“Concerning the Jews” 2023 version
Sampson was a Jew — therefore not a fool. The Jews have the best average brain of any people in the world. The Jews are the only race who work wholly with their brains and never with their hands… They are peculiarly and conspicuously the world’s intellectual aristocracy.
So wrote, Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) who is considered America’s greatest writer. The year was 1879.
In his youth, Twain held the same negative stereotypes of Jews that his neighbors embraced — that they were all acquisitive, cowardly and clannish. Hannibal, Missouri, Twain’s hometown, had only one Jewish family, the Levys, and Twain joined in hazing the young Levy sons. In 1857, Twain wrote a humorous but uncomplimentary newspaper article about Jewish coal dealers for a Keokuk, Iowa newspaper.
Later, Twain seems to have had a change of heart about Jews around the time of the Civil War. He confided to his daughter Suzy that “the Jews seemed to him a race to be much respected . . . they had suffered much, and had been greatly persecuted, so to ridicule or make fun of them seemed to be like attacking a man when he was already down.”
Twain replaced his earlier negative stereotype of the Jewish people with another, more positive one.
In March 1898, Harper’s Magazine published Twain’s essay, where he noted the attacks on the Jews without comment and their continuous persecution, sparking responses from readers, including an American Jewish lawyer who inquired about the persistence of baseless animosities against Jews and the possibility of ending this prejudice. In response, Twain penned “Concerning the Jews,” which Harper’s also published. Twain expected the article to please almost no one. His prediction was correct.
“Concerning the Jews” by Mark Twain, 1898
The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then . . . passed away. The Greek and the Roman followed. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts… All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?
Full text to Harper’s article PDF
Amazon book, Concerning the Jews
Jewish Nobel laureates
Of the 954 individual Nobel Prize recipients between 1901 and 2022,[1] at least 212 have been Jews or people with at least one Jewish parent, representing 22% of all recipients. The high number of Jewish Nobel laureates is significant in light of the fact that Jews comprise only 0.2% of the world’s population, meaning their share of winners is 100 times more than their proportion of the world’s population.[2][3][4][5]
There have been Jewish recipients of all six of the Nobel Foundation’s awards:[3]
- Chemistry: 36 (19% of total)
- Economics: 37 (40% of total)
- Literature: 16 (13% of total)
- Peace: 9 (8% of total)
- Physics: 56 (25% of total)
- Physiology or Medicine: 58 (26% of total)
Is antisemitism a result of jealousy?
Antisemitism
Antisemitism is hatred, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews, often rooted in racism. It can be fueled by negative views of Jews as a distinct race or as a result of religious beliefs, with historical influences from anti-Judaism, though the two concepts are separate.
In the contemporary era, the rise of “new antisemitism” has become a concerning phenomenon. This concept involves the exploitation of the Arab-Israeli conflict by numerous concealed antisemites who attempt to cloak their antisemitic views by framing them as criticisms of Israeli government actions, effectively using this conflict as a cover for their hatred. It’s important to distinguish between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies, which is not inherently antisemitic, and this insidious form of disguised hatred which is anti-semitism.
Given that the State of Israel has a Jewish-majority population, antisemitic rhetoric often finds its way into expressions of anti-Israeli sentiment. However, it’s crucial to note that not all criticism of Israeli policies is antisemitic, and sometimes, anti-Israeli sentiments are driven by wider anti-Middle Eastern sentiment rather than exclusively antisemitic motives.
For the most current references and in-depth information on this topic, refer to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), both of which regularly monitor and report on contemporary manifestations of antisemitism. Additionally, scholars and organizations like the Simon Wiesenthal Center provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of antisemitism and its various forms in the modern world.
Is antisemitism a result of lack of education?
Western Education on Jewish and Israel History
The level of education among the average Westerner regarding Jewish life, Jewish holidays, Jewish practices, and the history and current affairs of Israel can vary significantly. In general, many Westerners have limited exposure to and knowledge of these subjects due to various factors:
- Lack of Personal Experience: Western countries, particularly those with smaller Jewish populations, often have limited direct exposure to Jewish culture, traditions, and practices. This lack of personal interaction can contribute to ignorance.
- Educational Gaps: Education systems in Western countries may not provide comprehensive information about Jewish history, culture, and religious practices. Jewish topics might be glossed over or omitted in curricula.
- Media Representation: The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception, and sometimes it provides limited or biased coverage of Jewish and Israeli affairs. This can lead to misconceptions and misunderstandings.
- Geopolitical Bias: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex and politically charged issue. Westerners may have varying degrees of understanding of this conflict, and some might hold strong opinions based on limited information.
- Cultural Diversity: Western societies are often diverse, with various ethnic and religious groups, and the level of knowledge about different communities can vary. Some individuals may have a broader perspective, while others may lack awareness.
- Stereotypes and Prejudice: Prejudices and stereotypes about Jews, Israelis, and the Jewish faith can persist, leading to misinformation and misunderstanding.
That said, it’s important to note that there are also many Westerners who actively seek out information and have a deep interest in Jewish culture, history, and the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. It’s important to approach these subjects with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to understanding and tolerance Resources, books, documentaries, and organizations are available to those who wish to learn more about these topics.
Efforts to bridge these knowledge gaps include educational initiatives, interfaith dialogues, cultural exchanges, and increased media coverage that provides a more balanced and nuanced view of Jewish life, Jewish holidays, Jewish practices, and Israeli history and current affairs.
The extent to which knowledge of Jesus as a Jew may differ based on individual beliefs, religious affiliations, and education. The level of understanding among Westerners about Jesus being a Jewish rabbi and the Last Supper being a Passover meal may vary widely.
Many Westerners with a Christian background or education are aware of these facts, as they are fundamental aspects of Christian teachings and the New Testament. Some individuals, particularly those with a strong religious background, may have a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context in which Jesus lived and the significance of the Last Supper being a Passover meal. In contrast, others, especially those with limited exposure to or interest in religious studies, may not be aware of these details. They may be unaware the Christianity as a separate religion started ~400 years after Jesus’ death.
What is the Holocaust?
The Holocaust was a systematic and state-sponsored genocide during World War II, orchestrated by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. It targeted primarily Jewish people but also other minority groups, political dissidents, disabled individuals, and those considered undesirable by the Nazis. This campaign of mass murder resulted in the death of approximately six million Jews, making it one of the most heinous atrocities in human history.
The Holocaust involved the establishment of concentration camps and extermination camps, where victims were subjected to horrific conditions, forced labor, and mass killings through methods like gas chambers, mass shootings, and starvation. The Nazi regime, led by Adolf Hitler, promoted an extreme form of racial ideology, believing in the superiority of the “Aryan” race and the need to eliminate those they deemed racially inferior.
The Holocaust unfolded in stages, with the Nazis progressively intensifying their efforts to annihilate the Jewish population. The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 stripped Jews of their rights, and the “Final Solution” was conceived during the Wannsee Conference in 1942, marking a turning point in the genocide. The Holocaust serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, prejudice, and the potential for extreme cruelty within human society. Efforts to remember and educate about the Holocaust aim to prevent such horrors from happening again.
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“Five Fundamentals for Humanity” in 12 words
Gather together.
LOVE one another.
Advance Humanity.
Advocate Peace.
Feel God’s Grace.
Wikipedia entries
History of ancient Israel and Judah
Projection for 2020 (Pew Research Center, religious populations by number of adherents and countries based on 2010 estimates) Jewish population in the world 2023 Judaism 14.7 million 0.2%
Demographics Israel including all groups
