Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight Of Three Thousand Years

by Israel Shahak

Book Overview

Israel Shahak was a remarkable man. Born in the Warsaw ghetto and a survivor of Belsen, Shahak arrived in Israel in 1945. Brought up under Jewish Orthodoxy and Hebrew culture, he consistently opposed the expansion of the borders of Israel from 1967. In this extraordinary and highly acclaimed book, Shahak embarks on a provocative study of the extent to which the secular state of Israel has been shaped by religious orthodoxies of an invidious and potentially...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0745328407
• ISBN13: 9780745328409
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Pluto Press (UK)
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

AN EXCELLENT CRITIQUE BY A COURAGEOUS MAN

Shahak is a courageous man for going against the conventional wisdom and speaking out for human rights for all. His eloquent thesis in this book gives him the moral authority to speak out on racism and racial superiority, easily wresting this mantle from the likes of Eli Weasel, whose shrill weasel words of 'Never again!' only apply to Jews. Shahak has the wisdom to understand that the Iraeli state's treatment of non-Jews as 3rd class citizens undermines the legitimacy of the state, which could lead to its dissolution.

Well written and informative.

Well written and informative. Although many portions of this writing could easily be extended greatly to include an almost endless amount of details and further examples, this work serves as an excellent source for anyone wishing to gain a solid basic understanding of certain portions of Judaism. By "Judaism", it must be understood that Mr. Shahak uses the term "classical Judaism". By definition, Judaism itself is Talmudic/Rabbinic/Pharisaic. Not to be confused with the Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, et. al. "movements", as these do NOT constitute the religion of Judaism.True Judaism is Orthodox...it always has been as such. This work discusses "Orthodox" Judaism. I mention this upfront because many who may read this and know someone who is Jewish, or is Jewish themselves, who does not believe or practice the items mentioned in this writing, may experience some confusion. This is due to the fact that this book deals mainly with Orthodox Judaism, which is Talmudic/Rabbinic/Pharisaic. The so-called Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, et. al. "movements" have appeared only since the early to mid-1800's. Before this Judaism was Judaism. It was neither "Reformed" nor "Conservative", etc. In the most basic sense, it was and always has been Orthodox. Understanding Mr. Shahak's work is vital to this fact. To the layperson, Jews are Jews and their religion is simply the religion of the Old Testament. Nothing could be further from the truth. "This is not an uncommon impression and one finds it sometimes among Jews as well as Christians - that Judaism is the religion of the Hebrew bible. It is, of course, a fallacious impression ... Judaism is not the religion of the Bible." (Rabbi Ben Zion Boskser, Judaism and the Christian Predicament, p 59, 159.)According to Benjamin Freedman in his letter to Dr. Goldstein titled "Facts Are Facts", Mr. Freedman states the following concerning the authentic roots of Judaism: "RELIGIOUS WORSHIP KNOWN AND PRACTICED TODAY UNDER THE NAME OF "JUDAISM" by so-called or self-styled" "Jews" throughout the world WAS KNOWN AND PRACTICED IN JUDEA IN THE TIME OF JESUS UNDER THE NAME "PHARISAISM" according to Rabbi Louis Finkelstein." (emphasis mine)It was the oral traditions of these Pharisees, which Jesus Christ so vehemently denounced, that were codified in what became known as the Mishnah beginning in the second century A.D. The Mishnah and its subsequent commentaries are what form the Talmud, the central book of Judaism. And it is the same Talmud that Judaism adheres to today. The elusive and esoteric details of Judaism and the Talmud are what Mr. Shahak has so significantly exposed in this writing.Since most Americans are content with, "...CNN, everything you need to know in 15 minutes", and as a whole are more concerned with the weekend and "Must See TV", the truth about Judaism has easily been concealed in the U.S. For this reason, writings such as Shahak's may at first appear extremely provoc

Such views are usually censored...

I highly recommend reading the book "Jewish history, Jewish Religion". Its author, Israel Shahak, a professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, engages in deep introspection about Jewish religion and practices. He seems deeply toubled by the rigidity, and intolerance of Jewish religion. Shahak quotes from the Talmud and points out a pervasive Jewish racism and haughtiness toward non-Jews. He believes that anti-semitism may have its roots in this historic Jewish mindset. Shahak also points out a wide-spread practice of deception and double-speak. In writing this book, he hopes that other Jews will engage in similar introspection to estabish a more harmonious relationship with Goyims. Recommended books: 'The Holocaust Industry' (by Finkelstein) 'An Eye for an Eye' (John Sack)

A guide to understanding Israel.

In his most illuminating and disturbing book Professor Shahak takes the lid off previously hidden Orthodox Jewish beliefs and practices. He explains how these beliefs are at the heart of the Zionist adventure and constitute a major influence upon Israeli government policies and actions. We are made aware of the paradox of a largely secular state basing its raison d'etre and future direction upon biblical text. The depth of Orthodox Jewish antipathy toward the gentile, and especially toward Christianity (and Jesus) will come as an unsettling surprise to the many millions of American evangelical Christians who uncritically accept a fawning admiration of all things Israeli repeatedly displayed by the TV evangelists. Frightening, too, is the near-total control of most Jewish organizations now in the hands of Zionists; it is now almost impossible for a Jew to openly disassociate him or herself from, let alone be critical of, the state of Israel or the aims of Zionism. Whereas the critical gentile must be an 'anti-Semite' so must the critical Jew be 'self-hating'. Whatever your point of view on the situation in Israel, whatever your religion or philosophical perspective, however deeply you hold your convictions, you cannot fail to be challenged by this marvelous book.