Antisemitism: Myth and Hate from Antiquity to the Present

Marvin Perry and Frederick Schweitzer have written an important treatment of the origins and development of antisemitism from antiquity to the present. The authors begin with the account of the death and trial of Jesus in the gospels which portray theJews as "Christ Killers," creating a myth that has been nourished in the Christian church throughout the centuries. The second chapter covers the outrageous and absurd accusation that the Jews practice murder of Christian children as a religious ritual. Such allegations, common in the Middle Ages, began to appear again in the 17th century in eastern Europe. This blood libel is still flourishing, especially in Arab countries,The third major subject is the demonization of the Jews: Christians equated the Jews with Satan or the Antichrist during the Middle Ages, and the Jews were blamed for the Black Death. Luther laid the foundations for German antisemitism, although the authors point out that "anti-Judaism during the middle Ages and the Reformation was essentially theological, not racial." A racial anti-Judaism arose in Spain, where it was argued that the Jews were wicked not only because of religion but also because they had bad blood. In the 19th century, extreme nationalism and Volkish thought (which saw the Jew as a racial inferior) set the scene for modern, racial antisemitism. Anotherstrand of calumny centers around the notorious forgery, the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, which lays out a conspiracy on the part of leading Jews to take over the world. The authors show that the Protocols was widely accepted in Germany and was an important ingredient, along with Volkish nationalism, in the Germans' acceptance of the Nazi doctrine of racial antisemitism. More recently, the Protocols have foundwidespread approbation in the Muslim world.Chapter four concerns the economic view of the Jew as Shylock. Again, the authors trace this phenomenon from the Middle Ages into modern times. A very interesting section deals with Karl Marx's antisemitism in his essay "On the Jewish Question," andWerner Sombart's writings in support of Marx's views. A particularly sad conclusion to the chapter details Henry Ford's use of the Protocols of Zion which led Hitler to declare that Ford was his inspiration.The final chapter deals with the denial of the Holocaust by neo-Nazis. After addressing the views of individual deniers of the Holocaust, the authors refute the myth itself. The final topic is the growing antisemitism in the black community. The authors argue that, although Jews were heavily represented in the civil rights movement, there has been a deepening alienation between African Americans and Jews. Louis Farrakhan, as head of the Nation of Islam, has taken advantage of this alienation and exacerbated it.This study, based on the latest scholarship, is carefully conceived and well-written. Its spirit is ecumenical and irenic. Its subtitle, "Myth and Hate from Antiquity to thePresent," neatly sums up its co

Perry and Schweitzer have written an interesting and informative analysis of why the Jewish people have faced so much hatred and adversity throughout their history, including up to the present. The authors look at a number of myths about Jews, such as Jews as Christ killers and ritual murderers, the diabolization of Jews, denial of the Holocaust and anti-semitism and the Nation of Islam. Each myth is examined and debunked through a reasoned analysis of historical fact. This is an important book for today's world as many of these myths continue to live on, as evidenced by Holocaust deniers and events such as the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's not yet released film, The Passion, depicting the trial and death of Jesus. Although slow going at times, as a layperson, I found this scholarly work quite readable and highly worthwhile.

In their new book, Perry and Schweitzer make perfectly clear that Antisemitism is not merely a social problem but an international, religious, and political one, and is not limited to those categories. They do not bash anyone but fulfill the historian's responsibility of precise analysis and interpretation based on evidence. It is utterly wrong to believe that no one can really understand Antisemitism: Thanks to books like this one, it is well and widely understood. The authors hold out real hope for those who seek to combat Antisemitism, and give an example of what can be done by their part in the successful struggle to rebut and utterly discredit the notorious Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel. One of the great merits of this book is its demonstration that Antisemitism was created by non-Jews and is in essence a problem for non-Jews. They make it clear that peace and reconciliation between Jews and non-Jews will not come through pious hopes and the vague goodwill of loving those who hate you. Appropriately, an editorial in the Richmond Times-Dispatch urged Congressman Moran and Patrick Buchanan to get over their absurd prejudices and delusions about Jews by studying this book.

Since the 1967 Israeli-Arab War, antisemitism has been revived throughout the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. The age old canards of ritual murder and deicide, and the recent ones of holocaust denial and anti-Zionism have gathered new adherants among Islamics and Christians. The authors of 'ANTISEMITISM', Marvin Perry and Frederick M. Schweitzer, have written a very readable and scholarly work explaining clearly the genesis and development of the many ugly heads of antisemitism. The factual material presented leads to conclusions which are not necessarily 'politically correct', but are logically sound. The authors describe the historical basis of religious and racial antisemitism which enables the reader to better understand the recent works of Catholic writers such as James Carrol and Gary Wills which deal with church bigotry. The present day use of well-worn anti-Judaic myths by Islamic fundamentalists and their camp followers are dealt with in an understandable manner. The authors collectively bring decades of scholarly expertise in writing this important book.

Collaboratively researched and written by historian Marvin Perry and Frederick M. Schweitzer (Director of the Manhattan College Holocaust Resource Center), Antisemitism: Myth And Hate From Antiquity To The Present is an extensive and informative survey and analysis of anti-Semitic myths that have been perpetrated for generations, and which range from Biblical times down to the twentieth century and into the present day. Antisemitism reveals how these lies, exaggerations, untruths, and cultural myths about Jewish people have been used for centuries to justify and fuel unspeakable brutality and genocidal murder against an entire race and faith. A scholarly study of hate-based, mind-twisting perversions and lies from the fabricated stories of Jews ritually sacrificing Christian children to modern-day Holocaust denials, Antisemitism should be found upon the Judaic Studies shelves of every college and community library in the country.