Why the Jews?: The Reason for Antisemitism (An Examination of Antisemitism)

This is the best book I’ve seen on the subject, and I’ve read lots of them. The authors not only offer much historical fact and statistics, but probe the different theories as to WHY certain groups, running the scale from the pre-Christian pagans to the modern anti-Semitic nations, from the Nazis to the New Left, hate the Jews. In other words, it’s not another collection of stories of pogroms and massacres, but a careful analysis of anti-Semitism throughout history. A Jewish convert to Christianity, I do NOT see the New Testament itself as anti-Semitic, any more than I see the proliferation of militias in the US today as being done by people hating America. As militiamen love this country but fear the direction that its leaders are taking (Obama is in his fifth year as president as I write this), so the New Testament writers had to deal with that small Jewish minority that had the political power and even the police power to persecute the early Christians. The writers of the New Testament were for the most part Jewish themselves, but they knew what the Jewish minority groups were doing to them. Most Jews left the early Christians alone, but the New Testament sometimes uses the term “the Jews”, in the way that today, flag-waving Americans complain about “the feds”. ‘Nuff said here. Meanwhile, as someone who has read hundreds of books on both Christian theology and Jewish history, I find this to be one of the best. Christians should read it to understand the historical gap in their knowledge. Jews should read it to see WHY there is so much hatred of the Jews. One criticism that I have as a Christian is that it does not mention the real basis for anti-Semitism—Satan hates the Jews, who brought in the Messiah Who will rescue them at a time when the world tries to destroy them and nearly succeeds.

I liked how the case was clearly presented with ample documentation. It’s not a shrill cry, but a well thought out call to moral integrity without a smidge of preachiness or smugness. As a believing Jew living in America it opened my eyes to how sheltered I am because I live in America. I myself am guilty of believing in some of the antisemitic lies. Good book.

I don't often leave reviews but wanted to recommend this book. It tackles a question I'd long struggled with and provides the best answers I've seen so far. It's well documented, commonsensical and frank. Along the way it also provides a succinct history of antisemitism. I learned a lot, but never felt overwhelmed with details. The authors do a good job highlighting a few historical examples to support each point they make, and then moving on. If you've ever wondered "why the Jews?" this book offers some answers.

Regardless of how much one might agree or disagree with what Prager & Telushkin have to say on the subject, I have to give them credit for producing a reasonably readable & informative (for anyone who, like myself, didn’t know much on the subject) work. I would note that their premise that antisemitism is “the most accurate predictor of human evil” is problematic in that it is narrowly focused and effectively assumes that all human evil has something to do with Jews (what about evil perpetrated by peoples in the Americas and Asia such as the Aztecs, Mongols, Huns, etc. who had no contact with Jews?) Clearly, there is a more fundamental and universal explanation for evil which has nothing to do with the Jews per se. Likewise, although I think they are essentially correct in arguing against the various attempts to “de-Judaize” antisemitism, at the same time I am inclined to think that there is some underlying aspect of human nature which has tended to make Jews the target of hatred, regardless of their Judaism. In other words, due to evolution, we have become “hard-wired” toward altruism, or at least tolerance for other members of our group, and toward suspicion, fear, hatred, & violence toward those who are not members. Even chimpanzees are now known to conduct what can be described as “tribal warfare” against rival groups. And of course, any sub-culture or ethnic group which refuses to assimilate and do their part to support the welfare of the larger culture (such as be refusing to pray for help or make sacrifices to assuage the wrath of the gods which the majority believe can affect their welfare) is bound to generate the resentment and even the wrath of the larger group. And even without such obvious “triggers,” simply being different (or being perceived as different) can be enough to arouse the deep-seated, “hard-wired” tendency of human beings to see everyone in terms of “us versus them,” and with the inevitable result being in accordance with the old adage that “those who are not with us, are against us.” But having said all of that, I would again judge the book informative. I did not realize for instance that the Jews had suffered antisemitism under the Egyptians prior to the Exodus, and I did not know that an estimated 10% of the Empire had already converted to Judaism before Christianity came along, or that the Greco-Roman majority would have persecuted the Jews in the same way, and for some of the same reasons, that they would persecute early Christians. Finally, I am not entirely convinced that the author’s view that the Jews were chosen merely to spread “ethical monotheism” to other peoples, rather than being chosen in the sense that they are supposed to be God’s favorite, most beloved children. But considering the suffering that Jews have endured for millennia, I must admit that that idea makes sense. After all, if the Jews really are God’s favorite, we might expect that he would occasionally make his favoritism evident in some small way.

As I am getting older I now see why many people might dislike Jews. Being a Jew, I feel pretty objective about this. Consider the Jewish people as a voting block. 90% Democratic! Why is that? Well, Jews want diversity...even if it destroys the sovereignty of the USA. I think Jews want a multitude of ethnicities so that no race is dominant. Alot of this thinking might have come from Nazi Germany/Russia Programs. I do blame Jews for Obamacare and alot of Obama's Policies including the massive influx of illegal immigrants. Consider Obama's advisors and minions: David Axlerod, Rahm Emanuel, Johnathan Gruber, David Plouffe Senior Advisor to the President. Elena Kagan, Tony Blinken Deputy National Security Advisor, Jonathan Greenblatt, And Yes: Jews always seems to be involved in finace/money: disgraced Lois Lerber (IRS), Federal Reserve Chairman: Janet Yellen and Ben Bernake, Secretary of Treasury of Jack Lew, Gary Gensler Chairman, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Gene Sperling Director, National Economic Council, Lawrence Summers Director National Economic Council, Peter Orszag Director of the Office of Management and Budget I can go on and on. However, Money and Jews are always closely associated. In the USA, the Democratic Party Jews seem to have enormous influence on Policy. I suspect there are far more Jews involved in Obama's Administration and Polcy Making then any other ethnic group. Obama does have a special affinity to Muslims and Black Lives Matters. What I find amazing is that Jews are just fine with millions of Muslims entering the USA...knowing that Muslims generally hate Jews...Black Lives Matters, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson have also made their dislike of Jews well known. What I find amazing is that the new generation of Jews don't support Israel. Why the Jews? OK example: Lena Dunham...now you know why people dislike Jews.

I've listened to Dennis Prager since his 'Religion on the Line' radio show. I think Deuteronomy 28:15-67 sums it up especially this passage ... Deuteronomy 28:64-67 NKJV "Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known-wood and stone. [65] And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul. [66] Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. [67] In the morning you shall say, 'Oh, that it were evening!' And at evening you shall say, 'Oh, that it were morning!' because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see. IOW, God is the ultimate cause of the Jews' antisemitism.

I have been studying prophecy for over 40 years and I have read many books abouit Israel and their place in prophecy. "Why the Jews" was one of the most enlightening books I have read to date. Of course, I've read the Jews place in the Bible many times but this book, opened my mind to the path of the Jews from their earliest days to the present. It is in some ways horryfying yet amazing as it shows the plan God has for Israel. I recommend it to everyone.

This is a remarkable achievement of in-depth research and objectivity. Jew haters, who would be most in need to understand their "reasons" for hating the Jews most likely won't read this book. People do not wish to confront their own prejudices. The remarkable conclusion of this study is that the only "sin" of the Jews is their adherence to their own faith and consequent resistance to worship other Gods, from antiquity to Christendom, to our own time. As so often, what may be admirable strength of conviction and force of character for some, is for others unforgivable stubbornness and obstinacy. Obeisance to their own laws - of which there are many more than just the ten commandments - has made the Jews a healthier, more charitable people, with a deep understanding that we are responsible for one another, and with the least number of criminals among modern nations.

interesting read

Very informative and well written. Everyone should read it!

An excellent Account and explanation of the reasons for anti-Semitism. It covers areas I would not have thought of and is therefore supplied me with greater knowledge than I started off with. It also removes the mask that left-wingers assume when they say they're not anti-Semites but anti-Zionists. I recommend it to all right thinking people.

A good book worth reading...We need to know the history of the Jewish people to prevent antisemitism from occurring...well worth it...

I have asked myself this question many times and this book definitely provides SOME of the answers. It is clearly written from a Jews perspective and i would like to read an antisemitic side, just to balance the argument.