The Eternal Jew (1937) The Eternal Jew (1940)

Antisemitism: “The Longest Hatred”

The basic meaning of the word “antisemitism” is dislike of Jews. Beyond this initial assertion,however, we are faced with a variety of difficulties. One of these is that the word is used toapply to a whole variety of attitudes to Jews, from vague feelings of unease to outright murder,and the whole spectrum of feelings and actions that fall between those two extremes. . . .[Antisemitism] is a relatively recent word, coined in the late nineteenth century to denote toidea of the Jews as a race, and has come to stand for a millenia-old phenomenon—hatred ofJews. . . . [68]

The Holocaust & Antisemitism (2003)

1) Pagan antisemitism2) Christian antisemitism 3) Medieval & early modern antisemitism4) Modern secular or “scientific” antisemitism (19th century +)

“Big Picture” Questions:1) How & why did antisemitism originate?2) How & why did it change over time in differing historical circumstances/contexts?3) What effects did it have the Jewish populations of Europe?4) In what ways is modern antisemitism different from earlier forms?

Antisemitism: Greco-Roman Antiquity

Flavius Josephus (1st century A.D., Jewish historian) Against Apion Book II

But besides this, Apion objects to us thus: "If the Jews (says he) be citizens of Alexandria, why do they not worship the same gods with the Alexandrians?“

Moreover, Apion would lay a blot upon us, because we do not erect images for ouremperors; as if those emperors did not know this before, or stood in need of Apionas their defender

Apion hath the impudence to pretend that" the Jews placed an ass's head in theirholy place;" and he affirms that this was discovered when Antiochus Epiphanesspoiled our temple, and found that ass's head there made of gold, and worth a greatdeal of money. . . . Apion ought to have had a regard to these facts, unless he had himself had either an ass's heart or a dog's impudence; of such a dog I mean asthey worship; for he had no other external reason for the lies he tells of us. As for usJews, we ascribe no honor or power to asses…

[Apion] hath done whatever his extravagant love of lying hath dictated to him? . . . [How] is it possible that all the Jews should get together to these sacrifices, and theentrails of one man should be sufficient for so many thousands to taste of them, asApion pretends?

Antisemitism: Beginnings of Christianity

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) & Paul’s Letters

 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.       But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him

over to be crucified. Matthew 27: 23-27

I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father."

"Abraham is our father," they answered. John 8:37-39

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

Romans 10:1-3

Antisemitism: Growth & Spread of Christianity

Common beliefs about Jews expressed by Church Fathers:1) Judaism was degenerate at the time of Jesus2) Jews were Christ killers3) Jewish diaspora was God’s punishment4) Israel had been rejected by God5) Jews were demonized

Constantine, Council of Nicaea (325 AD)It appeared an unworthy thing that in the celebration of this most holy feast [i.e., Easter] we should follow the practice of the Jews, who have impiously defiled theirhands with enormous sin, and are, therefore, deservedly afflicted with blindness ofsoul… Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd; forwe have received out Saviour a different way.

Origen of Alexandria (185-ca. 254 AD)We may thus assert in utter confidence that the Jews will not return to their earlier situation, for they have committed the most abominable of crimes, in forming thisconspiracy against the saviour of the human race.

Antisemitism: Growth & Spread of Christianity

Gregory of Nyssa (ca. 335- after 394 AD)[The Jews were] murderers of the Lord, assassins of the prophets, rebels anddetesters of God . . . Companions of the devil, race of vipers, informers . . .darkeners of the mind, pharisaic leaven, Sanhedrin of demons, accursed, detested,lapidators, enemies of all that is beautiful.

John Chrysostom (347-407) First Homily Against the Jews [Jews] are dogs, stiff-necked, gluttonous, drunkards. They are beasts unfit for work… fit for killing, for slaughter. There is no difference between the theatre and the synagogue…The synagogue is a dwelling of demons…a place of idolatry…

Is it not strange that those who worship the Crucified keep common festival with those who crucified him? With those who shouted ‘Crucify him, Crucify him’ and ‘His blood be upon us and upon our children?’ All Jews are demons and all are guilty.

Code of Theodosius II (438)

Indeed we believe it sinful that the enemies of the heavenly majesty of the Roman Laws should become the executors of our laws…and that they…should have the power to judge or decide as they wish against Christians, yes, frequently even over bishops of our holy religion themselves, and thus, as it were, insult our faith.

Antisemitism: The Middle Ages

Common Beliefs about Jews by the Late Middle Ages:1) stubbornness2) wanderers3) diabolical magical powers4) carnality5) blood libel & ritual child murder6) host desecration7) global conspiracy8) well poisoning9) parasites

The First Crusade (1095-1099) “the infidels within”We depart to wage war against the enemies of God, while here in our very midst dwell the …murderers of our Redeemer [pogrom in Rouen, France]

pogroms in Mainz, Worms, & Trier

The Black Death (1347-1351) “poisoning the wells”Canon Heinrich Truchess: “And, thus, within one year as I have said, all the Jews

between Cologne and Austria were burnt. And in Austria they await the same fate for they are accursed of God…

Judensau

Antisemitism: The Middle Ages

The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) Canon 67The more the Christians are restrained from the practice of usury, the more are theyoppressed in this matter by the treachery of the Jews, so that in a short time theyexhaust the resources of the Christians. Wishing, therefore, in this matter to protectthe Christians against cruel oppression by the Jews, we ordain in this decree that ifin the future under any pretext Jews extort from Christians oppressive andimmoderate interest, the partnership of the Christians shall be denied them till theyhave made suitable satisfaction for their excesses.

Canon 68

In some provinces a difference in dress distinguishes the Jews or Saracens from the Christians, but in certain others such a confusion has grown up that they cannot be distinguished by any difference. Thus it happens at times that through error Christians have relations with the women of Jews or Saracens, and Jews and Saracens with Christian women. Therefore, that they may not, under pretext of error of this sort, excuse themselves in the future for the excesses of such prohibited intercourse, we decree that such Jews and Saracens of both sexes in every Christian province and at all times shall be marked off in the eyes of the public from other peoples through the character of their dress.

Antisemitism: Luther & Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther, The Jews & Their Lies (1543)I had made up my mind to write no more either about the Jews or against them. Butsince I learned that these miserable and accursed people do not cease to lure tothemselves even us, that is, the Christians, I have published this little book, so that Imight be found among those who opposed such poisonous activities of the Jewswho warned the Christians to be on their guard against them. I would not havebelieved that a Christian could be duped by the Jews into taking their exile andwretchedness upon himself. However, the devil is the god of the world, andwherever God's word is absent he has an easy task, not only with the weak but alsowith the strong. May God help us. Amen.

What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews? Since they live among us, we dare not tolerate their conduct, now that we are aware of their lying and reviling and blaspheming. If we do, we become sharers in their lies, cursing and blasphemy. Thus we cannot extinguish the unquenchable fire of divine wrath, of which the prophets speak, nor can we convert the Jews. With prayer and the fear of God we must practice a sharp mercy to see whether we might save at least a few from the glowing flames. We dare not avenge ourselves. Vengeance a thousand times worse than we could wish them already has them by the throat. I shall give you my sincere advice: