What are the origins of anti-semitism?

[spacedonkey]

I have never understood where anti-semitism came from, although I'm dimly aware that it goes back many hundreds of years. Does anyone know anything about this, or can anyone recommend any books about it?

Since the fall of the Temple Jewish communities have been scattered all over the world, not having a country of their own they became outsiders. Much of Jewish ritual occurs within the home as well which makes them mysterious. A strong work ethic and family unit means that many Jewish families have become succesful attracting suspicion and jealousy. Orthodox jews also stand out because of their hair, dress, food laws etc , again anyone who stands out is prone to being treated with suspicion.

Anti Semitism was also given a boost by the beginnings of Christianity and in particular Matthew's Gospel which placed the blame for Jesus' death on the hands of the Jewish nation. Christianity wanted to separate itself from Judaism in order to appeal to Gentiles and perhaps escape persection and therefore fell into the trap of being anti semitic.

I can't think of any books of the top of my head, I studied the parting of the ways between Christianity and Judaism at University, my tutor was Professor Graham Stanton who has written much on this topic.

Thank you for that explanation Twinsetandpearls. I'll look up Graham Stanton on Amazon

just from a historical perspective, the Catholic church banned money lending (usury) - but of course people still needed to borrow money. Jews (being outside the mainstream church) were exempt from these rules and often became money lenders, and so became objects of hatred/envy, and stereotyped as greedy/money grabbing and all those nasty stereotypes which to some extent still persist. (As Jews were banned from many occupations and professionals by law in many European countries, usury was often their only way of making a living.) As outsiders, they were often popularly blamed for natural disasters/misfortunes (like the Black Death, or other outbreaks). Interesting parallel with asylum seekers today.

sorry, professions not professionals..

I find it extremely alarming that anti-semitic harrassment is on the increase in the UK. It seems strange to me that in modern times anti-semitism persists.

Now I'm really going to show my ignorance - my sincere apologies - but why was Hitler so anti-semitic?

I assume he was following in the tradition of others in using Jews as the scapegoat for the ills of society at that time.

Usury was/is lending money and then charging interest on it.

I'm sure I read somewhere that someone in Hitlers family was Jewish....I'm sure that I did, meaning it was in his bloodline so he wasn't exactly Arian (or whatever) himself.

because he was barking mad and paranoid? sorry if that sounds flippant but I think his personal views are not really subject to logical analysis. He blamed the Jews for losing the first world war and thought that the Jews were in conspiracy with the Communists to take over the world (this idea is remarkably persistent too - and still prevalent in the US). He used anti-semetic feeling as a useful tool to unite the German people and as spacedonkey says a useful scapegoat, and an excuse to undermine democracy.
a very interesting subject.

sorry yes usury is lending money with interest

Genesis 21v9 is the origin of anti-semetism as far as I can tell. The events in this chapter took place about 4000 years ago.

Any theories about why jews are being targeted for harrassment now? As you say buffy, asylum seekers have become demonised in a similar way, but still jewish cemeteries are being vandalised in the UK.

What I find hard to understand is how someone who was barking managed to unite almost a whole country in an anti-semitic frenzy. It's terrifying to think that so many people were persuaded by such an abhorrent, evil ideal.

My feelings are that anti-semitisim still exists in many guises. Firstly due to historical reasons as already mentioned, but also due to the Issues that still surround teh middle east now. Modern Anti-semetism stems from this in some ways. Personally I feel the way that the Israelis are treating the Palestinians is appaling and unfortuneatly that only serves to fuel anti-semitism (BTW I am jewish and have written my feelings about this before - anyone rememeber massive row about ant-semitism/rasism previously??)

If you look at Shakespeare for instance he ridicules jews a lot, and children still read this in school (Not saying they shouldn't) and I rememeber a lot of bullying I got was after reading about Shylock (and of course Fagin was supposed to be Jewish)

IMO Hitler knew that it's easier to unite a nation if you successfully identify an ethnic scapegoat. just as the tory party were attempting to do at the last election. jews have always been outsiders in most societies, as below, so an obvious choice.

feeling slightly nervous about the idea of a huge row now...
IMO one of the reasons anti-semitism persists is partly the legacy of fear of outsiders (lots of examples of this in human history, e.g. witchcraft) but also the fact that the Jewish community is perceived as being so successful in business. So therefore a powerful combination (for weak and stupid people I should say) of fear and envy.

Here was a previous classic on Anti semitism
auschwitz

And here Israel

OK, I'll check out those threads, thanks crunchie. I have no wish to start a row. I am genuinely interested.

SD It is not about having a row, since you were asking a totally different questions about the origins of it. However I thought you might be interested in those threads as quite obviously there is a lot of strong feelings here on MN

I have just been reading Simon garfield's book, Hidden Lives, and I was shocked by the mount of anti Semitism in it from British people. I had no idea of the depth of it in this country, I presumed it was mainly a Nazi led belief.