Antisemitism and Modernity: Innovation and Continuity (Routledge Jewish Studies Series) 1st Edition by Hyam Maccoby (PDF)

Description

The subject of anti-Semitism, not long ago thought to be a dead issue, has been revised due to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Maccoby traces the now topical discussion of the origins of Anti-Semitism, and especially its development in the modern world. The key questions that are addressed include:How is it that this medieval prejudice proved so lasting and potent?Are the roots of anti-Semitism religious? If so, how do these roots differ in Christianity and Islam?By what means did it bridge the gap between medievalism and Enlightenment? How was it that many of the most respected Enlightenment figures (such as Voltaire) dedicated as they were to tolerance and pluralism, retained a virulent anti-Semitism?These questions, and many more, are dealt with as Maccoby explores the roots of the anti-Semitism, tracing it from its origins, and shows how it has changed in accordance with the shifting ideas of the modern world but without changing in its essence.Antisemitism and Modernity is essential reading for those with interests in the development of anti-Semitism, its manifestation in the current world and its future.

User’s Reviews

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⭐This is a brilliant short book full of valuable insights. The main thesis is that the fundamental source of anti-semitism is the central role of Judaism in Christian mythology; in the ensuing rivarly, the demonization of the Jews, a populist theological tool to rally Christians in support of the supersessionist idea (and to assuage Christian insecurities) spread all over Europe as Christianity took hold of political power. Politico-ideological and racial anti-semitism are modifications and transmutations of the same medieval themes within the new secular age and while theological Christian anti-semitism barely avoided genocide (thanks to St. Augustine’s theory of Jews as the despised “witness people”), secular-ideological antisemitism had no such constraints, which explains its lethality. Muslim antisemitism is different, as Jews don’t play the same central mythical role in Islamism. However, when a previously second-class people, treated with contempt (the dhimmitude status) dared regain independence after defeating muslims, the contempt turned into ubriddled hatred, fed and stirred by all types of classical Western anti-semitic trash: from Christian blood libels, conspiratorial paranoias, racist nonsense, Nazi fantasies and, more recently, left-wing delusions.It is a great reading, particularly the discussion of anti-semitsm in Shakespeare, Voltaire, Nietzche, Eliot and Pound. At some places the author relies a bit too seriously on psychoanalysis, an amusing pseudo-science, but pseudo-science nontheless, but fortunately this doesn’t cause much harm overall.Highly recommended.

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