PRAGER: The Pittsburgh Synagogue, Anti-Semitism and Trump
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
All my life I have reminded fellow Jews in America that we are the luckiest Jews to have ever lived in a non-Jewish country. I know what I’m talking about. I wrote a book on anti-Semitism, taught Jewish history at Brooklyn College and fought anti-Semitism since I was 21, when Israel sent me into the Soviet Union to smuggle in Jewish religious items and smuggle out Jewish names.
Even after the massacre of 11 Jews in a Pittsburgh synagogue, this assessment remains true.
But the greatest massacre of Jews in American history is a unique American tragedy.
It is a tragedy in part because America has finally made the list of countries in which Jews were murdered for being Jews. While this was probably inevitable, given that 330 million people live in America, it is painful — equally for me as an American and as a Jew.
And second, while there is no difference between the murder of Christians at a church and the murder of Jews in a synagogue with regard to the loss of life and the suffering of loved ones, there is something unique about the murder of Jews for being Jews: Anti-Semitism is exterminationist. Anti-semites don’t just want to persecute, enslave or expel Jews; they want to kill them all.
On Passover, Jews read the Haggadah, the ancient Jewish prayer book of the Passover Seder. In it are contained these words: “In every generation, they arise to annihilate us” — not “persecute” us; not “enslave” us; annihilate us.
So, when the murderer yelled, “All Jews must die,” he encapsulated the uniqueness of anti-Semitism.
There is another unique aspect to anti-Semitism: It destroys every society in which it grows. The animating force within Adolf Hitler was Jew-hatred. More than anything else — desire for German “Lebensraum,” hatred of Bolshevism, a view of Slavs as subhuman — it was anti-Semitism that invigorated him. Anti-Semitism was not a Nazi scapegoat; it was the Nazis’ raison d’etre.
The results of German anti-Semitism for Germans alone: more than 5 million dead, including half a million German civilians; 130,000 more civilians murdered by the Nazi regime; 12 million Germans expelled from East Europe, 2 million of whom died; innumerable rapes of German women; Germany divided in two for half a century — and the loss of a sense of self and reputation.
I have no idea if, outside the universities and the Israel-hating left, there has been an increase in anti-Semitism in America. I wish I could trust the Anti-Defamation League, other Jewish organizations and Jewish community newspapers. Sadly, only Jews on the left do, because most of these organizations have a left-wing, anti-Trump agenda.
Here’s a perfect example:
The mainstream left-wing media, along with left-wing Jewish organizations and media, told us every day for months after Trump’s election that anti-Semitism had greatly increased. They cited the great number of Jewish Community Centers that received bomb threats. It turned out, however, that about 90 percent of those threats were called in by a mentally disturbed American Jewish teenager living in Israel, and the other 10 percent were made by a black radical seeking to frame his ex-girlfriend. So, the claim eventually vanished from the news — with not one Jewish or non-Jewish organization or media outlet apologizing for crying anti-Semitic “fire” in a crowded theater.
The dishonest now have the Pittsburgh massacre to blame on Trump. But that’s as big a falsehood as blaming Trump for the bomb threats. In reality, the Pittsburgh murderer criticized Trump for his close connections to Jews and Israel.
For Jews to blame the most pro-Israel president since Harry Truman — the only president with a Jewish child and Jewish grandchildren, moreover — for increasing anti-Semitism is another example of a truism this Jew has known all his life: Unlike Jewish liberals, who get most of their values from Judaism, Jewish leftists are ethnically Jewish but get their values from leftism.
The biggest increase in anti-Semitism in the last 10 or so years has come from the left. Just ask young Jews who wear yarmulkes or are vocally pro-Israel on most American college campuses. And this generation’s threat of Jewish annihilation comes from Israel’s Iranian and Arab enemies.
As a Jew who attends synagogue every Shabbat, and as an advocate for the carrying of concealed weapons, I fervently pray we will not need armed guards at American synagogues. America’s uniqueness has been exemplified by the fact that Jews do not need armed guards in their synagogues.
May it always be so.
Even if you don’t love Jews — if you only love America — you need to fight anti-Semites. As the Jews go, so goes the fate of the nation in which they live.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in April 2018, is “The Rational Bible,” a commentary on the book of Exodus. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
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E.A While My Heart and Soul is in Full Empathy/Sympathy, what I need to remind myself and others, is that THAT has happened to Numerous Tribes that had a Far Lesser protection!
Heart Felt Sympathies to ALL Concerned Family Friends and Relatives, Lest WE Forget!
Based on his photo, he could be Mike Pence's older brother. There's no way he's ever been profiled as Jewish in his entire life. And why exactly is he critiquing and criticizing actual practicing Jews who do blame some of this antisemitism on Trumps hate-filled rhetoric? He's now a hard-line evangelical Christian pushing his own for profit religious opinion "University" which has as much accreditation as Trump University, that is to say, none.
"Jewish leftists are ethnically Jewish but get their values from leftism."
There are no "leftism" classes, not even at Prager University, that is a right wing invented generic term that essentially means "Everything conservative Christians hate".
Dennis Prager should stop pretending to be Jewish. Here is the actual statement from the ADL on the shooting:
ADL Statement on Synagogue Shooting in Pittsburgh
New York, NY, October 27, 2018 … ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt released the following statement in response to the horrific and fatal anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh today.
Furthermore, in their audit of antisemitic events, Trumps name is not mentioned anywhere.
Before Prager mouths off and smears the reputation of one of a fine organization like the ADL, he should do some homework.
Prager is a pimp for the ADF, one of his major sponsors.
As is the much maligned Ku Klux Klan!
Here's some information about David Duke, a true supporter of the rights of the poor persecuted European Americans, a Holocaust Denier, and former Grand Wizard of the KKK:
DAVID DUKE, KKK SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP
The most direct link would be that they both share the same vile extremist superstition since many members of both groups have been Southern Baptists (a sect literally founded to promote white supremacy), but there's probably a far more direct link between the FRC hate group and the KKK.....they even share the same mailing list thanks to Tony Perkins (also a Southern Baptist just like many of the ADF hate group's clients).
However the ADF does have direct links to a variety of white supremacist like Steve Sailer who also shares the ADF's hatred of LGBT folks. In fact the ADF was booted from Amazon's "Smile" program due to their anti-LGBT lobbying and they cited that white supremacist in their defense.
[Removed]
Why do some defame the ADL or the SPLC? Really it is no wonder...
Prove that. Here let me help:
In other words, they are not blaming Trump for what happened.
No the SPLC identifies and tracks hate groups. So, WRONGO!
Out of curiosity I just did an internet search for Abe Foxman, and the first three articles that came up were attacks on him posted by these websites 1. mondoweiss, 2. DavidDuke, 3. rense. What does that tell us?
That he fights antisemitism, which he did and does.
And probably in a manner a lot less politically biased than the present administrator.
Only on Opposite World or if you actually are a hate group...
Flat.
Out.
LIE.
Richard Spencer... Not a leftist.
David Duke...Not a leftist.
Chris Cantwell.....not a leftist.
Chants of, "blood and soil....The Jews will not replace us!!!"....not leftists.
White Nationalists.......not leftists.
Neo-Nazi's.....not leftists.
8% of our current congress....Jews...all of which are Democrats....they are leftists.
Why would Jews vote for Democrats if they are anti-Semite? But it gets better.... this article is saying that 71% of Jewish people are.....anti-Semite? LMAO!!!!
Some far far far right wing Jews and some wacko fundie small c christian types are guilty of abusing, demonizing and dehumanizes the real elected American Jewish political leadership, which is almost exclusively both liberal and Democratic, in ways and for reasons that would get anyone else labeled as antisemitic. When Trump and the gop spread false narratives (Like Jews being responsible for funding and organizing refugees from south of the border) that is not just untrue but a dangerous slander indicative of real antisemitism...
^^^^^^^^^^^ This.
So very true. Sad, but true.
I know it is true. The truth is inconvenient for propagandists...
Try pointing out the truth then expect to suffer the barbs, too.
If you get too close to the truth the recriminations begin to fly.
It will be interesting, and educational, if a reputable poll is taken to determine if there has been any change in the voting pattern of Jews indicated by this coming mid-term election.
Great article
Finally, the truth see's the light of day:
"Unlike Jewish liberals, who get most of their values from Judaism, Jewish leftists are ethnically Jewish but get their values from leftism."
Just in my personal experience the friends that I have that are Jewish and liberal don't get their values from leftism. Sadly idiots that can't see past the end of their nose make this ridiculous claim which begs the question, ''where do they get their values''...Perhaps they don't have any.
I kind of can't believe I'm seeing comments like this. I'm saddened, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. They remind me of all the times black conservatives have been told they aren't black enough or conservative women have been told they must hate women or themselves. Why? Because politics.
You don't have to agree with the guy, but insisting that someone agree with you based on their race, sex, or religion, is just so profoundly bigoted.
I was simply pointing out that Prager abandoned his faith in favor of a right wing Christian/Jewish evangelical hybrid where he often preaches against Jewish beliefs in favor of Christian interpretations, as well as attacking secularism.
"After he left graduate school, Prager abandoned Modern Orthodox Judaism"
"some people called him a Jewish Billy Graham "
"In 1990, he wrote an essay called "Judaism, Homosexuality and Civilization" that argued against normalizing homosexuality in the Jewish community"
"he argued that forcing men out of homosexuality and into marriage was a great achievement of ancient Jewish tradition that was worth fighting to retain"
"Prager had previously said that Trump was "unfit to be a presidential candidate, let alone president".
But then, like every evangelical sycophant, he changed his tune and said Republicans should support Trump because "There is no choice now".
"he also said that the "heterosexual AIDS" crisis was something "entirely manufactured by the Left".
His book "describes secular Jews as people who have lost their way, and who generally fall into the error of applying Judaism's mission to reform the world in ways that tend to be leftist, totalitarian, and destructive".
And it's that guy who has been welcomed into the right wing fold and is criticizing the ADL and excusing the Presidents heated rhetoric which spoke directly to these whackos in the party who carried out such violent acts. Just because he has a son in law who is Jewish and his daughter has converted doesn't mean his rhetoric isn't inspiring anti-Semites and violent nut-jobs mailing pipe bombs.
And after reading much of his hate speech towards the LGTBQ community one might wonder how he would react if this had been an attack on the LGTBQ community instead of a synagogue. I find it hard to imagine how someone could be supposedly so passionately against anti-Semitism but embrace anti-LGTBQ sentiments.
You can be a devoted Jew (or whatever) and have honest disagreements on any issue. It doesn't mean you've "abandoned your faith." If his ideas are wrong, then attack the ideas.
I don't. People have all sorts of different views on all sorts of topics for all sorts of reasons. I'm a Christian, and I generally support affirming LGBT people and the way they express it. I use the word "affirming" deliberately. In the church, there is a big difference between "welcoming" and "affirming." As you can imagine, I am vastly outnumbered in that view among Christians, but that doesn't mean I'm pretending to be a Christian or that I have abandoned my faith.
There is a very big difference between being a sycophant and supporting something because you think there is no choice.
E.A is that " Love the Person but NOT the Sins"?
Yeah that's the idea. I really think most people haven't thought about how impractical that is.
E.A Yes indeed like " Forgiving All " then what is Judgement, what is the Point of Trying to do what is right if " all " is acceptable!
If I may::
True and False Disciples
Matthew 7
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’