Explaining Jews, Part III: A Very Insecure People (Dennis Prager Alert)

Townhall.com ^ | 06/21/06 | Dennis Prager

[SJackson]

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[papertyger]

There is some shaky logic in this article, and this is among the shakiest.

Please elaborate.

[papertyger]

Making aliyah is admirable from a faith perspective, but it's also a little nutty.

Isn't that the point of faith? The idea is taking actions predicated on the conviction THE most decisive factor is not quantifiable.

Have you ever considered what it would take to "sell" Joshua's battle plan for Jericho to modern military commanders? :o)

[chooseDoubt]

In Spain the reason why the Jews were evicted was basically because they had bank rolled the war and the Spanish didn't want to pay them back. The actual religious persecution was initiated as a means to an end, so the cause was finance and not a hatred of the Jewish people.

[Alouette]

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[Invincibly Ignorant]

There is some shaky logic in this article, and this is among the shakiest.

What exactly do you find shakey? Assimilation as a result of persecution or their desire to lead a safe life?

[familyop]

I saw the revisionist remarks in this thread. Here's a link to a small part of the history of the world's continuing religious war against Judaism.

Spain

Add to that the fact that during the English Civil War, the few Puritan military leaders who didn't hate Judaism used Maranos (with their ostensible appearances of being Spanish Romans) as spies against the Cavaliers.

I don't why so many people of the most populous religion cry leftist victimology when historical truths are published, or why they prefer to further disseminate propaganda devised by the likes of the IHR and Stormfront. Hitler acted on the same kinds of lies about history. It seems that they would best admit wrongs of the past whenever the topic is mentioned. The wrongs of the past are a good reason for doing better things and living a more recent history that their grandchildren will be proud of.

[wardaddy]

I agree with you largely and regrettably (not you personally).

I have had conversations with leftist Jews and they have stronger more visceral reactions towards "too much power in the hands of Christians" than they do about Mohammedanism.

Their holy grail is secularism, more government, anti-firearms and pro-abortion.

All of which work against their own survival as a distinct Jewish identity.

Why that is.....I have no clue. I can surmise of course....too much tikkun olam, pogrom resentments, messianic replacement and an anthropocentric orientation...all just wild guesses. Obviously some Jews (those here of course)don't toe that line but arguably 60-80% do. The Jewish Conservatives here have their work cut out for them. Godspeed to them. I find Jews very intriguing. I think the exclusiveness of their culture and gene pool is at the same time their greatest strength and weakness.

I like Israelis....I do not believe as this article states that all American Jews really support Israel down a serious hard love violent prevail or survive path.

I think more than a few say what they think Edgar Bronfman would say...."the correct answer" on Israel. How can they be hawkish on Israel and dovish on the US? That's inconsistent in this war with most of Islam we and Israel are battling and appears at least to place religious and identity loyalty over this nation which I thought was verboten here.

I can empathize though....I loathed seeing Clinton bomb Christians in the Balkans to help Muslims some of whom would and did betray us .

It's complicated. Jews are providential...only God knows and sometimes it sure doesn't make much sense.

I'd listen Isaiah were I them. Saavy ol prophet. Me personal favorite from the old covenant. Heed God....pretty simple.

[KellyAdmirer]

The author's blanket statement that assimilation is overwhelmingly due to a desire to avoid persecution is made without a shred of proof or logical justification. Look around today - assimilation is going on strong, especially in the U.S. Is this because of some desire to avoid persecution? I think the author is arguing from his personal biases or some other deep-seated impulse that is not logical.

If the author wants to be taken seriously, he should avoid conclusory, challengeable statements like that. I personally don't believe that assimilation takes place solely or even mostly because of a desire to avoid persecution. It takes place for a wide range of reasons. Why does it take place today? We all can dredge up anecdotal historical examples to support this side or that, but I don't see a shred of foundation to the author's sweeping conclusion.

[gleeaikin]

Spain did not want to repay Jews for the war.

Good point, this was the pattern in many countries, times and places. Since Christianity did not allow interest payments, nobody wanted to lend money, so they the borrowed from the Jews (who by the way were not allowed to own land which they could use for economic activity) and then found ways to not pay them back. Talk about beating a dog, and then complaining that he is viscious!!

[timsbella]

"Since Christianity did not allow interest payments, nobody wanted to lend money, so they the borrowed from the Jews (who by the way were not allowed to own land which they could use for economic activity) and then found ways to not pay them back. Talk about beating a dog, and then complaining that he is viscious!"

Familiar in light of Palestine, i.e. biting the hand that feeds you (i.e. collects your taxes).

[son of caesar]

Thank your for your response to my previous post. I agree with you on Isaiah, just obey the lord and all things will be A-OK. Shalom.