It’s a mystery to me that Jewish people have been so reviled. I doubt any other single group has been as persecuted in as many places. Certain nations over the ages have made it their goal to eliminate them, Hitler being the latest. White supremacists consider the Jews part of the “darker races”, along with those of African, Latino or Asian descent. The reasons I’ve heard for any anti-semitism tend to be economic or religious, though there are more.
The Jews did not actually “kill Christ”. To Christians who say they did – didn’t God say he caused Jesus’ death to bring salvation for your souls? You can’t have it both ways. According to your oft-quoted Bible, Jesus was arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin, sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be scourged, and finally crucified by the Romans. Each group or person put him closer to death. Pilate had the choice to put Barnabas to death instead when the crowd demanded a death, but he chose Jesus. If those few Jewish leaders found him guilty of breaking a law, blaming an entire group of millions for the actions of a few is not sane.
The holy writings of the Jewish faith, the Torah, is based on the Old Testament of the Bible. The beliefs of Buddhist, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Quakers and Sikhs may be despised in some countries, but not as widely. The Jewish people have never attacked another group or nation unprovoked, but many other groups or religions have participated in “holy wars”. Jews have been some of the most non-aggressive people in history.
We hear statements about how “Jews control the money of the world”. Well, out of dozens of rich and famous bankers, only a couple are Jewish, the Rothchilds and the Goldmans. If we wish to take note of a people who raise themselves from poverty to riches, consider many Asian immigrants – very thrifty, and hard working, willing to do without some short-term rewards to build their lives, families and businesses.
Jews have been accused of dominating Hollywood. Even if so, why should we care? Jews, in general as a group, can be successful in accumulating wealth and properties. Why should we dislike that? For our nation, isn’t that the American dream and a goal to be emulated? I admire any culture that seeks to improve their lot, especially in the face of such animosity. One thing I am certain of. Jews, particularly those who follow the tenents of their faith, are good people in general.
I’ve read that for decades, scholars have attempted to find an answer to the prejudice. Most have come to the conclusion that perhaps their most resented attribute, dating back to very ancient times, is their adherence to cultural bonds that include faith, traditions and unity, instead of becoming amalgamated into the culture of each different place they live. That bonding is probably born of necessity, as many places labled them “enemy” over time. It is a fact that they have been oppressed throughout history and it continues.
One of my favorite movies, Fiddler on the Roof, is about a poor Jewish family man, Rev Tevye, and his family. He speaks out loud to God, often while working. In one scene, he asks God, when his cart horse went lame, “I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But, once in a while, can’t you chose someone else?”