Antisemitism

Gain perspective on antisemitism, as illuminated by Torah and the Rebbe's Hadracha.

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We do not venture to say that we know what Torah or the Rebbe’s position is on this event or on any other event or subject. We are merely presenting various ideas that may have some bearing on what is taking place today.

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Topics Included

• The Yiddishe Boycott

• We are All Hashem's Creations

• You Deserve it, So Be Proud of It!

• Antisemitism is an Unfortunate Reality

• The Hatred is Still There

• Getting to the Bottom of the Problem

• The Alter Rebbe Knows What He’s Talking About!

• The Two Groups of Anti-Semites

• Most Politicians are Not Anti-Semites

• You Can Put On a Wig!

• The History of Antisemitism

• Our Miraculous Survival

• A Yid is Different!

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The Yiddishe Boycott

To boycott is a form of response that displays strength, and the symbolic and spiritual counterpart is as much if not more important.

An individual once asked the Rebbe what his stance should be regarding acquiring German-made products in light of Halacha and Minhag?

The Rebbe responded:

“Surely, this is more a matter of feeling rather than a question of Jewish law and custom. Consequently, as in all matters of sentiment, it is difficult to express an opinion that would have universal application. At any rate, it certainly cannot be categorized as a "weakness." On the contrary, a decision of this kind bespeaks strength of will, all the more so since it entails some inconvenience. Nor can it be considered an "impropriety" since it is based on a principle which may be considered to come under the category of "Remember what Amalek did unto you." … Moreover, I do not think that anyone seriously believes that the Germany of today is entirely different from the Germany of two decades ago.”

The Rebbe then continued, stressing the more critical issue at hand: just as there can be a physical “final solution” —the physical extermination of six million Jews h”yd— so too there can be its spiritual counterpart —mass assimilation— which we battle with today.

In the Rebbe’s words:

“Each and every one of us who is aware of the situation must do everything possible to counteract the tide of assimilation by positive and dedicated action, to strengthen the eternal Jewish values and Torah-true institutions in his community and environment.”

See the original letter here

We are All Hashem's Creations

In Cheshvan of 5751, a terrible antisemitic incident took place in front of the synagogue in Warsaw, Poland. After a short correspondence between Mr. Arkadiusz Rybicki, President of the Council for Polish-Jewish Relations Office and the Rebbe about the need for more protective measures to be taken for Polish Jewry, the Rebbe went on to explain an essential point:

“Our Sages of the Talmud explain why the creation of man differed from the creation of other living species and why, among other things, man was created as a single individual, unlike other living creatures created in pairs. One of the reasons – our Sages declare – is that it was G-d’s design that the human race, all humans everywhere and at all times, should know that each and all descend from the one and the same single progenitor, a fully developed human being created in the image of G‑d, so that no human being could claim superior ancestral origin; hence would also find it easier to cultivate a real feeling of kinship in all inter-human relationships.”

See the full letter here