Anti-Semitism, now what?

Dear Friends,

Many Jews across the diaspora are grappling with the alarming rise in anti-Semitism since the tragic events of Simchat Torah and wondering what, if anything, we should be doing in response.

The Gemara (Shabbat 89a) interprets the name "Sinai" (as in Mount Sinai) as related to the word "Sinah," meaning hatred. The Iyun Yaakov explains that non-Jews harbor hatred toward us primarily because we observe the Torah and its commandments. He cites a Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 22:2): “If we did not keep the Torah, the nations would neither hate us nor pursue us.” Similarly, Rashi comments (Eicha 1:21): “You [Hashem] caused them to hate me, by separating me from their foods and intermarrying with them.”

This form of religious anti-Semitism has deep roots. As Rashi notes (Bereishit 33:4), "It is a well-known halacha that Esav hates Yaakov." The use of the word "halacha" here implies that this hatred is a fixed reality, beyond rational explanation. 

The lofty values of Judaism create a guilty conscience that can turn into vicious hatred. Sadly, there are even “Jewish anti-Semites” who hate the Torah more than non-Jews do, as the Gemara (Pesachim 49b) suggests because they are wrestling with a strong guilty conscience. We have witnessed some of this manifesting on college campuses.

So, what should we do? We must recognize our uniqueness and destiny because if we don’t, Hashem will remind us to do so, ensuring that we do not disappear and assimilate as a people.

As we enter the holy month of Elul, and prepare for the new year of 5785, let us strengthen our connection to Hashem and His Torah so that we may merit the final redemption speedily in our days.

Sholom S. Mimran