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The Satanizing of the Jews: Origin and Development of Mystical Anti-Semitism
The literature about anti-Semitism is vast. However, much of what has been written about it takes the existence of this phenomenon for granted, giving us a history of anti-Semitism without explaining what it really is. Carmichael's treatise is different. It is not primarily a history of atrocities--it goes to the roots, thus clearing the confusion about the distinction between mystical anti-Semitism and other forms of racism.
Mystical anti-Semitism is a singular idea which culminated in the Holocaust and is still alive today. Carmichael contends that it has nothing to do with a personal hatred of the Jews. He argues that the view of anti-Semitism as being directed against real-life Jews has in fact helped objectify the irrational hatred that is at its core.
Anti-Semitism received its mystical element when the Church Fathers transformed historical theory into theology. St. Paul believed in the imminence of the Kingdom of God which would be the end of history and reverse the injustice done to the Jews. To him, God's reentering history was delayed only until the God-forces in this world had finally defeated the Devil-forces. Yet the world did not end, and in the wake of Rome's crushing victory over Judea in the Roman-Jewish War, the idea of the Kingdom of God was postponed indefinitely. Instead, the Universal Church took over God's place in the world, and the Devil's role was assigned to those who rejected Jesus and have since been blamed for his the Jews.
The rise of Christianity established anti-Semitism politically; it finally gained a broad, popular basis during the Crusades, eventually leading to international prosecutions. Ghettoes were established as a consequence of the Reformation.
Carmichael describes the waning of theology's influence during the 18th century, which only caused the concepts of "Jew" and "Jewish" to become abstract and ultimately being equated with Pure Evil; the development of the concept of race in the 19th century, which turned anti-Semitism from a theological notion into a biological one, as exemplified most radically and horribly by Hitler; and Communism's contribution to the perseverance of anti-Semitism.
In an epilogue Carmichael distinguishes mystical anti-Semitism from the Arab opposition to the State of Israel, and examines what the future has in store for the Jews.
Mystical anti-Semitism is a singular idea which culminated in the Holocaust and is still alive today. Carmichael contends that it has nothing to do with a personal hatred of the Jews. He argues that the view of anti-Semitism as being directed against real-life Jews has in fact helped objectify the irrational hatred that is at its core.
Anti-Semitism received its mystical element when the Church Fathers transformed historical theory into theology. St. Paul believed in the imminence of the Kingdom of God which would be the end of history and reverse the injustice done to the Jews. To him, God's reentering history was delayed only until the God-forces in this world had finally defeated the Devil-forces. Yet the world did not end, and in the wake of Rome's crushing victory over Judea in the Roman-Jewish War, the idea of the Kingdom of God was postponed indefinitely. Instead, the Universal Church took over God's place in the world, and the Devil's role was assigned to those who rejected Jesus and have since been blamed for his the Jews.
The rise of Christianity established anti-Semitism politically; it finally gained a broad, popular basis during the Crusades, eventually leading to international prosecutions. Ghettoes were established as a consequence of the Reformation.
Carmichael describes the waning of theology's influence during the 18th century, which only caused the concepts of "Jew" and "Jewish" to become abstract and ultimately being equated with Pure Evil; the development of the concept of race in the 19th century, which turned anti-Semitism from a theological notion into a biological one, as exemplified most radically and horribly by Hitler; and Communism's contribution to the perseverance of anti-Semitism.
In an epilogue Carmichael distinguishes mystical anti-Semitism from the Arab opposition to the State of Israel, and examines what the future has in store for the Jews.
210 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Joel Carmichael
48 books5 followersJoel Carmichael (December 31, 1915 – January 27, 2006) was an American historian, magazine editor, and translator.
Born Joel Lipsky on December 31, 1915 in New York City, Carmichael was the youngest son of Charlotte Schacht and Louis Lipsky, a founder of the American Zionist movement. His oldest brother, David (1907–1996) became a publicist; his middle brother, Eleazar (1911–1993), was a lawyer, novelist, journalist, playwright and active Zionist.
Following graduation from high school, he was sent for a year to Palestine. There he began learning Arabic before returning to New York and attending Columbia University. In England, a chance meeting with an Oxford don turned him to read Greek and Russian at Oxford.
His first book, a translation of a memoir of the Russian Revolution, helped Carmichael land a contract with Oxford University Press. From there, he wrote numerous titles on early Christianity, Arab history and Russian history, and translated Anna Karenina for a new paperback edition. One book, The Death of Jesus, was translated into eight languages. Carmichael was also editor of Midstream, a Zionist magazine, for 24 years, serving from 1975–1988 and 1990-2001.
Born Joel Lipsky on December 31, 1915 in New York City, Carmichael was the youngest son of Charlotte Schacht and Louis Lipsky, a founder of the American Zionist movement. His oldest brother, David (1907–1996) became a publicist; his middle brother, Eleazar (1911–1993), was a lawyer, novelist, journalist, playwright and active Zionist.
Following graduation from high school, he was sent for a year to Palestine. There he began learning Arabic before returning to New York and attending Columbia University. In England, a chance meeting with an Oxford don turned him to read Greek and Russian at Oxford.
His first book, a translation of a memoir of the Russian Revolution, helped Carmichael land a contract with Oxford University Press. From there, he wrote numerous titles on early Christianity, Arab history and Russian history, and translated Anna Karenina for a new paperback edition. One book, The Death of Jesus, was translated into eight languages. Carmichael was also editor of Midstream, a Zionist magazine, for 24 years, serving from 1975–1988 and 1990-2001.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 31, 2017
A great book that traces the roots and the growth of anti-semitism against Jews from pre-New Testament days.
The Romans seemed to have tolerated them the most in ancient times, until the revolts against Roman rule finally caused the empire to subjugate them. The Jews of the Diaspora were also mentioned to threaten Roman routes to the east, hampering their troops' movements when the Romans warred against the Persian empire.
Christianity, too, gets blame for using the Jews' religion and misunderstanding to engage in anti-semitism. Martin Luther, being rebuffed after reaching out to Jews, and expecting them to support him, set out a path of anti-semitism and decrying Jews - the rumors and results of which survived to modern times.
"The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" are another method that anti-semites have used to slur Jews, and the author mentions how various governments (Germany and the Soviet Union) used them as pretexts for pogroms and passing rules specifically targeting Jews.
If you're a fan of history or religions, then this is definitely a book to read.
The Romans seemed to have tolerated them the most in ancient times, until the revolts against Roman rule finally caused the empire to subjugate them. The Jews of the Diaspora were also mentioned to threaten Roman routes to the east, hampering their troops' movements when the Romans warred against the Persian empire.
Christianity, too, gets blame for using the Jews' religion and misunderstanding to engage in anti-semitism. Martin Luther, being rebuffed after reaching out to Jews, and expecting them to support him, set out a path of anti-semitism and decrying Jews - the rumors and results of which survived to modern times.
"The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" are another method that anti-semites have used to slur Jews, and the author mentions how various governments (Germany and the Soviet Union) used them as pretexts for pogroms and passing rules specifically targeting Jews.
If you're a fan of history or religions, then this is definitely a book to read.
November 30, 2014
A passionate review of the historical evidence of the Christian roots of anti-Semitism. Clearly traced from passages in the New Testament, especially the Gospel of John, comes the idea of Jewish deicide and the idea of the Jews as the spawn of the Devil. A depressing but necessary book for anyone who wants to understand the roots of the Holocaust.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews