Since that fateful day of October 7, 2023 – the catalyst that revived Jew-hatred in every corner of society – people have sought to make sense of what is fueling the ugly sentiment that had been safely locked away for nearly eight decades… or so we thought.
Naively thinking that Jewish antipathy could have been avoided with just a bit more historical education, the reality is that there would always be something to bring out the unexplainable bigotry that has plagued the Jewish people for centuries.
Not much has changed. This time, it took less than a century for Jews to, once again, lose their feeling of security. Cruelly taken from them, it was accompanied by the strong message that they are different from everyone else.
The intersection of woke philosophy and October 7 made it almost effortless to categorize Jews as oppressors, the moment they dared to defend themselves by killing their murderers.
But today’s antisemitism is much more complex than a knee-jerk reaction, resulting from yet another Middle East conflict. The truth is that it’s psychologically linked and as old as the beginning of time. In fact, what we’re witnessing is an all-too-familiar behavioral response, which is predictable when people don’t want to face their own failures and shortcomings.
Much to our discredit, there is something within all of us that is responsible for feeling bad about ourselves when we are forced to acknowledge the success of others. It’s a human flaw, connected to jealousy over the accomplishments we, ourselves, were unable to attain.
While we’re willing to enthusiastically display respect and honor for the talent, investment, and dedication that went into someone’s achievement, there is also the temptation to feel “lesser.”
This is the same dynamic behind what is happening today. When you think about it, 1948 was not all that long ago – just one lifetime away.
But looking back over those years, while we were getting educated, raising a family, and pursuing our careers, Israel was also busily plugging away, building the best society it knew how.
Seeing that this was their chance to excel and reach their greatest heights, Jews banded together, bringing their skills, hard work, and unrelenting drive to a tiny sliver of land called Israel.
Not only did they apply their wealth of talent toward the creation of a superior society, with a strong emphasis on ethics, morality, God-consciousness, and respect for one’s fellow man, but they also took pains to pass on those priceless values to the next generation, teaching each child to strive for the best.
It wasn’t long before those essential principles produced a nation that, through its many skills, technological know-how, and capacity for greatness, became the envy of all.
Jelousy over Israel's success
Yes, Israel has been recognized for its medical, agricultural, and scientific breakthroughs. But at the same time, the world has grudgingly been forced to admit that the country’s intelligence, purposeful creativity, and generous assistance to those in need have bettered the planet.
Consequently, Israel has likely been responsible for many people having to reevaluate their own lack of reaching for the stars. Disturbed at how they stacked up in comparison to this tiny minority of Jewish people, it must be galling to admit that such feats have been produced by 0.2% of the world’s population, dominating in the world of literature, music, performing arts, medicine, technological advances, and more.
It’s sad that such wonderful gifts would cause feelings of inferiority. But there’s nothing new about this story, which began with the first family ever created.
In the book of Genesis, we are immediately confronted with two brothers, Cain and Abel. One excels before his Creator, causing his brother to burn with rage, as he’s made to feel second-rate and less important.
We all know how it ends – with murder, stemming from the hatred he bore in his heart against the success of his brother. Although Cain and Abel were not Jewish, the malady of evil was passed on generationally, still resulting from the same dynamics.
Despite what many may think, today’s antisemitism is not an inconvenient ignorance that can be remedied through a course of intensive study of what has befallen the Jews throughout thousands of years. In fact, it’s likely that it would not even be rectified by a visit to Auschwitz.
That’s because antisemitism is the building up of hate toward a people whose indomitable spirit can never be defeated. They are true survivors, in every sense of the word – unbeatable and resilient, despite all that is thrown at them.
This is what is so vexing to those who hate the Jews. Rather than feel defeated and despondent, Jewish stand-up comedians make jokes out of the way we’ve managed to survive. One example is their definition of a Jewish holiday: “They tried to kill us, they lost… let’s eat!”
Which other people are known for that kind of perseverance, grit, and fortitude? None comes to mind, and certainly not after thousands of years of persecution meant to break our spirits.
This is why today’s woke aspiration for equal outcomes is a highly flawed concept, because people are not automated creations. Every human is unique. We are born with certain abilities, gifts, and talents that comprise our singular footprint.
Every individual is one-of-a-kind, a rare treasure unto themselves. Instead of viewing that through the lens of envy or ingratitude, those differences were meant to bless and enhance one another.
Regrettably, many people are incapable of seeing it that way, and, for them, a thriving and successful nation is too much of a threat to their impoverished egos. That is why their response is to eliminate what is causing the discomfort and intimidation they are feeling.
Antisemitism is a culmination of the weakness and insufficiency of others. They are unwilling to recognize that the people God created for a special task were, in fact, meant to bless them. Nonetheless, due to their overabundance of jealousy, their preference is to do away with those who cause them to feel lesser.
Sadly, that will not change until they are able to come to an appreciation of who they are, as opposed to what they’re not. It can only come from a change of heart, rather than a byproduct of education.
The writer is a former Jerusalem elementary and middle school principal. She is the author of Mistake-Proof Parenting, available on Amazon, based on the time-tested wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs.