Why the Jews?: The Reason for Antisemitism

by Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin

Book Overview

From the bestselling authors of The Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism, a compelling discussion of the dangerous rise in antisemitism during the twenty-first century.

The very word Jew continues to arouse passions as does no other religious, national, or political name. Why have Jews been the object of the most enduring and universal hatred in history? Why did Hitler consider murdering Jews more important than winning...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743246209
• ISBN13: 9780743246200
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

How old are the kids now, Isaac?

The doctor's four, the lawyer's seven. That joke, cracked by a Jewish buddy, goes some way towards explaining the 'traditional' dislike of Jews in general, which has sometimes tragically spilled over into outright persecution and genocide. One of the reasons I have always clicked with Jewish contacts, who later became friends, is that they are highly intelligent and goal driven. Yet this desire to be the best they can be, in business, in education, has often triggered jealousies in others, who resent the successes of the Jews, even though they have been honestly earned. I agree with Lucien, that the idea that Jew haters have somehow been driven by some theological wranglings regarding the nature of 'the Jews' God' and the requirements of worship, never enters the head of most knee-jerk Jew bashers. While some of Prager's ideas regarding the early development of anti-Semitism are worthy of attention, I think he perhaps underestimates how much of it has now and for centuries been literally the result of habit and 'passed down' hate mongering. Everybody knows everybody hates the Jews, so they still do. Also, the suggestion, however worded, that only anti-Semites see America as being Israel's big brother and protector, is very shaky, as historically alone, the US has always clearly and unequivocally supported Israel, the landmark act being the unprecedented airlift of weapons to bolster a flagging Israel, during the Yom Kippur War (Operation Nickel Grass). It's a good book, and Prager is a fine writer who does his homework; I'm just not sure that all of his conclusions are bang on. Shalom.

Brilliant

Dennis Prager is emerging as one of the single most insightful and important conservative thinkers in the country. His analysis of Jew-hatred is by far and away the best organized, comprehensive, and compelling account I have ever seen. In an age in which religion-based radicalism seeks to kill the Jews all over again, Prager's book couldn't be more timely.

Thought Provoking Read On An Ever Increasing Hatred.

This book seeks to examine the very roots of anti-Semitism, the term used to describe the hatred of the Jews. Many avenues are explored such as why the Jews have been the object of the most enduring and universal hatred directed towards any people group in history. Additionally, the book discusses why the Jewish state of Israel has now become the most despised country in the World today.The inherent hatred of the Jews within some elements of the Church and Islam are also studied, both from a historical perspective and also pertaining to the present day. Sections are also devoted to the anti-Semitism of the Nazi era and how it is also present today in relation to those who support or profess Zionism. A particularly interesting section discusses how much modern day anti-Semitism is hidden beneath a more respectable veneer bearing the anti-Zionist label.One such example given is that on page 172 which quotes from the statement by Shukairy, who was the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation before Yasser Arafat. Shukairy used to openly declare that "the Jews should be driven into the sea". The book proceeds to describe that when such a statement no longer became politically expedient or served the Arab cause, the statement was promptly changed to "the Zionists should be driven into the sea".Indeed many differing lines of thought are discussed and a variety of issues investigated. This book will certainly make the reader think and contemplate the real roots of this ongoing issue, which is described as being more prevalent now than at any time since the Nazi era.The book however does not address the spiritual aspect behind anti-Semitism which underlies the Christian Gospel message. Something which many may dispute, but which describes the real roots of this hatred as being demonic and which sets itself against the whole Jewish race, the coming & return of the Jewish/Christian Messiah together with the message of redemption to all mankind. A demonic hatred whose end is described in the book of Revelation within the Bible.In addition to this book I would respectfully recommend the books entitled "Jesus Was A Jew" by Arnold Fruchtenbaum & "The Anguish Of The Jews; Twenty Three Centuries Of Anti-Semitism" by Edward H. Flannery.

Eye-opener

As I followed the Arab-Israel conflict I got more and more confused about how people that didn't know anything about the subject, of all walks of life, became more and more prejudiced against Israel in my country with the help, of course, of the media. Since I knew a little about Israel's history and how it had been the target of many neighboring countries since its very beginning, I decided to do a little research to understand what was happening. Part of the research is this book, which really opened my eyes to a very sad picture. Easy to read, the authors use very simple logic and examples (full of quotes) to disprove common myths about anti-Semitism. It shows how Jews have been killed because they were poor or rich, because they were communists or because they were capitalists. In the end, because they were Jews. It gave a me a first idea of what Judaism is. The book was written at the time of the Soviet Union and shows what was happening then. I intend to read more from the same authors because their style isn't aggressive and is coherent with what they preach, in my opinion. It is a warning to those who think that what happens in the Middle East is a Jew problem.

Making sense of the insensible.

A non-Jewish professional colleague of mine asked me the question posed in the title, "Why the Jews?" I postulated the same erroneous cliche's of being an easily scapegoated minority, being education-centric, being affluent, being money-lenders, being different, etc. All answers with which I was disastisfied as incorrect, incomplete, or untrue. Rabbi Telishkin and Mr. Prager's book concisely, clearly and skillfully analyzes the root causes of antisemitism (ethical monotheism, moral law, peoplehood) and debunks all the easy or contrived answers. A great book, and a must read for all.