet the assumption of this world-class scientist demonstrates that the myth of Jewish access to unlimited wealth is alive and well today.

Applying the Litmus Test

Does this attitude explain anti-Semitism? Is the Economic Theory a cause or an excuse for anti-Semitism?

First, consider universal attitudes toward the rich. We don’t see any sustained historical persecution against wealthy non-Jews. Thus, if the haters decide to single out wealthy Jews and ignore wealthy non-Jews, economics cannot be regarded as the cause for hatred.

Second, if we remove the element of wealth and power from the Jews, does the anti-Semitism vanish?

The Jews who lived in the shtetels of Poland and Russia during the 17th-20th centuries were poor and powerless, utterly lacking any form of influence whatsoever. Yet they were hated. Often they were persecuted and subjected to unspeakable torments. On many occasions entire villages were ransacked and their Jewish inhabitants massacred in cold blood. Under those circumstances, anti-Semitism did not distinguish between rich and poor, between strong and weak, between powerful and powerless.

Likewise, anti-Semites in the Middle Ages initiated countless pogroms against Jews (without first investigating their bank accounts or investment portfolios).

When the Nazis liquidated the Warsaw Ghetto, there were no Jewish businesses to destroy. In fact, the impoverished conditions there were appalling. The Jews in the ghetto could not have been thought of as "rich" by anyone’s standards, and yet the Nazis felt they had to be eliminated.

Poor Jews have always been hated equally as rich Jews. When a Jew meets with financial success, it may set the anti-Semite’s teeth on edge, but the Jew’s success is clearly not what created the anti-Semite. Money therefore cannot be the cause of anti-Semitism.

The Fugu Plan

How about power? Can it be the cause of anti-Semitism?

If someone who is rich and powerful comes to you for a favor, would you persecute him? No, you help him – having such a person indebted to you is a great insurance policy. Case in point is the Arab oil-producing countries who are widely appeased, despite their standards that often fly in the face of Western values.

There was one nation that did treat the Jews as if they were powerful and rich. The Japanese never had much exposure to Jews, and knew very little about them. In 1919 Japan fought alongside the anti-Semitic White Russians against the Communists. At that time the White Russians introduced the Japanese to the book, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

The Japanese studied the book and, according to all accounts, naively believed its propaganda. Their reaction was immediate and forceful – they formulated a plan to encourage Jewish settlement and investment into Manchuria. The Japanese decided that these wealthy and powerful Jews are precisely the people with whom they want to do business!

The Japanese called their plan for Jewish settlement "The Fugu Plan." The "fugu" is a highly poisonous blowfish. After the toxin-containing organs are painstakingly removed, it is used as a food in Japan, and is considered an exquisite delicacy. If it is not prepared carefully, however, its poison can be deadly.

The Japanese saw the Jews as a nation with highly valuable potential, but, as with the fugu, in order to take advantage of that potential, they had to be extremely careful. Otherwise, the Japanese thought, the plan would backfire and the Jews would annihilate Japan with their awesome power.

Duuring World War II, the Japanese were allies of the Nazis, yet they allowed thousands of European refugees – including the entire Mir Yeshivah – to enter Shanghai and Kobe during the war. They welcomed these Jews into their country, not because they bore any great love for the Jews, but because they believed that Jews had access to enormous resources and power which could greatly benefit Japan. (This is all detailed in the book, The Fugu Plan, by Marvin Tokayer.)

If anti-Semites truly believe that Jews rule the world, then why don’t they relate to the Jews like the Japanese did?

The fact that Jews are generally treated as outcasts proves that people do not really believe that Jews are as wealthy or powerful as claimed. In other words, the anti-Semites do not take their own propaganda seriously.

Whatever Happened to Jewish Power?

If there is any truth to the notion that Jews control governments, why couldn’t those powerful Jews convince any country to accept the refugees who were struggling to escape the European inferno during the Holocaust? If "World Jewry" is so powerful and wields such political influence, surely at least one government would have agreed to take them in as refugees and allowed them to stay until the end of the war...

The film Voyage of the Damned dramatically demonstrates how government buried its head in the sand while the wholesale slaughter of Jews went unchecked. As such, the claim that Jews control governments rings painfully absurd.

Jews as Moneylenders

In this same vein, many people say that anti-Semitism has been caused by the fact that Jews were money-lenders in many societies and supposedly extracted their "pound of flesh" from their non-Jewish compatriots.

In fact, just the opposite is true. Jews were forced to become moneylenders precisely because of the severe employment limitations which anti-Semitic trends imposed on them. Anti-Semitic laws made it impossible for Jews to own land, to attend universities or to enter any common occupations. Money was the only commodity in which they were allowed to deal, so lacking any other option, they became money-lenders.

Hence, we see that Jews were not hated because they were money-lenders; rather, they were money-lenders because they were hated.

Powerful Jews or weak Jews, rich Jews or poor Jews – they’ve all been hated equally.

Obviously, the economic reason for anti-Semitism is really an excuse.

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Published: January 28, 2010

Visitor Comments: 57

(47) Albert Hache, May 24, 2013 5:13 AM

we should hate hatred

Why is it important to be a good man?
Death isn’t the end of life. One dies as one has lived. Hatred alone is the enemy.
What man does to his fellow humans, he ultimately does to himself. Hatred is the worst and most powerful weapon of individual and mass destruction. At the center of any true spirituality, or simply personal psychological maturity, lies in the notion that each one is responsible for what happens to himself, and in the Socratic notion that all good things are acquired through one’s growing in virtue. Take the sacred “Ten Commandments” or the injunction “Love your human brother as yourself” they are the essence of any true religion. Jews, Christians, Muslims and others who do not live according to this principle are only religious in name, and are, more often than not, hypocrites and criminals. Hatred cannot enter the heart of a true religious man whose aim is the very “Source of Love, Justice and Perfection”. A religious man is necessarily a good man. God and Good obviously derive from the same root.
The main advice one could give to him, or to any nation, who wishes to survive eternally is to love. He who nourishes hatred in his heart is on the path of certain self-destruction.

(46) Pamela Shapiro, May 19, 2013 12:31 AM

We Jews will Always be Hated

We are hated for one reason, and one reason only: we introduced ethical monotheism to a pagan world. We lived by Hashem's law and became in fact, a light unto the nations. Dark hates the light. By our example, by our Torah and by our G-d, we have shown the world what is expected of them. Just as an alcoholic wants to be around others who drink, and will shy away from those who are recovering, so, too does the dark want to be around others in darkness. We are hated because we love Hashem. We are hated because, by our lives, we show that the world is accountable for its actions. No one whose life is full of great sin wants to hear that.

(45) Steph, May 17, 2013 5:23 AM

It's always baffled me

Being a Chinese Christian, I've never understood why people hated Jews so much. It's not just Hitler, anti-semitism is everywhere, and it makes no sense whatsoever. Why not, I don't know, Buddhists, say? But great article anyways, even though it's hard to explain some people's shitted up minds.

(44) ruth housman, December 17, 2012 8:40 PM

anti Semitism

You are right. It is ubitquitous and won't Quit. I think the litmus test is one we passed a long long time ago, in terms of holding suffering, and keepin it together, through thick and thin. We have suffered. What is the reason for this. Does this have to do with being a Light to all Nations. If so, let the story open into another chapter. Let us say, A Miracle Happened Here. WE SURVIVED against all odds. REJOICE and then, let's go to Jerusalem and pray for a new chapter in an ancient story. It's getting too too old, and we are getting older AND wiser. We want PEACE. We want PEACE NOW, and curiously pace pacis means peace and of peace in Lain, and I say, let's quicken the PACE because that's the English word and it's about time!!!!

(43) Ruth Ann Walters Bivin, September 22, 2012 12:09 AM

Why the Jews

This is rather silly of me to request you to change something for me. Golda said when they began to Love Their Own Children they will stop hating us. I remember what Golda said. I was thinking about each person. I bought Gold's paper back book. My Mother read the book and also Ann's Frank paper back book I had bought because I couldn't afford the hard copy. My Mother also taught me about me a whole lot. I knew Hiter was evil when I was a small child by looking at his face and eyes! I asked my Mother is this Hitler and she said yes. I said he is a bad man, does he have any children and my Mother told me no. I was happy about that because I had a good Father.

(42) Ruth Ann Bivin, September 21, 2012 11:49 PM

Why the Jews

I read the article of "Why the Jews" These people think of anything and everything they can. I have Dennis Prager's book "Why the Jews" The business part. I knew about this from my Father. Mr. Macy began his own business by himself just like other people did. Mr. Macy had a small store where he sold clothes and those Buster Brown High Tops. Mr. Macy began his own business decades ago. I am 74 now and we shopped there all the time. We loved going there! I would call his store Macy's Little Department Store. We really thought a whole lot of Mr. Macy and he thought a whole lot of my Father and my Mother. Mr. Macy even knew our religion. My parents were Baptists and were also Republicans. My Father built his own business along with my Mother's needed help! We grew up with our parents telling their children to support the small businesses and the farmers. They both grew up on farms. I remember a lot of that stupid stuff and the racists attitude of people ever since I was a child. I didn't like this, my parents didn't like this either. Both of my parents brought their ten children up to always support the Jewish people, Israel and Jerusalem. My Mother liked Golda. My Mother liked what Golda said about loving one's children. When they began to love their own children they will stop hating us! Other children too! My Mother would like Benjamin and so would my Father. I know he spells Benjamin different. As my Mother use to say, God loves all his children not matter what their race is. I am thankful my parents are deceased so they do not have to see all of this hate and hate for no reason! My Mother use to say this too I might add.

C.B.Wells., April 11, 2013 9:12 AM

Thank you Ruth Ann.

God loves all his children no matter what their race is - I concur. Like you Ruth Ann, I am a full grown adult ; there's too much hatred in the world. Proverbs 22:6 Says : Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old , he will not depart from it. If you are taught to love others you will love others -that I believe.

(41) Bogdana, September 19, 2012 9:00 PM

Hi, I have a pro-Jews/Israel Youtube channel and I wanted to ask if it would be okay with you if I shared this series by making videos and specifying where the content came from? There is a lot of Anti-Semitism on Youtube and this series would be more than welcome. I would really appreciate an answer. Many blessings!

nadia, February 4, 2013 2:26 AM

Very kind thought

Dear Bogdana, Follow your heart! Your intention seems to me inspired by above! Go ahead! God loves people like you! Imagine how beautiful our world could be with more people like you! Love & Blessings, Nadia

(40) Anonymous, August 27, 2012 2:44 PM

another aspect of Jew-hatred

Glenn is making an interesting point in opposing anti-Semitism to Jew-hatred. Perhaps we should try to find a better word for this scourge of humanity as, for the little I know, words and naming things correctly is an important endeavor of the Jewish tradition. I’ll also try to present what I perceive to be another significant aspect of the subject. I was once invited to the house of a professional Carnatic singer in Madras, South India and, for some reason, was introduced as a Jew. Even visiting Jews are a rarity in the region. Her reaction was that she didn’t know what a Jew was except for the word itself, and from her expression it was clear that it was something not good, something to be suspicious about. I have encountered this reaction twice in my life, but it demonstrates that Jew-hatred is often a hatred not towards a people, but towards some fanciful notion found in the heart of many a brain-washed ignorant. You don’t need to know what a Jew is in order to hate him, he is just the universal scapegoat with a protruding nose, an evil rapacity and a scheming and secret desire to dominate the world.

(39) Glenn, August 26, 2012 2:43 PM

End use of term anti-Semitism

Why do we not obliterare the term anti-Semitism was was invented by Wilhelm Marr, a Germain Jew-hater, in 1880. His purpose was to develop a "sanitized" term for Jew-hatred. Don't we pay homage to Marr every time we use his hideous term? Helen Thomas opines she cannot be an anti-Semite because she is Lebanese. Can evil ever recognize itself if we use euphonious words to describe it? I strongly suggest we confront haters of our people with the unambiguous terms, anti-Jewish, Jew-haters, etc. Although will not end the hatred, it will end anti-Semitism and, at least, give us control of our language and define clearly those who hate.

Carole, August 27, 2012 8:16 PM

End the Use of Term "anti-semitism"

I heartily agree with you, Glenn, and don't understand why Jews have adopted this term that is in actuality a demeaning lie. Let's call this twisted and perverse thing what it is: anti-Jewish.

(38) MinnMan, July 4, 2012 1:14 AM

American Should Love Jews

While these are indeed the six points anti-semites make, there easy to refurt. 1. Americans celebrate wealth. Its true that Jews have done well in the USA....because of hard work and educational achievement. 2. God chose the Jews. That is quite the endorsement of a group of people! 3. Blaming other people for your problems is childish. 4. The Romans killed Jesus, the Jews were an occupied people when Jesus was murdered. 5. I don't think Jews are different than other people, America is full of diverse groups of people. 6. Albert Einstein, etc, etc, Anti-semitism is just hatred, pure and simple.

(37) Patrick, June 6, 2012 1:59 AM

Don't characterise Christians

Abe's/Anonymous’ comments are based only on a veneer of truth. Yes Christian history towards Jews is littered with atrocity. The shoah occured because good people did nothing (not just Christians). Christians today have gone to great lengths to repent of these horrors. Please source the claim that "60 million European Christians believe that...Jews use blood of christian children in Matzah.." . It is a smear capable of generating prejudice against Christians that you would rightly lament if it was against you. That number is grossly inaccurate. Yes, many Arab "Christians" have delusions birthed from the Protocols. Likewise, many church leaders are joining the "new anti-semitism", i.e. delegitimizing Israel and pandering the Palestinian terrorist cause. But these originate from extreme leftism and socialist dogma, not from Christian belief. What of the massive and highly public movement of Christians to repent of the past, AND UNCONDITIONALLY support Israel’s right to her land, and defence against anti-semitism? Some Jews still view this Christian support with extreme cynicism and hostility. Do all Jews respond in this manner? If I was to characterise Jews from that, would it be the same as characterising all Christians in the manner which Abe and Anon have? Surely the Jewish people accept friendship, regardless of the colour, race or creed of those offering it. By the way, Sunday Eucharist, Catholic or otherwise, is NOT about "Jews killing their savior". That is absolutely NOT what this feast pertains to. You make that association by default and by your own choice. This article rightly states that any number of excuses are given for anti-semitism. One of them, and only one of them, is the “Christ-killer” excuse. They are all poor excuses, but this one is particularly poor when held against the light of what Christian teachings ACTUALLY say. Please forgive us for atrocities committed using this excuse, but don’t characterise us by them.

William, June 9, 2012 12:13 AM

Noble

Reply to Patrick. Very noble of you to appologise, on behalf of fellow-Christians, for the atrocities against the Jews. Two Popes did, as did some of Eurpean governments in the past 20 years. But have you noticed that waves and floods of anti-Semitism is, again, sweeping Europe, akin 1930's, not mention 1940's? Did you know that in Poland, today, there is an official radio station "Maryja" that is openly anti-Semitic in their broadcasts? It is, I believe, owned, and run, by the Catholic Church. One of its owners is, in fact, a priest. I do not write this note from Poland, but I know of "Maryja's" existance. And what is Polish government doing about this fairy station? Absolutely nothing! Democratic freedom of speach? No, more like a stealthy support. Hence the silence. What happened to the surviving Jewish population of Poland since the end of WW2? Recall 1989 in Poland, if you will, when the then-Polish government forcibly removed Jews from that country. Look at what is happening in France today, in regards to the Jews. In some European countries anti-Semitism is hard to miss and even harder to avoid. I was alway told that the best anti-Semitism is the one in the open, unlike the one that is hidden just under the surface. Major reason for anti-Semitism, historicaly? Money, finances, especially in 13th to17th centuries: every monarch needed funds to wage wars. Where best to go for those funds? To the Jew. But then the dept has to be repaid, so what is the best avenue? Banish the Jews from the country. Can you think of a better solution, other than killing them? Think about it, Patrick.

Anonymous, August 29, 2012 2:04 PM

christian activities and double messages

While in Israel, I was amazed at the number of Christian missionaries aggressively working their way into Jewish life and Jewish homes. They prey upon new immigrants from all over the world distributing the xtian bible (combined 'old' and 'new' with their own translation) in Hebrew, so naive immigrants (who can't understand Hebrew) searching for authentic Judaism accept gratefully not knowing the intentions. The missionaries hold 'Jewish' holiday celebrations and invite immigrants-they naively attend and encounter xtianizing propaganda when they thought it was just a Chanukah or Purim party. Missionaries attend ulpan where Jewish immigrants will be found in big numbers. While I heard that proselytizing is illegal in Israel, it doesn't seem to be enforced. After all the police have enough to do dealing with terrorism.

(36) Anonymous, May 22, 2012 8:53 PM

Read Aba Eban's Book, "The stroy of my people" where the infallible Pope said, "Kill a Jew and save a soul",

I understand in Catholic Churches, on Sundays the priest distributes wine and bread after the service, (copying Jewish Shabbat), While ours is to praise, bless and thank G-d for the Sabbath, the church uses this weekly occasion as a symbolic reminder to its congregation that the wine is the blood and the bread is the body with reference to the Jews killing their savior.

(35) abe silverman, April 16, 2012 7:47 PM

why Christian europe hated Jews

It is always interesting to me why we always seem to gloss over the reasons why Christian Europe hated Jews. Hitler's success in the implemetation of the final solution was a result of a 1000 years of Church teachings that the Jews killed the Christian God. Hitler found enthusiastic colaberators in every country that he occupied. Many Christians where quick to identify their Jewish neighbors to the Nazi's making the round up and deportation of Jews much easier. In a recent survey some 60 million Europeens today believe that the Jews killed Jesus and the Jews use the blood of Christian children to make matzo.

(34) Paul Zepeda, April 16, 2012 5:29 PM

Fundamental reason for Jewish hatred

Although every reason or excuse stated by different people or governments at different times in history for hatred against the Jews, there still remains a fundamental reason from the very beginning. It began when God chose Isaac instead of Ishmael. The hatred and jealousy the Arabs have exhibited towards Isaac's descendants (way before any Jews existed) has spread and been used and disseminated through out the world. It was appropriated by the Nazis and by the Russians to advance their own purposes and infected and infested most of all the other countries. Everybody needs a dog to kick when things go wrong and the Jews were handy and available. Human nature is evil to the core when unrestrained.

(33) Henry Wiltschek, April 16, 2012 3:28 AM

As a rule - people on street know little about Jews and traditions

Those people who are anti-semitic are usually terribly ignorant about Jews. They don't know, that Jews were never allowed to have an " honorable trade "m but were relegated to handle second hand goods, collect What other people have discarded ( thereby collected rags,metals and all kinds of other junk ) thousands of years ago. Christians were not allowed to make money with money, but Jews were. Money was a dirty word - and did not have value As when somebody made a table, shoed a horse etc. - wealthy people gave their money to the Jews to make them more money and of top of it they would charge the Jews protection money. Some kings would give them land, but it all came with a price tag. The Jews could not win for losing. This system made and forced them to become " loan-sharks " so to speak. Since they were not allowed to have a conventional trade ( by the Trade Guilds ) they become good Merchants and Professional people ( doctors, lawyers, accountants etc. successful entertainers,Musicians, Artists ) This in brief and of course, if Jews have achieved success, there are always people who are envious.

(32) T, April 15, 2012 4:43 PM

It doesn't matter

reasons, cause, effect, true, false, it's all nonsense. The bottom line is we are hated! plain and simple. The real reasons, whether to or not has been long forgotten and in the minds of subsequent generations the Jews continue to be hated. The question is: how long do we dwell upon the reasons, and remain stagnant with the same problem, or do we finally say: It doesn't matter. We must find a way to change the haltered which exists in the hearts and minds of the Goyim. Stop dwelling on the reasons which do not exist and begin a plan that makes shows Jews for what they really are....honest, trustworthy, compassionate, caring, giving, not only about our own, but for everyone.. When a goyish child is killed because of hatred, let the Jews stand up and be heard! where there is genocide in the world, let the Jews stand up and protest. Every life treasured. When the world sees that, their hearts will soften. Lets tell the world who we really are, not what they perceive us to be!!

ZS, April 16, 2012 10:24 AM

NO AMOUNT OF PERSUADING WILL HELP

Your problem lies in the fact that you think that showing them what Jews really are, will stop their hatred towards us, but that's the whole point of the article, to show us that their hatred is inherent and we just have to realize that NOTHING in the world will EVER make them like us until 'moshiach' will come. Despite the above, we have to make sure not to give the non-Jews' hatred any reasons to expand. We have make sure to sanctify G-d's name by always behaving in a way that truly befits our nation and then those who look for the truth - will find it.

Nicole, November 21, 2012 2:13 PM

I feel bad

I'm sorry that the Jews have encountered so much hatred. I don't really know much about the religion because I'm not religious at all. I am very spiritual & I do believe that our spirits do have to answer to higher being. Everyone is entitled their own belief and that makes us all unique in our life experiences. This is totally off topic, but I would like to know where do you find Jewish friends? I've had Muslim friends as well, and they're not as traditional & the propaganda about Muslims aren't true from what I see. Again, I will go and read about why god chose him over the other. I'm just trying to be informed is why I'm on this forum.

(31) Gregory Landenburg, April 15, 2012 3:58 PM

Hunger fuels accomplishment

In my life, I've been the brunt of anti-Semitic comments from friends and colleagues alike. Why? I was hungry to learn and succeed, much like the Yeshivot of Europe. I've found that unsuccessful people (be it education or financial) never put in the work to achieve that success. I've read, studied, learned languages, gotten colleges degrees, made money, all because I have an insatiable desire to learn about the world I live in. Those that have slung anti-Semitic barbs at me share one thing in common: they are losers; they are uneducated and they are lazy -- three things the Jews have never been. Anti-Semites can't look deeply and say "Gee, I'm a loser; perhaps I should learn Calculus." That would be too simple. The blame game is easy, like switching an oven onto 350F; it takes no effort. I was hungry for knowledge and with knowledge comes accomplishment. Uniformly, my bosses have been gentile, but they recognize someone who values learning above blaming as learning attracts value-added and blaming keeps one/or an organization stuck in the mud. I thank God every day that I was born a Jew; despite the name-calling and bullying that accompanied it, that has all disolved into the ethers, and I'm left with a rich and well-learned life for which I wouldn't trade for anything. Thank you, God.

Josef zuares, April 18, 2012 7:46 PM

Well said!People unwilling to learn from you to better themselves,will rather kill you so they may not see their own mediocrity.

(30) Vlad Seder, January 9, 2012 7:14 PM

the irony of the Fugu plan

The irony of the Fugu plan story is that in essence the Japanese were right: the Jews indeed had access to enormous resources and power - the Japanese just were mistaken of the nature of those enormous resources and power. They are called Torah. The story has another interesting point: it's how HaShem turns even utter garbage to work toward fulfillment of His plan - in essence, the existence of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" was used to cause saving of Mir Yeshiva - which after the Holocaust became the major focal point of the rebirth of Judaism.

(29) Darla, December 11, 2011 7:16 AM

Question...

...did no one read the post from "Muhamad harrist, Intresting fact!"?? This is so incredibly stupid it doesn't deserve mention, yet I am surprised no one replied to the post. Any comments??

(28) Anonymous, November 6, 2011 12:51 PM

we must keep together, single antidote for antisemitism

It is there, was and will be, dangerous, we are helpless or are we? THere is one solution. Keeping together, being there for one another, making Shalom between one another. In esponse. Mida kenneged Mida H'' will make Shalom between us. It really does work and requires minimal effort, just greet yur fellow Jew warmly, sincerely, hatred dissapears, concern, caring, understandig takes its place. Try it. Success Guaranteed.

(27) REBECCA, November 3, 2011 4:00 PM

SO BEAUTIFUL STATED

THIS ARTICLE WAS SO CLEARLY PUT & I REALLY ENJOYED IT.

(26) Muhamad harrist, November 3, 2011 3:47 PM

Intresting fact!

last month I work with Jews , and they treated me very nice even I am a moslem! at first time I not thinking that my boss are jews! but after I talk with Him! I know from his name! after a month I work with him! I think Jews are ok! and not bad like other peoples said! but to be honest I think at some point you right about jews! they are the choosen rases! cause my boss really Knows How to make easy money! ;) he make 9k usd per/day and last years they make 1 millions usd! ! and he pay me about 3k usd/month! for doing easy jobs! bottom line is! Jews are really knows when do business ! and I think they have a gift! how to think out the box! :) even I am impress with him!(my boss) :) but since I am realize that they doing something bad so I stop to work with them! anyway I think that is myopinion about jews! and to be honest! I dont hate! Jews! but I dont like about theirs buisiness! because they never think about others peoples! or etc.! :)

Darla, December 11, 2011 7:14 AM

ARE YOU SERIOUS???????????

Learn to think. Learn to write.

(25) Tova, November 2, 2011 10:57 AM

Well done - one of the best articles I've ever read on this subject.

I will forward this article to my three teenage grandsons and other friends and family. We often ask "why do they hate us?" and there never seems to be an answer. Damned if we do and damned if we don't.

(24) Jeannie, September 24, 2011 4:08 AM

Faith hate

I could never understand hating because of religion. I should think that if you TRULY believe that your way is the RIGHT way, then, you should feel smug knowing that the ones who don't agree aren't going to heaven/nirvana, etc. Why would you HURT someone? I've always been a Cherokee Jew. You can figure that one out for yourself!

(23) Henry Wiltschek, September 22, 2011 8:15 PM

Jews as Moneylenders

The last paragraph describes it best. People on the street don't know, that Jews were always mistreated, taken advantage of and dicriminated for a few htousand years.. The Trade Guilds did not allow them to have a trade, but relegated them to - unclean - 2nd hand goods, picking up rags, metals, glass and garbage. And actually, some people have become quite wealthy today, because of it. -And sheer hard work to survive. - Christians were never allowed to " handle " money and charge interest, but Jews were. In the middle ages in Europe, kings and people of wealth gave their money to the Jews to make them more money. It actually forced the Jews into the position of Moneylenders and Loan Sharks. - Money was a dirty word, - give it ot the JEWS ! - of no value, versus a carpenter who would make you a table or piece of furniture. The Jews had to pay these Aristrocrats, Kings and while making money for them, also had to pay them " protection money ". These kings would give them land to live on, but all at a heavy price. - Jews were blamed for every illness, natural catastrophy, the black plague - In spite of this, this forced Jews to become good merchants, bankers, business and professional people. And not all Jews are wealthy, as we know.. If our population would know and learn more about Jewish History and its people. - This would dispel a great deal of discrimination.

(22) Anonymous, September 2, 2011 1:25 PM

Anti-Semitism is totally irrational.

After reading this well reasoned article, it becomes clear that anti-Semitism is totally irrational. Is it, then, possible to make sense of something irrational? And if it is not possible to make sense of it, how will we ever get rid of this shameful scourge, which is still potent and widespread today.

(21) Kristina Nilsen, August 31, 2011 11:05 PM

"the signs of jews"

Why do people of all times have to blame the jews for being great businessmen? They are just jealous because they did not think of it...! I wish the typical comment soon would be: " as clever as a jew". I am neither jewish or christian. I have my own believes, and I would like people to respect me for that!!!!!

(20) Ciccio, June 11, 2011 11:54 PM

Why the Jews became money lenders.

Both Christianity and Islam considered money lending evil, Islam still does and there is no interest in shariah, only the slight cost of filling out paperwork which by the sheerest coincidence happens to by just a touch higher than prevailing interest rates. That aside we have learned that neither trade or business can grow or flourish without credit and when Christians were prohibited by the church from lending money at interest, the Jews found the perfect niche. As we have seen in the last few years, the most profitable business ever is dealing in money, the stupidity of the church opened up that market for the Jews. Needless to say those few princes and lords who kept their wealth liquid were only to happy to let the Jews do the dirty work for them.

(19) albert hirschsprung, June 1, 2011 5:43 PM

would the jews be so openly hated if they werent a minoriity?

The vast majority of human beings is cowardly, and would rather bully the weak, or whoever is perceived as such, rather than act rationally or with a courage that may put their precious life at risk. It also seems to be the natural propensity of children and animals to oppress the weaker member of their group and those who appear to be different or lame. Everywhere manorities have been persecuted. If there were one billion jews no one would dare hate them openly. Just as no one dares to oppose the Chinese despite their cynical exploitation of African ressources and their unfair appropriation and repression of Tibet.

(18) Anonymous, May 2, 2011 11:16 PM

Jealousy

The beginning and ending of all this is Jealousy. The other nations believe that we are different and have been selected by G-d. For that reason, we are closer to Him and they feel disenfranchised and second class citizens if you will. They do not understand that they Ava place as well. So, they manufacture their truth and the real TRUTH becomes threat. We represent that Truth and therefor we cannot exist. The story of Isaac and Ishmael and the story of Jacob and Esau are the root of this. The question is, why did HaShem arrange this this way

(17) Anonymous, May 1, 2011 7:48 PM

Great article, but ....

I find it as one of the most comprehensive works on this subject. Good for Jews and Gentiles, but. As a Jew born in an Islamic country and having witnessed the "Islamic type of Jew hatred", I wish the author or other ones would also investigate in this phenomena which has similarities as well as differences with the western type of anti semitism. While on the subject, what about "Leftist and intellectual" hatred of Jews under the guise of defending the Palestinians.

(16) ruth housman, May 1, 2011 7:43 PM

Hatred

I deeply believe people bond when they have scapegoats, someone to blame for the problems that are personal and global, and it seems somehow, we got "the job" but of course we're not the only ones who are targets of virulent kinds of hatred, hatred that has no logic, and I think trying to analyze logic in all of this, is a waste of time. Hatred in its total lillogic, conveys to those that practice it, some kind of unassailable logic that cannot for them be analyzed. That would sink their ship. I do not like, by the way, the notion of Chosen, and when I see this anywhere, I cringe. Chosen for what? To encounter pogroms. To be targeted for elimination in the Holocaust and beyond? I don't use the word chosen in any shape or form, because it is loaded in connotation, and it's so easily used against us. But then, anything would be, IF people are inclined to hate, they will choose the old standbys. Stereotypes don't eliminate themselves unless children are taught to love, and programs that throw out the seeds of we're all in this together, well they are necessary, to combat the insidious nature of hatred wherever it is sown.

(15) Frank Adam, May 1, 2011 4:50 PM

As they said in pre-Nazi Germany

Warum die Radfahrer? Why the cyclists?

(14) Grace Fishenfeld, May 1, 2011 4:11 PM

A Little Help From Friends

The interesting remark by the Chinese physicist- relates to the story I often tell about my Polish grandparents who settled in the USA in 1904. Grandpa came over six years before my grandma. He tried and tried to establish himself well enough to send for his wife and child but could not find work as a cabinet maker consistently enough to pay rent for housing his young family. As soon as Grandma came to this country, she learned of a group of landsman who pooled their money and offered interest free loans. That is how my grandparents went into The ROYAL CABINETS, manufacturing kitchen and dining room sets, on Stone Avenue in Brooklyn. Immigrants loaned each other money to start an enterprise, educate children and place deposits on homes. They helped each other. Everything had to be paid back. That may be what the Chinese physicist may have heard about when he said that Jews can not fail because they have an ORGANIZATION. The OXY, was an interest free lending association. Jews did not expect that banks would help them in the same way, so they helped each other

(13) patricia jones, April 18, 2011 1:28 AM

why the jews?

A wonderful, eloquent and revealing article. Kudos to the author for his insight and explanation of 'Why the Jews'.

(12) bonnie maillie, March 17, 2011 5:55 PM

The burden of hate

The Jewish people have experienced such hate .The likes maybe we saw on 911. Do we fully understand this hate? I just know it begins with and ends with me. Blessed is he who blesses Israel. 100% deserving of my love and heart. END HATE NOW

(11) David Kay, January 5, 2011 7:25 PM

changed my perspective

I found your "Why the Jews" online seminar while doing some history research on the Holocaust. Now when I come across any anti-Semites, I have a page to send them to for re-education. Thank you for your clear and logical revelation of the truth.

(10) Carole Clarke, December 19, 2010 9:30 PM

Convenient to Blame the Jews

When you want to blame a group for something terrible, you rationally pick a much smaller, non-majority group that has no backing, can field no warrior class to defend itself and might be able to buy itself off. After the diaspora that followed the fall of the Second Temple by the Romans, the Jews were "guests" all over the known world and were easy to push around. The Holocaust was the sum total of all those hates. But now we have Israel who has a feared military and special ops teams that can reach anywhere on the planet. Never again. Now the blamers try to blame Israel but it doesn't work anymore, they look bad and their efforts fail. Hey, turn about is fair play!

(9) Moshe, September 20, 2010 5:27 PM

The protocols of the elders of zion and the Henry Ford´s International jew are good documents that dive in the feeling towards semitic people. With at least 109 documented jewis expulsions around the world it is hard to say "they hate me cuz im cute/rich/whatever" Something must be radically wrong with the way jews behave towards those who are not jew.

(8) Craig, September 15, 2010 4:49 PM

Understanding the pivotal point in modern history

I am reading "I will bear Witness" by Klemperer, and it astounds me how he survived, if only to tell his story. He describes in excruciating detail the blind oppression he and his aquaintances endured; for some reason it has made me ask the most answered question: why were the Jews targetted? The answers above seem logical, even if they are not referenced by historical research... but they don't seem to explain everything. There seems to be a bigger issue here, so big I can't put words to it. Something to do with changing the course of human history. But I can't unravel it.

Sydelle Marian Sydney, November 6, 2012 7:48 PM

Gods' laws are above mans'.

The mission of the Jew is to bring Gods' Laws to mankind as he cannot live by bread alone. Not all men wish to live by the 10 commandments.

(7) Anonymous, September 6, 2010 4:20 AM

people who are ruled by hatred are not thinkers

I've been puzzling over this question. I think hatred of Jews continues because many people don't put any thought into their own beliefs - just accepting whatever they have heard in the past. They don't have the personal integrity to examine whether their convictions are based on truth or poorly disguised lies. Also, people who are greedy seem to be the most worried about Jews having money. They hate in us everything that they don't dare hate in themselves.

(6) Audrey Dalley, September 6, 2010 3:25 AM

Not all Christians.............

If a person calls himself a Christian & blames Jews for killing Christ, he knows nothing of Christianity. I have been a Christian for more than 40 years & not once have I thought of hating Jews for killing Christ. My father's family is of German descent but I certainly don't hold them responsible for the Holocaust. Because of the Holocaust, my father refuses to acknowledge his German ancestry & claims his Swedish background. The Kansas based church who travels the country claiming "G-d hates fags" is another example of evil people claiming to be Christians. Authentic Christians do not hate anyone, especially Jews. We as Christians know that you are G-d's chosen people. Many of us stand in support of Israel; we speak out against Palestine; we support organizations that support Israel. Any Christian who hate a Jew is not a Christian but a moron.

(5) Alaine Apap Bologna, August 2, 2010 4:22 PM

Two thousand years of shame

I'm sixty-two years old and I still can't (quite) figure out how the Christians, who were to follow the teachings of a Jew, tortured and massacred over 2,000 years the Jews, who never behaved so badly. Perhaps, before I die, I'll be able to comprehend why so much atrocities were commited in the name of "love".

(4) Ken, July 25, 2010 2:55 AM

In the current context, I can only think of one reason why hatred against the Jews still exist. It has got to do with the fact that the Jews are rich in every sense of the word "rich." The Jews are rich in beauty, intellect, tradition, economic well-being and most importantly G-d love. The hatred has its roots in parts in jealousy, discrimination against, and desire to dominate the Jews. Even if the biblical or historical reasons for such hatred thawed out through time, those with the foregoing reasons for hatred would revive the feuds of bygone eras, relive them and find more reasons for hatred. This exacerbates the extent of hatred. With The Almighty love and protection as the chosen ones, the Jews will always be few steps ahead of others. Since the Jews are going for quality instead of quantity, I will always be a supporter of Zionism although I'm not a Jew. And, I believe so must all Jews and people of Jewish faith.

(3) Anonymous, July 20, 2010 4:50 PM

It has always been so convenient to hate Jewish people. The deadliest have always come to the point of doing anything they want and they think that they get away with it. No one is perfect but the prejudice is intolerable, however the Jewish people are and will always be survivors and that in an of itself is a G-d given talent. One reason for all the study and opinion and more study, perhaps disagreements as to what a passage in the Tanakh means and then there is more study and it goes on. In everything that an observant Jewish person does is inherently proving that survival will always be there. For all the non-observant Jewish people, or as someone said in the commentary... they could be anything, it is because they are Jewish they will be persecuted. I, too have been persecuted for 62 years and G-d is the only ONE that protects me in the big picture, in the little one I have my will and my legal registered hand gun.

(2) Antonio Perez, July 19, 2010 4:02 PM

Why the Jews?

My experience for the hatred and discrimination against Jews is really that they hate the Almighty. They can't act out their hate against Him so they take it out on Jews. A Jew can be observant, non-observant, an atheist, a communist, a Christian, a Buddhist, conservative, liberal, whatever, it doesn't matter. The point is is that the person is a Jew and that is enough to hate him or her, young or old. That is my understanding of it. My mother is a Jew born of Jewish parents. Her mother converted to Catholicism. My mother attended a Catholic school. In 1930 on her way home from first grade, a little girl her age ran up behind her yelling "Christ killer!", pushed my mother to the ground, breaking her nose, and ran off. This is the world as it is without love and without a consciousness of the Almighty. I have to accept it but I don't have to tolerate it. Love everyone and trust God to even out the balances. Jews are and will always be God's chosen people.

(1) Willy, July 19, 2010 10:44 AM

Christians hate the Jews because of the death of Jesus.a couple of years after my grandpa died on dads side I found out that he was Jewish. I happened to mention it to some people at work and he told me that my grandpa is an Christ killer. I told him that my grandpa was about 89 years old not 2000. He said that it made no difference. I told him that Ezekiel teaches that the sins of the father are not upon the son nor the son upon the father when I told my mom what I had found out about grandpa she asked me how I felt about it. I told her you kidding me? My grandpa is Jewish that means that I am related to Abraham. cool this is great message

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