Why the Jews?

Why the Jews? – that was the title of the book I saw the gentleman reading. My interest was aroused and I was determined to get closer to him. My wife reminded me that we were on vacation. Neither her reminder nor the fact that we were on a cruise at the time, impeded my interest. I wanted more answers to the question my World Religion college students ask each semester – why have Jews been persecuted more than any other people group in history?

My quest for answers prompted me to befriend the reader. After some two hours of conversation, I knew I had to get my own volume – I have never regretted that investment I made some years ago.

In almost every instance, whenever the reason for anti-Semitism is raised, one hears answers like, “look at what the Jews are doing to the Palestinians.” Persons who answer like that do not know Jewish history. Even before the Jews were known as a nation, an attempt was made to annihilate them. Then, it was the Egyptians, as recorded in the first chapter of Exodus.

Throughout history, other attempts were made by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Seleucids, and the Romans. On at least three occasions during the last 350 years, annihilation campaigns have been waged against the Jews: the Chmelnitzky massacres in Eastern Europe (1648-49), the Nazi German destruction between 1939 and 1945 and the current attempts by Iran and radical Islam. 

In their volume, Why the Jews? – authors Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin believe they have identified why Jews have been hated so much for thousands of years. They advance four reasons worthy of reflection.

1. Judaism was birthed in polytheistic cultures. 
It was in those cultures Jews affirmed what they considered to be the one and only God of all humankind. In affirming this monotheistic position, Jews were implying illegitimacy to everyone else’s gods. This sense of religious identity is a threat to any culture that is rooted in polytheism. The result – feelings of resentment.

2. Judaism has also held from the earliest times that the Jews were chosen by God to achieve the mission of bringing the world to God and His moral law. In other words, their monotheistic God chose them as a people to accomplish His purposes. That concept of being chosen by God is fodder for hate by those who were not chosen.

3. Jews have always believed that by choosing them God intended to use them to make the world a better place. As stated in one ancient Jewish prayer, “to repair the world under the rule of God.” This is a clear appeal to make religious demands on non-Jewish societies. 

4. As a result of the Jews’ commitment to Judaism, they have led higher-quality lives than non-Jewish neighbors in almost every society where they have lived. With minimal natural resources, Israel has the highest average living standards in the Middle East. Twenty-four percent of Israel’s workforce holds university degrees, ranking third in the industrialized world. Interestingly, Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce. 

Authors Prager and Telushkin believe that the higher quality of life among Jews, directly results from Judaism. This they believe has provoked profound envy and hostility among non-Jews. Hence their conclusion, a belief in Judaism is the root cause of anti-Semitism. 

Interestingly, Jews who abandoned their Jewish identity and assumed the religious and national identities of others were no longer persecuted. This view was clearly illustrated during the Inquisition, when Jews, who chose to convert to Christianity, were spared from persecution. A similar picture was painted some 1,000 years earlier when Jews were executed or kicked out of the city of Yathrib (Medina) if they did not accept the message of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. 

History confirms that Judaism represents a threat to the core values, allegiances and beliefs of other people groups. In addition, all the super powers that overthrew the Jews are relics of history. In 1948, the tiny nation of Israel was resurrected. It was resurrected with many of the beliefs and practices they adopted thousands of years earlier. 

Despite her many successes, I do not believe that modern Israel is being rewarded by God for her faithfulness to Him. Many Jews today will affirm their heritage, but not the God of their forefathers. In Israel today, many practice godless values. Many reflect a spirit of pride and intolerance. 

Today, Israel is surrounded by many enemies. Anti-Semitism is alive around the world. Meaningful peace in the land of Israel seems impossible. At this time, the words of the Lord to King Solomon are so appropriate: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).