I've just re-read Parts 1-4 yesterday and today. Looking forward to Parts 5 and 6 all in good time. I see the same saga of semitism vs antisemitism playing out daily. In many spaces and clusters of interests. The concepts of moshiach/messiah generally speaking are quite different between sects and cultures as well as generally different between Jewish persons who actually know their texts vs Christians of all sorts who actually known their own texts. Rabbi Tovia Singer knows both sides in the most extreme details. Henry Abramson knows the Jewish texts extremely well and is a luminary of Jewish History which intertwines with World History as well as the particulars of the areas and subjects of this essay series. Rabbi Meir Soloveicick is completely literate in the full canon of Judaism and has a lifetime passion for History and Jewish History. He is the Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Congregation in NYC - said to be the oldest congregation in the USA. The subject of the "God fearers" that you mention of ancient times proves the adage "Everything old is new again". Today there is an abundance of "God fearers" who are now commonly referred to as Bnei Noahide i.e. people who are not Jewish but who recognize the moral value and clarity of what you describe as semitic in values. Ironically, there is a huge schism within the Jewish people in a divide QUITE similar to your thesis semitism vs antisemitism. I sometimes have simplified that field as between "Jewish Values" vs "Torah Values". Although both may fall fully within your semitism the "Jewish Values" are definitely (at least in a large percentage) effected by the pull/push/posh/pish of antisemitism or what is often referred to as "Hellenism". Again that cache of topics comprises its own broad field. I'm struggling to articulate a) that you are right on target; and, b) the target is moving at an increasing volume or vibe. For me this is the gist of one of the most interesting things happening on the Planet. That is what you are telling us and working out yourself is a way of viewing and learning from an overarching 'event' in real time and in our unusual Time. Much to say.... Closing: Thanks very much and regards, Ira
I appreciate your writing and agree with the fundamental premise.
The Jewish semite behavior too has paradoxical elements. While based on a slave revolt, their journey away from slavery was perhaps necessarily self-serving e.g., a non-Hebrew slave would be freed given they converted to Judaism. Their application of usary to all but themselves was significantly extractive. Fallen.
Not to be misunderstood, the roman-catholics historical behavior? Also fallen.
Over the generations things have gotten better overall, but as you point out the battle is far from over.
I am so happy I read this because it explained a lot. I watch a lot of archeology and history on You Tube.
I never understood the emphasis on the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures since the USA is a " Judeo Christian"culture. Rabbi Singer( on You Tube) claims about Paul are similar to yours. Thank you
This theory is spot-on in illuminating the big picture.
You note that the Church paradox "goes mostly unnoticed—because it is fully Western." True; but a small number of us may notice it more. In first reading the Christian Bible as an adult, much of it struck hard ("Jews are sons of the devil," "Synagogue of Satan," Jews bribed guards of Jesus' tomb to deny the Resurrection, etc.). I also discovered that "noticing" these parts is unwelcome by both Christians and Jews; so apologies for the offense. (Example - after the U.S. synagogue shootings, divinity scholars tapped by leftist media stridently proclaimed that the anti-Jewish verses both shooters quoted had everything to do with White Nationalism and nothing to do with scripture.) So I deduce that anti-Zionism won't be viewed as antisemitism as long as antisemitism isn't viewed as antisemitism.
The role of (inaptly named) "self-hating" Jews in intensifying the "paradox" throughout history also interests me (blood libel, Talmud slanders, etc.), though this too goes unnoticed.
Also curious how so many of any/no religion implement the "antisemitism" column while avowing the "semitism" column. Maybe a cognition inquiry is called for too? Looking forward to upcoming essays.
I'm reading "The Mythmaker: Paul and the Invention of Christianity" by Hyam Maccoby. Something on p. 62 jumped out for me because it resonates with your theory:
[Apropos the corruption of the meaning of "Messiah," not considered divine in Judaism] "Judaism had steadfastly refused to attribute divine status even to its greatest prophet, Moses, whose human failings are emphasized in scripture. Judaism had encountered a succession of human-divine figures throughout its history, from the deified Pharaohs of Egypt to the deified emperors of Greece and Rome, and had always found such worship to be associated with oppression and slavery."
I.e., an interesting link between religious & political.
I've just re-read Parts 1-4 yesterday and today. Looking forward to Parts 5 and 6 all in good time. I see the same saga of semitism vs antisemitism playing out daily. In many spaces and clusters of interests. The concepts of moshiach/messiah generally speaking are quite different between sects and cultures as well as generally different between Jewish persons who actually know their texts vs Christians of all sorts who actually known their own texts. Rabbi Tovia Singer knows both sides in the most extreme details. Henry Abramson knows the Jewish texts extremely well and is a luminary of Jewish History which intertwines with World History as well as the particulars of the areas and subjects of this essay series. Rabbi Meir Soloveicick is completely literate in the full canon of Judaism and has a lifetime passion for History and Jewish History. He is the Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Congregation in NYC - said to be the oldest congregation in the USA. The subject of the "God fearers" that you mention of ancient times proves the adage "Everything old is new again". Today there is an abundance of "God fearers" who are now commonly referred to as Bnei Noahide i.e. people who are not Jewish but who recognize the moral value and clarity of what you describe as semitic in values. Ironically, there is a huge schism within the Jewish people in a divide QUITE similar to your thesis semitism vs antisemitism. I sometimes have simplified that field as between "Jewish Values" vs "Torah Values". Although both may fall fully within your semitism the "Jewish Values" are definitely (at least in a large percentage) effected by the pull/push/posh/pish of antisemitism or what is often referred to as "Hellenism". Again that cache of topics comprises its own broad field. I'm struggling to articulate a) that you are right on target; and, b) the target is moving at an increasing volume or vibe. For me this is the gist of one of the most interesting things happening on the Planet. That is what you are telling us and working out yourself is a way of viewing and learning from an overarching 'event' in real time and in our unusual Time. Much to say.... Closing: Thanks very much and regards, Ira
I appreciate your writing and agree with the fundamental premise.
The Jewish semite behavior too has paradoxical elements. While based on a slave revolt, their journey away from slavery was perhaps necessarily self-serving e.g., a non-Hebrew slave would be freed given they converted to Judaism. Their application of usary to all but themselves was significantly extractive. Fallen.
Not to be misunderstood, the roman-catholics historical behavior? Also fallen.
Over the generations things have gotten better overall, but as you point out the battle is far from over.
I am so happy I read this because it explained a lot. I watch a lot of archeology and history on You Tube.
I never understood the emphasis on the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures since the USA is a " Judeo Christian"culture. Rabbi Singer( on You Tube) claims about Paul are similar to yours. Thank you
This theory is spot-on in illuminating the big picture.
You note that the Church paradox "goes mostly unnoticed—because it is fully Western." True; but a small number of us may notice it more. In first reading the Christian Bible as an adult, much of it struck hard ("Jews are sons of the devil," "Synagogue of Satan," Jews bribed guards of Jesus' tomb to deny the Resurrection, etc.). I also discovered that "noticing" these parts is unwelcome by both Christians and Jews; so apologies for the offense. (Example - after the U.S. synagogue shootings, divinity scholars tapped by leftist media stridently proclaimed that the anti-Jewish verses both shooters quoted had everything to do with White Nationalism and nothing to do with scripture.) So I deduce that anti-Zionism won't be viewed as antisemitism as long as antisemitism isn't viewed as antisemitism.
The role of (inaptly named) "self-hating" Jews in intensifying the "paradox" throughout history also interests me (blood libel, Talmud slanders, etc.), though this too goes unnoticed.
Also curious how so many of any/no religion implement the "antisemitism" column while avowing the "semitism" column. Maybe a cognition inquiry is called for too? Looking forward to upcoming essays.
It does sound like you are getting this. Very exciting comment. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
I'm reading "The Mythmaker: Paul and the Invention of Christianity" by Hyam Maccoby. Something on p. 62 jumped out for me because it resonates with your theory:
[Apropos the corruption of the meaning of "Messiah," not considered divine in Judaism] "Judaism had steadfastly refused to attribute divine status even to its greatest prophet, Moses, whose human failings are emphasized in scripture. Judaism had encountered a succession of human-divine figures throughout its history, from the deified Pharaohs of Egypt to the deified emperors of Greece and Rome, and had always found such worship to be associated with oppression and slavery."
I.e., an interesting link between religious & political.
Ah, that Dave McGowan. One of the greats.