April 1, 2007 

Dear Friend,

       "The World hates the Jews. The world has always and will continue to do so." So says David Mamet in a new book, The Wicked Son: Anti-Semitism, Self Hatred, and the Jews. I haven't read his book. I am citing a review by Richard John Neuhaus, editor of First Things. I have had my reasons why I think he is right, and I have advanced them on the Born to Win program before. At its roots, the hatred of the Jews is really the hatred of God.

       Jay Freeman, writing in Book List, "If one can cut through the fog and tolerate his generalizations, it is evident that Mamet is on to something, particularly in his views on the apparent increase in Jewish disdain for and rejection of their own culture. Mamet ties Jewish self hatred to anti Semitism, asserting that the victims eventually wonder if they somehow 'deserve' the opprobrium heaped on them. So called 'emancipated' Jews may try to cleanse themselves of racial taint by disparaging 'Jewish' traits. Of course, Mamet finds the worst manifestations of this self hatred in those Jews who seem to delight in attacking the very existence of Israel" (Jay Freeman, copyright © American Library Association, All rights reserved).

       I wonder if he is right. Is it really a disdain for and a rejection of their own culture, among those Jews who are nonobservant, or is it something else? Various reviewers focused on the perceived self-hatred of the Jews, but I wonder. Why on earth would self-hatred lead a Jew to attack the very existence of Israel?

       I think I understand what is going on there. But it is not self-hatred. It is simply because the very existence of the State of Israel is hard evidence of the existence of God, a God who has made Israel a chosen people and who promised he would take them back there again. They don't want to go there, and they certainly don't want to answer to that God.

       John Neuhaus, in his review of Mamet's book, wrote: "A sense of being chosen, of being a peculiar people, is racially ingrained. This is the peculiarity that makes the world hate Jews." When I read that, I recalled a line from Fiddler on the Roof by Tevye: "I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?"

       Neuhaus continues: "Meanwhile, the 98 percent of the population that is not Jewish knows Jews mainly through the Old Testament, the State of Israel, and, more vaguely, through Hollywood and leftist politics. They believe the children of Israel are, somehow and despite everything, God's chosen People, and they overwhelmingly support their rightful place in the Holy Land." But among the strongest voices denouncing Israel's right to the Holy Land are some intellectual, nonreligious Jews.

       Frankly, the world's obsession with the Jews and with Israel is fascinating and demands an explanation. I offer this explanation in a presentation titled, The Jews in the Last Days. You can listen to this program right now, by clicking here. We provide this service FREE, but we welcome any contribution you can give to help.

Helping to keep you informed,

Ronald L. Dart

PS. Have a blessed Passover season!