Anti-Semitism

This a series of posts explores anti-Semitism, its origins, the motivations behind it, its various manifestations, its consequences, and its possible future. The series also proposes a method for determining when an act or statement is anti-Semitic and concludes with some suggestions for remedying the consequences of anti-Semitism. A series of discussion questions is also included.

Review of the previous post.

The previous post, post number 21 of 33, was the first of two posts discussing possible remedies for the consequences of anti-Semitism.

Preview of this post.

This post, 22 of 33, is the second post of two posts discussing possible remedies for the consequences of anti-Semitism and focuses on the role of repentance to human progress.

VIII. Remedies

1. Repentance is basic to human progress

When a transgression of one person against another has occurred, the Bible prescribes the concept of repentance so the transgression will be corrected and will not occur again. In this way, people learn from their mistakes and progress is made so the next time the same or even a similar situation occurs, the mistake will not be repeated. Thus, any time there is a transgression by one person against another, there should be repentance so humans can progress and move forward toward their ultimate goal of properly exercising dominion over the entities disclosed in Genesis. As discussed in the essay “God’s Ground Rules,” one of the basic ground rules is that humans must all live together. If one human destroys another, or exerts power over another in a way which is not wanted, then there is a transgression by that one human against the other.

Clearly and undeniably, Jews have been transgressed against under the heading of anti-Semitism and hatred. Accordingly, repentance is in order if the human race is to progress beyond this heinous attitude. As discussed elsewhere, repentance requires the transgressor to first accept that he transgressed and own the transgression as his. The next step of attempting to make the person harmed whole again will be quite impossible for the victims of anti-Semitism, particularly the victims of pogroms and the Nazi holocaust.

However, the first step of accepting and owning the transgression is clearly within the power of the non-Jewish population. While some small steps have been taken to accept the responsibility for fomenting anti-Semitism by some small portion of the Christian population. These steps must be extended and expanded to a far greater portion of the population, in particular, the world’s population.

The next step in the repentance process is to take steps so the error is not repeated in the future. This would include modifying the tools used. That is, modify history books, liturgy, textbooks and catechisms. To date, it appears that any steps that have been taken are small, hesitant and often nearly meaningless. Much, much more must be done to show that the non-Jewish population of the world accepts its role in the transgression against Jews and has taken steps to ensure that the transgression will not be repeated. Certainly, a start would be to modify attitudes which are clearly anti-Semitic but are hidden in other actions. For example, extreme criticism of, and retaliation against, Israel under the guise of criticizing a country when identical actions of other, non-Jewish, countries are not criticized or even noted, is a form of anti-Semitism. Such hypocritical actions must cease if the non-Jewish world is to even begin the process of repentance so Jews will be treated like any other human being.

Of course, the next step of making the injured party whole simply is impossible for those murdered simply because they were Jews. However, as was the case with Germany, reparations of some sort might be made. However, this seems to be way too much to ask. Therefore, it might simply be sufficient if the non-Jewish world would simply acknowledge its role in the transgression and take steps to change.

Preview of the next post.

The next post, post number 23 of 33, discusses the new anti-Semitism.