Fighting Anti Semitism

Fighting Anti Semitism "Oh the Protestants hate the Catholics And the Catholics hate the Protestants And the Hindus hate the Muslims And everybody hates the Jews" (Tom Lehrer) I've been reading up and thinking alot about anti-Semitism lately. Two spectacular books that I recommend are "Why The Jews: The Reason for Anti-Semitism" by Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin, and "How To Fight Anti-Semitism" by Bari Weiss. Prager and Telushkin discuss Christian anti-Semitism throughout the ages, and why and how historically the Church instituted hatred of the Jew in order to justify our rejection of Christianity. Beginning in the fourth century, when the Roman Empire substituted Christianity for paganism, the church Fathers felt compelled to institutionalize anti-Semitism. They reasoned that since Jesus and his apostles were observant Jews, and the Jewish Bible the basis for his messianic claims, then merely by our continuing to be Jews we threaten the very validity of the Church. By the eleventh century, the Church had successfully converted virtually all of the inhabitants of Europe. Except for the Jews. This led to the vicious campaigns of the first and second Crusades against Jewish infidels. Claims of ritual blood libels, Desecration of the Host, incarnations of the Devil, plots to poison Christians, the Spanish Inquision, Martin Luther's virulent antisemitic writings, etc., all contributed to dehumanization of the Jew that eventually enabled the Holocaust. Bari Weiss, a seasoned New York Times editor, strikingly documents the antisemitism of the extreme right and the extreme left, and concludes her book with a chapter entitled, "How To Fight Anti Semitism." Prager and Telushkin similarly conclude their book with a chapter entitled, "What Is to Be Done?". Remarkably, both books reach a similar conclusion about what we can do to combat anti semitism. Although neither Weiss or Prager are observant Jews, they both conclude that the best and most effective way to fight it is by strengthening our own Jewish identity, commitment and pride. Weiss quotes the late Rabbi Jonathan Saks, "Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism, and they are embarrassed by Jews who are embarrassed by Judaism." While this solution to fight antisemitism is counterintuitive (often we think that the more we try and "fit in", the more they will like us), it is supported by ancient Talmudic commentaries and Midrashic traditions. Remarkably, two thousand years ago, the Midrash predicted that in the final phase of the long Jewish journey throughout our exile in the Diaspora, the pendulum will swing from Christian-led anti-Semitism ("the descendants of Esau") to Muslim-led anti-Semitism ("the descendants of Ishmael"). We see this prophecy playing itself out in the frightening rise of Muslim anti-Semitism, and also in the way that some of Israel's greatest friends and supporters are from the Christian community. Regardless of what their motives might or might not be, the reality is that they are often Israel's allies. I saw this trend myself in my own personal life. Very recently I received an email from a Christian family asking if I would travel to their home in central Ohio and perform a circumcision for their newborn son. It was fascinating to connect with them, and I was blown away by their love and deep respect for the Jewish people, our traditions and our homeland. Here is a direct quote from their email, "We deeply honor the Jewish people & the way you keep His commands. In almost all of my experiences with Jewish people, I have never found a more blessed and kind person with such gifts to share with the world! You are truly G-D’s chosen people!" I arrived at their home to find an elaborate mezuzah hung correctly on their front door. They are practicing Christians, so when I asked them about the origin of their mezuzah, they explained that they have traveled to Israel 25 times since 2002, and each time they go, they only stay at Bed and Breakfast inns, because this way they get a chance to "meet, connect with and get know the people of Israel in a more intimate way." The mezuzah was a gift from a scribe in Be'er Sheba that they befriended during one of their stays there. For me, hearing someone refer to me and my people as being "blessed and kind with special gifts to share with the world as G-d's Chosen people" was extremely uplifting and inspiring. I felt motivated and also pressured to want to live up to their expectations of me. If it is true, as these great authors contend, that Jewish pride is an antidote to anti-Semitism, the more we can do to strengthen our pride in being Jewish and living Jewishly, the more we contribute to the fight against anti-Semitism. My experience at this Christian home inspired and enabled me to be part of this important cause as well as to inspire others along in their Jewish journey! Will you join with me in being a part of that solution? Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Koval