Getting to the Bottom of the Problem

Antisemitism is a real problem. But the way to deal with it is to deal with the core of the issue.

The following is a summary of a letter written in 5732 where the Rebbe responds to an individual’s opinion on antisemitism:

The reason we suffer in Galus is because of ומפני חטאינו גלינו מארצנו. So we must first focus on the cause ומפני חטאינו, and only then can we think about taking care of everything else. 

The Rebbe then goes on to give a very tangible example to bring out this concept:

Imagine someone who jumped into scalding hot water. It would be senseless to provide the individual with an ointment for his burns or pills to cool his body temperature before removing him from the burning waters. The root cause is the hot water, so take him out!

First, we need to strengthen Yiddishkeit.

אגרות קודש חלק כ"ז אגרת י'תלא

The Alter Rebbe Knows What He’s Talking About!

When Mr. Zalmen Jaffe printed the English Tanya in England, he was unsure whether he should have an English translation of the end of Perek Alef, where the Alter Rebbe speaks about gentiles.

The following is a summary of the Rebbe’s response:

Since the Tanya has already been printed in many other languages, there would be no point in taking it out. Furthermore, one doesn't have to be a kabbalist to see that the Alter Rebbe was correct in his assessment, for all the nations of the world were witnesses to what was going on in Germany, and the countries it overran yet remained indifferent… Putting all this aside, If we are dealing with a goy who wants to keep his feelings to himself and not make trouble, he will not make an issue of it. If he is the kind of goy that wants to make trouble he can create issues without looking for them in books, as in the case of the Blood Libel, which you cite in your letter.

See the full letter here

The Two Groups of Antisemites

In a fascinating Purim Sicha from תשכ”ה, the Rebbe summarizes the entire issue of why an antisemite hates a Jew and what is a solution if he intends to do bad things to us.

The following is a summary of that Sicha:

There are two main reasons for antisemitism.

1) Our very existence disturbs them.
2) Our existence makes them feel an inner emptiness.
There is no cure for the first kind. The only way to feel good is to eradicate the Jews from the face of the earth, R"L. 
With the second kind, there are two possibilities. They begin to live a life of meaning and purpose or try to exterminate the Jews R"L to fill their inner void.

The Rebbe then goes on to explain what our only solution for this predicament is:

We as Yidden, cannot rely on our non-Jewish neighbors. אנו אין לנו להשען אלא על אבינו שבשמים: when we place our trust with the Aibishter, and follow the directives of the מרדכי of our דור, in how to behave with our בכל אשר תעשה, then we can be sure that ונהפוך הוא and it will be ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר. 

פורים תשכ"ה שיחה ד' (סעיפים כ-כט) | PDF | אודיו

The Rebbe's 7 Rules for Combating Antisemitism