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The New Anti-Semitism
by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
What it is and how to deal with it.
In January 2000, heads of state or senior representatives of 44 governments met in Stockholm to commit themselves to a continuing program of Holocaust remembrance and the fight against anti-Semitism. Barely two years later, synagogues and Jewish schools in France and Belgium were being firebombed, and Jews were being attacked in the streets.
The distinguished Chief Rabbi of France, Rabbi Joseph Sitruk, advised Jews not to wear yarmulkas in the street. The French Jewish intellectual Alain Finkielkraut wrote, 'The hearts of the Jews are heavy. For the first time since the war, they are afraid." Shmuel Trigano, professor of sociology at the University of Paris, openly questioned whether there was a future for Jews in France. Never again had become ever again.
Basing Jewish identity on memories of persecution is a mistake.
In February 2002 I gave my first speech on the new anti-Semitism. Never before had I spoken on the subject. I had grown up without a single experience of anti-Semitism. I believed, and still do, that the whole enterprise of basing Jewish identity on memories of persecution was a mistake.
The distinguished Holocaust historian Lucy Dawidowicz reached the same conclusion at the end of her life. She warned of the danger of a whole generation of children growing up knowing about the Greeks and how they lived, the Romans and how they lived, the Jews and how they died. I wrote Radical then, Radical now, specifically to focus Jewish identity away from death to life, suffering to celebration, grief to joy.
The return of anti-Semitism, after 60 years of Holocaust education, interfaith dialogue and antiracist legislation is a major event in the history of the world. Far-sighted historians like Bernard Lewis and Robert Wistrich had been sounding the warning since the 1980s. Already in the 1990s, Harvard literary scholar Ruth Wisse argued that antisemitism was the most successful ideology of the twentieth century. German fascism, she said, came and went. Soviet communism came and went. Anti-Semitism came and stayed.
It is wrong to exaggerate. We are not now where Jews were in the 1930s. Nor are Jews today what our ancestors were: defenseless, powerless and without a collective home. The State of Israel has transformed the situation for Jews everywhere. What is necessary now is simply to understand the situation and sound a warning. That is what Moses Hess did in 1862, Judah Leib Pinsker in 1882 and Theodor Herzl in 1896: 71, 51 and 37 years respectively before Hitler's rise to power. To understand is to begin to know how to respond, with open eyes and without fear.
Today's anti-Semitism is a new phenomenon, continuous with, yet significantly different from the past. To fathom the transformation, we must first define what anti-Semitism is. In the past Jews were hated because they were rich and because they were poor; because they were capitalists (Marx) and because they were communists (Hitler); because they kept to themselves and because they infiltrated everywhere; because they held tenaciously to a superstitious faith (Voltaire) and because they were rootless cosmopolitans who believed nothing (Stalin).
Anti-Semitism mutates, defeating the immune system set up by cultures to protect themselves against hatred.
Anti-Semitism is not an ideology, a coherent set of beliefs. It is, in fact, an endless stream of contradictions. The best way of understanding it is to see it as a virus. Viruses attack the human body, but the body itself has an immensely sophisticated defense, the human immune system.
How then do viruses survive and flourish? By mutating. Anti-Semitism mutates, and in so doing, defeats the immune systems set up by cultures to protect themselves against hatred. There have been three such mutations in the past two thousand years, and we are living through the fourth.
The first took place with the birth of Christianity. Before then there had been many Hellenistic writers who were hostile to Jews. But they were also dismissive of other non-Hellenistic peoples. The Greeks called them barbarians. There was nothing personal in their attacks on Jews. This was not anti-Semitism. It was xenophobia.
This changed with Christianity. As was later to happen with Islam, the founders of the new faith, largely based on Judaism itself, believed that Jews would join the new dispensation and were scandalized when they did not. Jews were held guilty of not recognizing – worst still, of being complicit in the death of – the messiah. A strand of Judeophobia entered Christianity in some of its earliest texts, and became a fully-fledged genre, the 'Adversos Judaeos' literature, in the days of the Church Fathers. From here on, Jews – not non-Christians in general – became the target of what Jules Isaac called the 'teaching of contempt'.
The second mutation began in 1096 when the Crusaders, on their way to conquer Jerusalem, stopped to massacre Jewish communities in Worms, Speyer and Mainz, the first major European pogrom. In 1144 in Norwich there was the first Blood Libel, a myth that still exists today in parts of the Middle East. Religious Judeophobia became demonic. Jews were no longer just the people who rejected Christianity. They began to be seen as a malevolent force, killing children, desecrating the host, poisoning wells and spreading the plague. There were forced conversions, inquisitions, burnings at the stake, staged public disputations, book burnings and expulsions. Europe had become a 'persecuting society'.
We can date the third mutation to 1879 when the German journalist Wilhelm Marr coined a new word: anti-Semitism. The fact that he needed to do so tells us that this was a new phenomenon. It emerged in an age of Enlightenment, the secular nation state, liberalism and emancipation. Religious prejudice was deemed to be a thing of the past. The new hatred had therefore to justify itself on quite different grounds, namely race.
This was a fateful development, because you can change your religion. You cannot change your race. Christians could work for the conversion of the Jews. Racists could only work for the extermination of the Jews. So the Holocaust was born. Sixty years after the word came the deed.
Unlike its predecessors, new anti-Semitism focuses not on Jews as a religion or race, but as a nation.
Today we are living through the fourth mutation. Unlike its predecessors, the new anti-Semitism focuses not on Judaism as a religion, nor on Jews as a race, but on Jews as a nation. It consists of three propositions. First, alone of the 192 nations making up the United Nations, Jews are not entitled to a state of their own. As Amos Oz noted: in the 1930s, anti-Semites declared, 'Jews to Palestine'. Today they shout, 'Jews out of Palestine'. He said: they don't want us to be there; they don't want us to be here; they don't want us to be.
The second is that Jews or the State of Israel (the terms are often used interchangeably) are responsible for the evils of the world, from AIDS to global warming. All the old anti-Semitic myths have been recycled, from the Blood Libel to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, still a best-seller in many parts of the world. The third is that all Jews are Zionists and therefore legitimate objects of attack.
The bomb attacks on synagogues in Istanbul and Djerba, the arson attacks on Jewish schools in Europe, and the almost fatal stabbing of a young yeshiva student on a bus in North London in October 2000, were on Jewish targets, not Israeli ones. The new anti-Semitism is an attack on Jews as a nation seeking to exist as a nation like every other on the face of the earth, with rights of self-governance and self-defense.
How did it penetrate the most sophisticated immune system ever constructed – the entire panoply of international measures designed to ensure that nothing like the Holocaust would ever happen again, from the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) to the Stockholm declaration of 2000? The answer lies in the mode of self-justification. Most people at most times feel a residual guilt at hating the innocent. Therefore anti-Semitism has always had to find legitimation in the most prestigious source of authority at any given time.
In the first centuries of the Common Era, and again in the Middle Ages, this was religion. That is why Judeophobia took the form of religious doctrine. In the nineteenth century, religion had lost prestige, and the supreme authority was now science. Racial anti-Semitism was duly based on two pseudo-sciences, social Darwinism (the idea that in society, as in nature, the strong survive by eliminating the weak) and the so-called scientific study of race.
By the late twentieth century, science had lost its prestige, having given us the power to destroy life on earth. Today the supreme source of legitimacy is human rights. That is why Jews (or the Jewish state) are accused of the five primal sins against human rights: racism, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, attempted genocide and crimes against humanity.
That is where we are. How then shall we respond? There are three key messages, the first to Jews, the second to anti-Semites, and the third to our fellow human beings in this tense and troubled age. As Jews we must understand that we cannot fight anti-Semitism alone. The victim cannot cure the crime. The hated cannot cure the hate. Jews cannot defeat anti-Semitism. Only the cultures that give rise to it can do so.
European Jews in the nineteenth and early twentieth century made one of the most tragic mistakes in history. They said: Jews cause anti-Semitism, therefore they can cure it. They did everything possible. They said, 'People hate us because we are different. So we will stop being different.' They gave up item after item of Judaism. They integrated, they assimilated, they married out, they hid their identity. This failed to diminish anti-Semitism by one iota. All it did was to debilitate and demoralize Jews.
We need allies. Jews have enemies but we also have friends and we must cultivate more. I have helped lead the fight against Islamophobia; I ask Muslims to fight Judeophobia. I will fight for the right of Christians throughout the world to live their faith without fear; but we need Christians to fight for the right of Jews to live their faith without fear.
The most important thing Jews can do to fight anti-Semitism is to never internalize it.
The most important thing Jews can do to fight anti-Semitism is never, ever to internalize it. That is what is wrong in making the history of persecution the basis of Jewish identity. For three thousand years Jews defined themselves as a people loved by God. Only in the nineteenth century did they begin to define themselves as the people hated by gentiles. There is no sane future along that road. The best psychological defense against anti-Semitism is the saying of Rav Nachman of Bratslav: 'The whole world is a very narrow bridge; the main thing is never to be afraid.'
To anti-Semites and their fellow travelers we must be candid. Hate destroys the hated, but it also destroys the hater. It is no accident that anti-Semitism is the weapon of choice of tyrants and totalitarian regimes. It deflects internal criticism away by projecting it onto an external scapegoat. It is deployed in country after country to direct attention away from real internal problems of poverty, unemployment and underachievement. Anti-Semitism is used to sustain regimes without human rights, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, a free press, liberty of association or accountable government. One truth resounds through the pages of history: To be free you have to let go of hate. Those driven by hate are enemies of freedom. There is no exception.
Finally to all of us together, we must say: Jews have been hated throughout history because they were different. To be sure, everyone is different; but Jews more than most fought for the right to be different. Under a succession of empires, and centuries of dispersion, Jews were the only people who for more than two thousand years refused to convert to the dominant religion or assimilate into the dominant culture. That is why anti-Semitism is a threat not just to Jews but to humanity.
God, said the rabbis, makes everyone in His image, yet He makes everyone different to teach us to respect difference. And since difference is constitutive of humanity, a world that has no space for difference has no space for humanity. That is why a resurgence of anti-Semitism has always been an early warning of an assault on freedom itself. It is so today.
We must find allies in the fight against hate. For though it begins with Jews, ultimately it threatens us all.
This article first appeared in the Jewish Chronicle.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is an international religious leader, philosopher, and respected moral voice. The author of over 30 books, Rabbi Sacks has received multiple awards in recognition of his work including the 2016 Templeton Prize. He is the recipient of 17 honorary doctorates, was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen in 2005 and made a Life Peer, taking his seat in the House of Lords in October 2009. He served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013.
These weekly teachings from Rabbi Sacks are part of the 'Covenant & Conversation' series on the weekly Torah reading. Read more essays from the series on www.rabbisacks.org.
Now available for additional learning: The FAMILY EDITION of Covenant & Conversation, designed to enhance your parsha conversation with everyone from teenagers to great-great-grandparents. To read and print this new learning resource, for an inter-generational discussion around your Shabbat table on Rabbi Sacks' ideas for the week, click here!
Understanding Anti-Semitism Today
Anti-Semitism in 3D
European Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism in America
Legitimizing Anti-Semitism
Combating Anti-Semitism
(50) Maxwell Horwitz, May 25, 2017 10:38 PM
very inspiring article, sad and true, but we can have hope
This is a very inspiring article; both sad and true, but we can have hope. The Jews countless times throughout history, have been hated, especially by Christians, mainly starting when Christianity was founded. This is when it got its worse. Then they were forced out of their Holy Land by Muslims in Israel and Jerusalem.
But THERE IS hope. As promised in scripture, The Jews own Israel today, and we even have a Jewish president in Israel. It is almost 70 years after 1948, when Israel was founded as a nation (that would be 2018 to be exact). Who knows, maybe this will be when Israel is redeemed and restored, and the rest of this world is also restored.
But regardless, against countless odds, we defeated armies much greater than us in The Six Days War, and, despite whether people want to admit it, The Jews in Israel, and the GROWING number of Jews in Israel, is a HUGE sign of God coming to judge this world soon, and Israel being restored, AND The Jews being God's chosen people.
Sadly, people hate the innocent. As Isaiah says, "Woe unto those who call evil good, and evil good. Woe unto those who turn bitter into sweet, and sweet into bitter." This is exactly what anti-semites do. With faith in God, and God's grace, we can put an end to this and speed up the coming of The Messiah and Israel being restored.
May God bless Jerusalem and The Jews of this world tonight, and forever more, and may The Messiah come speedily in our days.
Amen, and Shalom.
(49) Chuck Michelson, February 17, 2017 5:55 PM
Brilliant, historically accurate article.
Well structured, singularly thoughtful article. Brilliant in it's analysis.
(48) Deborah, October 13, 2016 4:28 PM
Excellent history
As a girl from a proud black British family with Nigerian ethnic heritage, learning about the existence and mutation of prejudice has always been a priority. Anti-Semitism has no place anywhere.
(47) Kathleen Dahnke Nottestad, September 1, 2016 11:26 PM
Anti- Semitism alive in well in the USA strictly - Backdoor style
Anti- Semitism is in my opinion alive and well in the USA! That's how I came to the realization that I am probably JEWISH those that could tell me have all passed and fact I haven't lived a hethons life so I kept thinking why are people stealing my clothing Jewlery, cashing checks made out to me, I have kept them in daily everyday living supplies for years!!! Plus, the normal water,sewer bill is in the $68.00 range and mine was $132.00 and people with two residing have half the bill I have. police have NOT been helpful because I'm pretty sure they are part of the middle circle that helps collect these items and cash. They invade my home when I leave I believe I am on camera placed in my home before moving in - so they know ALL!! They have crossed every imaginary decency lime ever in exsistance - their crimes against me and my family could fill prisons with their kind but our legal system is NOT for those seeking justice!! True but my faith that any of my correspondence has raised any inquisitive minds I can only pray and hope that these anti-Semitism groups will be apprehended and punished I think it here on earth maybe to big a treat to the very people likely behind this movement has been going on since my birth in different area as schooling, dating, marriage, births of my children and as one Dr. Put it in words that have come alive for ME anyway - "WE HAVE WAYS OF TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU!!" He never planned on my living to repeat that! After a comment like that one might think me evil BUT I'm NOT not headed for sainthood but heaven bound just the same! sent letter to Dr. Phil to Human rights people but my mail has been intercepted for years now so here's hoping and praying and even if no relief in our courts God's court is JUST and will deal accordingly!! There BUT for the Grace of GOD go I!!
They have more than once tried to end my life but God had an alternate plan!! Amen!
(46) Esther, August 4, 2015 8:44 PM
Anti-Freedom times
I have been very concerned for over a decade about Americans turning strongly against freedom. Antisemitism came later. So I think the correlation is real, but cause and effect are reversed in the article.
The root seems to be fear. People are wanting more security. And the reality is that everyone else also has more security if the Jews do.
(45) Yonit Gefeb, June 10, 2015 12:40 AM
Analysis then action
excellent commentary on how anti-semitism mutates, why and why we face today. We meet more concrete information about what to do. Jews should never succumb to anti-semitism but to a degree most of us do and how to reverse our national insecurity is important. Do the authors seriously believe that we can stop antisemitism by explaining how hate harms them or that if people understand that antisemitism threatens freedom, they will change? Finally we get what I believe is very bad adviceL Fo not fight anti-semitism without allies. Their reasoning: Jews tried to please go yin in the 30's and failed. Fighting for our nation is very different - our weapons include self defense, large flash demonstrations, internet, withdrawal of funds from anti-semitic organizations, law suits, louder megaphones than they have, court challenges and more.
(44) Anonymous, May 7, 2015 8:07 PM
This is very very true. And we all know this is written by an amazing person. Rav Nachman has the best of for all times.
Do not be afraid. Sometimes there can be much to fear.
I am learning to know Hashem is so much in charge that we need not fear. Teach how the Jews have lived. There is so much to teach. There are so many role models. We could stay up late for months researching the many Jews that can inspire and teach all of us whether we are Jewish or not.
(43) Alan, April 17, 2014 5:02 PM
Islam is fundamentally anti-Semitic
There is a strong correlation between the rapid, recent growth of Islamic communities in Western countries and the rise of Antisemitism in those same countries. One only has to read the strongly anti-Jewish sentiments contained in the Koran and Hadiths to understand this. Most Moslems are religious and, based on their beliefs, view those of other faiths as inferior. Jews and Christians, in particular, are regarded as "Dhimmi" and the object of subjugation.
(42) Yoram Stein, January 26, 2014 8:54 PM
part of it is own fault
western world believed Israel that there was no Palestinian nation. Then we (Israeli politiians ) went to Oslo and recognised the palestinians as a nation. They world thinks might think "Those Jews have fulled us all those years" another reason why they hate because we are good and succesfull it makes them jealous all those no nos .
(41) susan, August 21, 2011 5:33 PM
jew hatred
i am a very proud jew of my heritage and my people i get remarks that are hateful and threats by people why should i have to take my yarmuk off to walk down the stree i haverights too not to be harassed and picked on and treated cruely what can i do im prud of who i am and not goong to let others bully me into hiding what is wrong with [people? i dont bother them why dont they leave me alone? they mess with my family mainly my son itswrong what can i do? plz help susan in wisconsin
(40) Dan Gold, July 10, 2011 3:47 PM
What's needed
...is for articles like this to appear also in places other than the Jewish press.
Elia, April 13, 2014 4:07 AM
Something else is needed
Detailed articles such as this one should also be written in magazines and newspapers read by the masses - not just by the Jewish community.
Also, there should be a shift away from the victim to the hater. Articles should emphasize the hater - what in his childhood has caused him to hate; why has he not resolved his childhood hate/rage to where he has to create a scapegoat on whom to dump his self hate.. The focus should be on the CAUSE of the behaviour - who is doing what and why. Questions should be posed to him in order for society to shift the focus to where it belongs - on the person causing the rumour, the manipulation, the bullying, harm and destruction. The hater should be exposed to the naive who believe the lies and reinforce the present and growing evil.
(39) Liz, February 13, 2010 7:08 PM
I think this is one of the best articles on anti-semitism I have ever read. It lacks the usual overall sense of hopelessness I noticed in some of the other articles. I especially liked the ending. Very lucid and well-written, in a word, eye-opening.
(38) Phil Balsam, May 23, 2008 4:17 PM
We cannot just stand and be slaughtered
I totally agree with your wonderful (bad word) article EXCEPT, we can''t just allow our people or any other people to be beaten, firebombed, killed while governmentd do very little to stop this violence (France, Belguim,UK etc.). We need a human rights version of the failed (for good reason) Jewish Defense League, ALL OVER THE WORLD.Let it be known, that we offer peace. You may hate us but you cannot beat us. We will protect ourselves. I am going to assume that you do not agree with the above but in my heart don''t want to listen,learn, change etc. Protection and revenge are the only way to treat many of these anti-semites. I am convinced that they believe in their hearts that they can wipe us out or at the least make us so afraid that we run.
I would very much like a response.
(37) Anonymous, May 19, 2008 10:10 AM
Sadly, this world will never love a Jew, because it never loved G-d. People are ready to go to great lengths to remove from themselves anything that reminds them on G-d, even if it means wanting to kill an entire nation. Such is the state of sickness ouf our mind, such is the immensity of our arrogance.
But this will never succeed, there is no fear.
As G-d said to Abraham, ''blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you''. In this way it is and it will be with anyone who does not show respect to G-d''s chosen people.
My heart breaks at all the evil and abuse that has been done to you in the past and that is done now.
(36) Edward Ferri, May 18, 2008 4:06 PM
when will we learn
The world will never love a jew, but if we are strong AND USE THAT STRENGTH they will fear us. In this world fear may be more important than understanding and acceptance.
LADYDI, June 27, 2011 12:56 PM
YOU SUMMED THAT UP PERFECTLY!!!!!
(35) Juan Manuel, May 18, 2008 5:52 AM
Amazing as usual, some Aish.com articles open up our eyes to the sad and shameful reality of anti-Semitism. It seems to me a never-ending story deeply rooted in the collective conscience of some people and some peoples as well. Maybe one day we will all realise that we are one. On that day the Kingdom of God will eventually settle down Congratulations once again for so much wisdom and sensibility.Shalom
(34) a gentile, May 2, 2008 11:28 PM
"Criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitism"
To Anonymous 4/29/2008 8:58:00 PM.
From my point of view, some Jews have also internalized the slogan "Criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitism." Indeed, no country is perfect, but the statement "criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitism" makes me wonder the following:
-Why the those criticising Israel are not equally obsessed with criticising any other country.
-Why the people criticising Israel's actions against the terrorists justify the attacks on Israel.
(33) J LaLone, May 2, 2008 5:00 PM
I have always seen anti-semitism in the world
I have found that people seem to relish sharing their anti-semitism with me, ignornant or not caring of the hurt they inflict upon me. For several years I have spoken little of being Jewish though it is the love of my life, not because I fear for myself, but because I fear dislike of me could cause problems for fellow Jews. It is such deep sorrow that I feel when someone I thought not capable of such evil thinking exposes their snti-semitic feelings. It is hard to feel hope for the future in the face of it! I can pray for miracles.
(32) ALAN JAY GERBER, May 2, 2008 12:45 PM
CHIEF RABBI SACKS ON BIGOTRY
THE CHIEF RABBI IS RIGHT ON THE MARK CONCERNING ANTI-SEMITISM.AISH IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR CARRYING THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PRESENTING TO US MORE OF HIS TEACHINGS.
(31) From London, May 2, 2008 11:09 AM
With respect, I find that I disagree with a certain statement that Rabbi Sacks made in his essay. He mentions the need for allies and to ask Muslims and Christians to fight on behalf of the Jews. I would say that this is a mistaken idea. The Muslims in the past and present have shown and spoken clearly about their hatred of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. They have called for it's destruction and carried out countless terrorist attacks. I am particularly referring to the so called Palestinians and the Iranian President.
After centuries of pogroms and anti-semitism from the Christians, the Catholic Church still refuses to alter it's prayer calling for the Jews to acknowledge JC. I would not trust these people for a moment, let alone to be our allies as any support they may give us would be two faced and unreliable. The only thing the Jewish people need is protection from G-d... we turn to Him to fight our battles for us. We also need TRUE ACHDUS in our nation and and end to petty divides and fights within ourselves. Finally need a strong government in the State of Israel to stop giving our Land to our enemies and to start fighting for the Jewish people.
(30) Mordechai, May 2, 2008 6:48 AM
In my humble opinion, Rabbi Sack's article is fundamentally flawed. It's true that Jews are mistaken if they think that the cure for anti-Semitism is to assimilate. Zionists believed that the cure was to set up our own secular state. They were also mistaken. The Land of Israel is the only true home for the Jewish people but it is clear to all that the State has not been the cure for anti-Semitism.
Now Rabbi Sacks thinks that we Jews should appeal to the intellect of Muslims, Chrstians and others and persuade them that it's not in their best interests to be anti-Semitic. His mistake is of course that by definition, Christians and Muslims are anti-Semitic. It's a fundamental pillar of their faiths. Unfortunately Rabbi Sacks maybe too immersed in "British Political Correctness" to see this.
BPC tells us that just as we must respect Islam and Chrstianity, so should they respect Judaism. This presupposes that all faiths, including no-faith are equal and that all belief systems have Devine holiness or equal lack of it. This is however a false assumption and anti-Torah. Yes we should respect all gentiles but not their false man-made belief systems. They can never be our allies because their belief system or lack of belief system is in fact the source of anti-Semitism.
The only cure for anti-Semitism is to be the light unto the nations; to live a true Torah life in Israel and trust our salvation to no one but G-d. We must be the examples to gentiles so that they should discard their false beliefs and adopt the seven laws as given to Noach. So long as we neglect our mission, so anti-Semitism will remain.
(29) Rabbi A, May 2, 2008 4:20 AM
An additional point
The Jewish people were attacked by the nation of Amalek as they left Egypt. Amalek had, as one expert put it, never even seen a Jewish nose. Amalek was not threatened by the Jews economically, strategically, or socially. The Jewish people represented a threat only to their desire to live their lives without G-d and they knew it and they therefore had only one purpose in attacking: to destroy G-d's people because they were G-d's people. On the positive side, our sages tell us that a non-Jew who helps or saves a Jew because the Jews are G-d's people, has earned a place in the world to come by that action. The author has pointed out that anti-Semitism does not go away but merely mutates and attacks again, but the Torah itself gives an answer to the unstated question of when it will end: "If only my people would listen carefully to Me. If Israel would walk in my ways. In an instant I would subdue their enemies, and against their tormenters turn My hand." – Psalm 81
(28) David A. Foreman, May 1, 2008 8:12 PM
Proud to be Jewish, Zionist, and to be part of Israel
We have so much to be proud of. We have given the world monotheism, an ethical code second to none, Torah and Talmud, brilliant minds that have improved lives physically, emotionally, psychologically, economically,and spiritually. We have no reason for shame or to believe our detractors. Whatever the anti-semites' reasons are it's their problem. Never in history has anyone been judged so harshly or unfairly. In spite of all of our endless fights we are still here and still strong. We were given a mission at Mt. Sinai and we will never abandon it. Am Yisrael Chai. Chazak chazak v' nitchazek
(27) Paul Sheffrin, May 1, 2008 12:51 PM
We should be proud of our Judaism
Wonderful essay. Thank you for such powerful thoughts. My biggest anxiety, which you hint at, is the way that many Jews - particularly those who are not wholehearted in their commitment - are starting to be embarrassed by Israel and voicing their embarrassment. They do not understand G-d's purpose for the country; nor do they understand the policies of its government. Ultimately they project their embarrassment into a denial of basic Jewish tenets. Am Yisrael chai - but we need to stand firm as a united people
(26) jane, May 1, 2008 2:33 AM
israel as a people and nation are survivors.History speaks for itself.jews should be proud to belong to such a people and great nation surviving against such odds.G-d is definitely favouring israel.
(25) Ulviyya, April 30, 2008 9:58 PM
Love all Jewish !!!
Love Jerusalem !!!
Be always happy !!!
(24) pleasant, April 30, 2008 9:27 PM
the law of attraction.......as a man thinketh.....etc....
It's all the same. If we focus on the negative, we will attract it. This is why the Lord counselled us to have only a set time each year for such rememberance. The rest of the time we are to be advertising our successes, our loves, our acheivements, our contributions to the communities we are in around the world so that they can not forget us for our good.
(23) Shir, April 30, 2008 4:40 PM
We Must Not Submit to Anti-Semitism
Spectacular article. It's especially true that the most terrible thing about anti-semitism is it's ability to live inside Jews themselves. We must make every effort not to allow these doctrines into our heads. We must keep in mind that above all, we are G-d's chosen people, a light unto the nations.
(22) Marlene Gelfand, April 30, 2008 4:21 PM
We as Jews Should become United!
When we are starting to be persecuted in a country or wherever the first thing for us to do is get the Hell out! Our lives mean way too much for us to be destroyed. Unless the country is in Israel itself. And the place we should be going is Israel. The next thing we as Jews is to get together and worship G-d as a people in unity. It does not matter if you are Orthodox, Hasidic, Conservative, Reform, Atheist. Come togehter and worship G-d. Who cares if you are a hypocrit at the moment. All Jews should get unitied and pray to G-d. When we pray to HIm we should Thank-Him, and forget any problems one has with his neighbor, and start praying for their brothers! And in our prayers we should praise Him and say Dayenu! His Mercy's Endureth forever and believe it. In the Bible when all the tribes were in Unity, they were magnanimus and undefeated. If it takes another antisemetic force to do it, let us stop it in the beginning before any lives get lost. Has not too many of our people died already? So let us start. If we all did this right now, think of the force and we could have for Israel, and defeat all our enemys. When was the last time we as Jews forgotten about ourselves and been united in G-d? What will be the lesson to get us to start? Isn't it time, we realize we are a people, a nation, isn't time we get united?
It is G-d, and our love for him, that keeps us as a people and gives us the victorys we need. We do not need a Messiah. We all need to stand up for G-d and each other, and then no one can stand up to us. These are not my thoughts they come right out of the Tanach.
(21) annie lass, April 30, 2008 10:37 AM
the new antisemitism
brilliant, powerful thoughts. I will print it and pass it round
(20) Meir, April 30, 2008 10:34 AM
The anti-Israel-ism is just the new element
While I agree with Rabbi Sacks' statement that anti-Semitism mutates, it does preserve, and build on, its previous layers, such as anti-Judaism and racism, as it did with the Nazis.
(19) Jerry, April 30, 2008 7:02 AM
Its interesting from time unknown that we have persecuted each other because of religion, tradition, culture, race or tribe. What is more interesting is that none of us have any control of our birthright. If only we were wise to realize that we all but MAN.
(18) Graham, April 30, 2008 5:22 AM
That which you focus on will expand.
You should write more articles on Semitism.
(17) Anonymous, April 30, 2008 4:27 AM
Shma Yisroel Hashem Elokeynu Hashem Echad
Missing from the article is that EVERYTHING is Hashem's creation -- including anti-Semitism. Hashem creates such forces as tests so that we can grow in our service of Hashem.
(16) ray, April 30, 2008 2:10 AM
"Human Rights" is a Weapon
these human rights accusations on israel are the most dangerous of all, because it paralyzes the IDF and gives the enemy a decisive strategic advantage.
unless ISrael changes this, they will be powerless to defeat hezbolla and hamas when the big missiles rain down on all major israeli cities.
(15) Elizabeth Haines, April 29, 2008 9:08 PM
Clear seeing and empowering response
Thanks for this article. Rabbi Sacks is clear-eyed in his assessment of the rise of new anti-semitism and delivers empowering advice that we all can follow to turn back the tide.
(14) Anonymous, April 29, 2008 8:58 PM
Anti-Semitism is a horrible thing that should be condemned and stopped. Claims that Jews started AIDS or Global Warming are simply ridiculous.
However, confusing anti-semitism with criticism of Israel is a dangerous path. The foundation of democratic government is that people can dissent, and without that right it is less a democracy and more like a dictatorship, and from WWII and the halocaust I think we all know what horrible things dictatorship can lead to. Without admitting that Israel has flaws that must be corrected, it will never improve. If you wish to have a Jewish homeland that is truly virtuous and free, valid criticism must be accepted and not just dismissed as anti-semitism. A distinction is important because without it we will only go backwards.
Part of being "Proudly Jewish" is to end the suffering and destruction of the lives of many. One of the 10 Commandments is "Do Not Kill," and as Jews, how can we let this be broken in our own country? If we indeed want to follow G-d's law, wrongdoing must be stopped and not ignored.
(13) Laura, April 29, 2008 6:34 PM
what about 2008
There are a lot of current and relevant examples today. These are important to note.
(12) fred, April 29, 2008 5:48 PM
It All Starts With Israel
"Nor are Jews today what our ancestors were: defenseless, powerless and without a collective home. The State of Israel has transformed the situation for Jews everywhere. "
Unfortunately, while that used to be true, Israel has become part of the problem. She beckoned Diaspora Jews out on to her limb, and is now busy sawing it off. Our natural resistance to the virus acquired during our exile has been replaced by reliance on Israel, and Israel has become the worst example of the shortcomings o which Rabbi Sacks speaks. Israel's appeasement and groping after the West only emboldens the antisemites. We need to see that she returns to being a Jewish State.
(11) Joe Whitehead, April 29, 2008 4:51 PM
End of the Age?
I never thought about antisemitism mutating, but that's right, it does mutate to the next level. Now that we're at the world-wide international (UN, EU, Quartet, League of Arab nations) level of mutation, surely the coming to the head where the end is played out, will be the destuction of the antisemitism virus itelf, and will be part of the coming of the Messionic Age! Let's hope and pray!
(10) Ruth Housman, April 29, 2008 4:17 PM
a raising of consciousness?
Thank you for an excellent article. Certainly we need to respect diversity and diversity needs to respect us. We are all, essentially ONE through Babel and beyond. Babble itself aurally is the equipotentiality of language as expressed in sound, out of the mouths of babe's, BABE EL. I think perhaps one day we will recognize we have all of us been in each other's tents, perhaps it is through the transmomigration of souls. I do know that language itself contains the paradox of many within one, as in alone and all one. When we discover, all of us, that the "other" is us, then we will have achieved the next rung of consciousness and I do believe we are all of us headed in this direction.
(9) ruth lande, April 29, 2008 4:16 PM
thank you, rabbi sacks. you have said it better than anything else i have ever read or heard.
(8) Irwin Ruff, April 29, 2008 2:50 PM
But what about the Muslims?
Rabbi Sacks' article is a very good summary of anti-Semitism through the ages. I find it strange, however, that the argument is carried to the present (as stressed in the title) without a mention of the prime carriers of today's anti-Semitism: the Muslims. Moreover, in this case it has reverted to the religious model which was used for some 1700 years (possibly because Muslims are fixated on the 7th century). Muslim anti-Semitism is not new, having been around for centuries, but it is the main reason and the center for today's anti-Judaism.
(7) Michael, April 29, 2008 11:11 AM
Who are the leaders of anti-semitism in America
We have to know who our antagonists are. Look around and see who are the leaders in this country who are supporting Isreal and who are the ones teaching closer ties with our sworn enemies.
(6) Carlo Marynissen, April 29, 2008 10:58 AM
ANTISEMITISM IN HOLLAND
In the Netherlands we see antisemitism increasing rapidly. It is a very decent form. It is no longer the facist or the religeous fanatics, but clean politicions (former president VAN AGT, the wife of the former european bankdirector Wim Duisenberg) and now also the biggest Union FNV with almost a million members. They are assembling a lot of anti Israeli speakers for a congres, members of Hamas, but also some jews who calles themselvers ANOTHER JEWISH SOUND. These jews criticises Israel and Zionism and the bad situation the Palestines are in (to a certain extend that is OK. self critics can be good, think about the young US students in there protest against the Vietnam war in the sixties) But the bad thing is that they let themselve use by antisemits to make anti semitism kosher (a common element nowadays in anti semitism) Now you cannot say "hey that is anti semitism, because they will reply, but we have support of several jews.
The reason the union FNV seekes cooperation with anti Israeli and anti semite people is to gain people for their organisation. As young people do not become very easy a member of the Union they are loosing rapidley people (also because of very bad service to their paying members) There are only about 40.000 jews in the Netherlands but there are about a million islamic people. By being anti jewish and anti Israel they hope to get members out of the islamic people. Now this is what I call antisemitism in its purest form.
Knowing that a lot of islamic people in the Netherlands have more or less anti Israel feelings or worse, the Union uses these feelings to get more paying members. This way those feelings will also be increased. Inviting a few jews with anti israel feelings makes it all kosher.
No one has ever questioned the occupation of tibet by the Chinese, but a very tiny little country (half as big as the Netherlands, of which almost a quarter of the population is Arab, because Arabs are allowed to live in Israel) is questioned even before it existed
(5) marci, April 29, 2008 10:44 AM
the truth that mama spoke
My late mama(may G d bless her soul)taught me to always be proud to be Jewish and to never allow anyone to defame what a Jew is and warned me that the hatred from other 'peoples' will reappear again..this was when I was 11 yrs old about 1958 when the world was still in the aftermath of the recent WW11..how right she was..
(4) Gary Katz, April 29, 2008 8:31 AM
Cain and Abel revisited?
Sometimes I wonder if anti-Semitism is an offshoot of the Cain and Abel syndrome. G-d favored Abel's offering, so Cain killed Abel. G-d favored the Jews above all other people, so the rest of the world (at least the small-minded ones) want to kill us. Just a thought.
(3) AndyBarak, April 29, 2008 8:15 AM
Rav Sacks thank you. We can only succeed as Jews by being proudly Jewish.
(2) Robert M. Copley Sr., April 29, 2008 7:37 AM
Never better words spoken!
Excellent article of truth.
(1) Deborah, April 29, 2008 7:03 AM
When we Jews are doing what we are supposed to be doing Hashem protects us and no one can touch us. The problem is that we don't do what we are supposed to do. You are right we shouldn't see ourselves as victims! G-d helps us get back on the right path out of His ultimate love for us.
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