Some say that anti-semitism has existed just as long as Jews have existed but it could also be said for racism regarding black people,homophobia regarding gay people and sexism regarding women and so on. Nonetheless it's still an issue and at some point in history we have had those figures which have attempted to drastically change and alter how we view the concept of anti-semitism. The issue has risen to a much higher level than in all it's basic racism tenets. It's almost like having anti-Chinese movements, it's rather specific and strangely does not include other semitic people such as Arabs. Here I analyse the book 'On the Jews and their Lies' written by Christian (one of the founders of the Protestant sect) philosopher Martin Luther.
Before we analyse the anti-Jewish elements found in this Christian text we must first define what makes a person Jewish. Literally, to be Jewish, one must have a Jewish mother or must convert to Judaism according to Jewish Law. In the 19th century however, this definition began to change, and today being Jewish does not refer to the religious aspect but rather to the racial aspect. To identify yourself as a Jew, you have identified yourself racially and not religiously. Since being Jewish is two-fold, it could be argued that so is anti-Semitism, however and this has been a topic of debate among academics. What is associated with anti-Semitism is hostility, hatred and intolerance of Jews. Anti-Semitism could be divided into two types, firstly theological anti-Semitism which is the hostility towards Judaism whilst racial anti-Semitism is hostility based on racial discrimination against the Jewish people. The perception of the Jews within early Christian text falls under theological anti-semitism or it can simply be define as anti-Jewish. This is because, the early church did not discriminate against anyone based on race as everyone was able to be saved by Jesus Christ, therefore describing the early church as anti-semitic would not be exact. Anti-semitism as we know it today can be said to be a result of anti-Jewish ideas which was due to tensions between the Church and the Synagogue and the struggle of the church to establish itself as a legitimate religion.
Philosophers played a role in extending various perceptions of Jews within their work. Martin Luther, a leading figure in the 16th century movement later known as Protestant Reformation, was one such philosopher who’s work comprised various anti-Jewish and anti-Semitic statements. His view of the Jews in his book, On the Jews and their Lies is evident is in the title. But one interesting element is the association of the devil with the Jews, also found in the New Testament. Luther explains that though Jews do have a connection to Israel in blood and ancestry, history shows their arrogance over this matter has caused conflict and caused their own persecution. In their opinion Gentiles are subhuman, “in fact we hardly deserve to be considered poor worms by them”. It is clear that Luther agrees with the perception of the Jews found in St John, “It is intolerable to them [the Jews] to hear that they were not Abraham’s but the devil’s children, nor can they bear to hear this today. If they should surrender this boast and argument, their whole system which is built on it would topple and change”, he describes their attitude as “devilish arrogance”.
However, Luther also explains how there is no difference between Jews and the Gentiles in terms of background and origin.
“I could go back to the beginning of the world and trace our common ancestry from Adam and Eve, later Shem Enoch, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; for all of these are our ancestors just as well as the Jews', and we share equally in the honor, nobility, and fame of descent from them as do the Jews. We are their flesh and blood just the same as Abraham and all his seed are. For we were in the loins of the same holy fathers in the same measure as they were, and there is no difference whatsover with regard to birth or flesh and blood, as reason must tell us"
Clearly, Luther is anti-Jewish, that is undisputed, but this quote suggests that Luther did not discriminate against the Jews based on their ancestry, though he hated the fact that they boasted about it, but claimed that Christians were also on par with the chosen people of God. They both, the Jews and Gentiles, “partake of one birth, on flesh and blood, from the very first, best, and holiest ancestors” The Jews connection to Israel is a great thing but Luther does not want them to be so proud and has attempted to divert attention from the Jews in this matter by also mentioning the noble connection Christians share with the Jews. This is not meant to be unifying, although it would make better sense, but it concerns the basis of Judaism and the foundations which it is built on that cannot be shaken, “the Jews will not give up their pride and boasting about their nobility and lineage” The issue of circumcision is also an area where, according to Luther, Jews are boastful. He argues that circumcision is not for the Jews alone and does not make them God’s chosen people as it is a ruling land down by God and it is practiced by so many, “There is absolute equality; there is no difference, no distinction among them all so far as circumcision and birth are concerned” Luther is describing another perception of the Jews, they believe that they are the chosen people of God and that in itself indicates that they are difference. Luther says there is no difference. It seems as though his logic is born out of pure jealousy of their lineage to the forefathers as Luther is more venomous towards the Jews, he calls them “bloodthirsty and vengeful people” who want to murder the Gentiles. In the 12th century, the Jews were accused of blood libel, the murdering of christian children for the use of their blood in rituals. However, according to Flannery, it was Socrates who first made these accusations of the Jews in Syria who he said murder a Christian boy to use his blood in the feast of Purim. But what is found in the New Testament and Luther’s work are various passages which claim that the Jews want to murder the Gentiles. Therefore the Jews are perceived not only as the murders of Christ but as murders in general.
Furthermore, in section XI, Luther lays down seven actions which should be taken against the Jews. This is what confirms that not only is Luther anti-semitic in his own personal opinion but he also wants people to be physically violent towards the Jews. The seven actions are to set fire to synagogues or schools, their houses destroyed, their sacred books taken from them, that the rabbis should be prohibited from teaching, for safe-conduct on the roads be abolished for the Jews, for usury to be prohibited and finally for young and strong Jews to be put to work in fields. It is for this reason why many academics, such as Wiener, have compared Luther to Hitler, “Adolf Hitler has continued and achieved the work of Luther”. And where does Netanyahu stand in all of this? Well Gaza has been experiencing this seven steps to genocide, schools and houses have been destroyed and Palestinians are perceived by most Israelis in the same way they were once perceived in the West but you decide whether Netanyahu is continuing the work of Martin Luther or not.
Please read:
Cohn, Norman. Warrant for Genocide. Chicago: Brown University, 1981
Flannery, Edward H. The Anguish of the Jews. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1965
Gilman, Sander L. and Katz, Steven T. Anti-Semitism in Times of Crisis. New York: New York University Press, 1991
Gilman, Sander L. and Katz, Steven T. Anti-Semitism in Times of Crisis. New York: New York University Press, 1991
Lindemann, Albert S. Anti-Semitism before the Holocaust. Edinburgh: Pearson Education Limited, 2000
Luther, Martin. On the Jews and their Lies. Trans. Martin H. Bertram. Internet: Fortress Press & Augsburg Fortress, 1971
Wiener, Peter F. Martin Luther: Hitler’s Spiritual Ancestor. London: Hutchinson & Co, 1945
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