Orthodoxy and Anti-Semitism?

[KATHXOYMENOC]

On some blog or forum, a person wrote how they left Orthodoxy (I think they were a convert from Protestantism) and became Catholic because of the large-scale anti-Semitism in Orthodoxy, whereas the Catholic Church has issued official decrees renouncing its past anti-Jewish actions and acknowledging the Jews' special place in God's plan, etc.

I wanted to email Fr. James Bernstein re: his thoughts on this [he helped Moishe Rosen start "Jews for Jesus" but then left Protestantism to become an Orthodox priest (Antiochian) and he presently serves at St. Paul in Lynnwood, WA http://www.stpaul-orthodox.org/index.cgi ] - but the church does not show how to contact them or him by email. Fr. Bernstein has written a few popular pamphlets on Orthodoxy which you've probably read: http://www.stpaul-orthodox.org/inde...path=/content/info/orthodoxy/our_publications

My family is Jewish, as was my upbringing, and as my father said when we discussed the fact that we were now attending an Orthodox Church:

"My parents (i.e., my grandparents) left Russia because of the Orthodox Church!"

So ... any thoughts on this?

 

[Michael G]

My only thoughts on this are that a German Jew could say the same thing about German Lutherans or Catholics. Unfortunately Europe has historically suffered from a very large ammount of anti-semitism and it was not just contained in Germany or Russia. Thus if you want to call the Orthodox Church anti-semitic just because some Russian people are anti-semitic, you must also call the Catholic, Lutheran and other protestant churches the same.

 

[Matrona]

There are Orthodox who are anti-semitic. The Orthodox Church is not anti-semitic.

Judaism is not a true religion (and Roman Catholicism is dead wrong for saying it is) but that does not excuse or promote the persecution and genocide inflicted on Jewish people (either Jewish by ethnicity or religious conviction).

Just ask Archbishop Damaskinos, who forged baptismal certificates to keep Greek Jews from being deported to concentration camps, and the Athonite monasteries who sheltered them (including women and girls). Russia is rather notorious for anti-semitism, but this has nothing to do with Orthodoxy being the predominant religion of Russia.

 

[eoe]

IF I remember correctly, Fr. Jacob Myers at St. John the Wonderworker in Atlanta is also a Jewish Convert.

I have not seen anything anti-semitic but I have only been around for a year and I am not a jew. I imagine that somewhere there is a population of Orthodox people that are potentially anti-semitic but that could be true with any large group.

 

[KATHXOYMENOC]

(see below)

 

[Prawnik]

Actually, in my life and travels in Russia, I have found anti-Semitism to be overrated. Many Russians are xenophobic, but at the same time accepting of Russified people, whatever their ancestry. Including Russian Jews.

I've found a lot more antisemitism in Poland and Ukraine than I ever saw in Russia. YMMV.

 

[Petronius]

The Jews (sephards) left literarilly Spain because of the Catholic Church under the Catholic Kings (los reyes catolicos), who finnished the Reconquista.
It is true that the word progrom comes from Russian. It is however not accepatble and not historically or legally witnessed that the Orthodox Church was or is anti-semitic. There may have been individuals belonging somehow to the Orthodox Church(yes most of the perpretators of progms, in Russia, for example, were Orthodox, because they were batized orthodox and attended Orthodox churches) or even clerics, but there was no programmatic anti-semitism.
If your ancestors claim that they left Russia because of the Orthodox Church, then ask why other Jewish, not coming from Russia left their initial homelands ?
Do not forget however that originators of the Jewish diaspora are the Romans in the 1st century.
The anti-semitism was evident in the European history, this is a historic fact and was perpretated by different persons or local organizations. Never atained the form of a State Programe during the Nazi regime in Germany and the Horthy regime in Hungary.
Last but not least: the Sionistic movement for refoundation of a Jewish state in Palestine was triggered by the Dreyfuss Affair in the then very democratic France of the last deceny of the 19th century.
J'accuse !

So we witnessed now that the Christian world ended up with antisemitism present throught Middle Age up to the half of the 20th century, while there was no anti-semtism in the muslim world (till the sionistic movement began active) we witness now strong anti-semitism in the muslim world...

 

[KATHXOYMENOC]

My only thoughts on this are that a German Jew could say the same thing about German Lutherans or Catholics. Unfortunately Europe has historically suffered from a very large ammount of anti-semitism and it was not just contained in Germany or Russia. Thus if you want to call the Orthodox Church anti-semitic just because some Russian people are anti-semitic, you must also call the Catholic, Lutheran and other protestant churches the same.

Agreed. You can probably add some Texas Baptists and just about any Christian group to the list (including Catholics, regardless of the pronouncements from the Vatican). My question was along the lines of whether or not there is anything that's officially part of the warp and woof of Orthodoxy that makes the church anti-Semitic. I know that there are those who will say that Christianity by definition is anti-Semitic (to which one could retort: Judaism is by definition anti-Christian), which really gets us nowhere. And because (other than perhaps some verses in Romans 9-11) I view the NT as portraying the church as being the New Israel, I reject the charges of those who say that such a "replacement theology" (as they refer to this belief) is "anti-Semitic," as I believe such a claim (i.e., that "replacement theology" is anti-Semitic or unbiblical) is based on a faulty and selective hermeneutic.

 

[eoe]

I view the NT as portraying the church as being the New Israel, I reject the charges of those who say that such a "replacement theology" (as they refer to this belief) is "anti-Semitic," as I believe such a claim (i.e., that "replacement theology" is anti-Semitic or unbiblical) is based on a faulty and selective hermeneutic.

I don't see a replacement - more of a grafting...

(Romans 11:17) And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and became a sharer of the root and the fatness of the olive tree with them,

(Romans 11:18) do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, it is not you that bears the root, but the root bears you.

(Romans 11:19) You will say then, The branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.

(Romans 11:20) Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear.

(Romans 11:21) For if God did not spare the natural branches, fear lest He also may not spare you either!

(Romans 11:22) Behold then the kindness, and the severity of God; on those having fallen, severity; but on you, kindness, if you continue in the kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

(Romans 11:23) And those also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.

anything that's officially part of the warp and woof of Orthodoxy that makes the church anti-Semitic.

Not that I have seen but I am a neophyte.

 

[Canadian75]

Does anyone have links or quotes from Orthodox scholars that discuss the 'antisemitic' quotes of some of the church fathers? St. John Chrysostom of course seems to be the most (mis-?)quoted church father with regards to antisemitism.

Peace.

 

[Shubunkin]

There must be a difference between not liking the religion versus not liking the person. I know some very nice people who are Jewish, and just because I disagree with their religion, doesn't mean I have to not like them, or be friends with them as long as religion isn't an issue? Isn't the word "anti-semitism" meant to be a much stronger meaning than this?

 

[Orthocat]

I have read where there is a monastery in the southwest desert that has been accused of teaching anti-semitic things.
I don't know where this stems from. I have never read any writings that would allow this type of thought.

 

[irishseventysix]

Agreed. You can probably add some Texas Baptists and just about any Christian group to the list (including Catholics, regardless of the pronouncements from the Vatican). My question was along the lines of whether or not there is anything that's officially part of the warp and woof of Orthodoxy that makes the church anti-Semitic. I know that there are those who will say that Christianity by definition is anti-Semitic (to which one could retort: Judaism is by definition anti-Christian), which really gets us nowhere. And because (other than perhaps some verses in Romans 9-11) I view the NT as portraying the church as being the New Israel, I reject the charges of those who say that such a "replacement theology" (as they refer to this belief) is "anti-Semitic," as I believe such a claim (i.e., that "replacement theology" is anti-Semitic or unbiblical) is based on a faulty and selective hermeneutic.

If there were, boy would the three converts from Judaism that are part of my parish be surprised!

 

[OnTheWay]

There isn't a country in Europe that hasn't expelled Jews at one point or another. It actually began with Edward the first (also known as Edward the longshanks of Braveheart fame) in England.

Pointing out Russia is quite unfair, especially when one considers that radical ethnic nationalist movements are growing into electoral parties all over western Europe. While it may not be top of the agenda anymore, anti-Semitism is still quite a factor in such groups. From my experiences there is as much xenophobia in the country side of southern Germany as there is in Russia.

The Orthodox Church is not anti-Semitic, that doesn't mean that people within it can't have flawed views. As far as the Russians/FSU immigrants I've met in the west, they've all been quite friendly. We have an Ethopian couple that attend our parish, a number of Arabic families, FSU immigrants, and Americans. It isn't an issue. I can honestly say that many of the protestant churches I've attended wouldn't be able to say the same.

 

[OnTheWay]

There must be a difference between not liking the religion versus not liking the person. I know some very nice people who are Jewish, and just because I disagree with their religion, doesn't mean I have to not like them, or be friends with them as long as religion isn't an issue? Isn't the word "anti-semitism" meant to be a much stronger meaning than this?

That is also a factor, the modern relativist automatically assumes that if you don't accept relativism you're a hate monger.

 

[MariaRegina]

There must be a difference between not liking the religion versus not liking the person. I know some very nice people who are Jewish, and just because I disagree with their religion, doesn't mean I have to not like them, or be friends with them as long as religion isn't an issue? Isn't the word "anti-semitism" meant to be a much stronger meaning than this?

The truth needs to be proclaimed. Anti-semitism is a political word used to inflict harm on others.

The original word anti-semitism comes from the German which meant those who are against anyone of Semitic origin (the sons of Abraham: Ismael and Israel). Later on, the word was politicized so that it only referred to those who were against the Zionist movement, Jews or the religion of Judaism.

Therefore, this word is a loaded political word and is subject to change as the political elite prescribe its meaning.

And yes, words are prescribed by the publishers of dictionaries.

Linguistics, on the other hand, prefer to describe the history and usage of a word.

So, today, you have Orthodox Jews who are anti-Zionist (check google) and who are accused of being anti-Semitic because they are against the modern man-made state of Israel, which they feel will only delay the Coming of Christ.

Catholics and Orthodox are accused of being anti-Semitic by Messianic Jews (MJ) simply because we view the New Israel as being the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. On the other hand, the MJs refer to the New Israel as the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth.

Catholics and Orthodox believe that the New Jerusalem will be Heaven, but the Messianic Jews believe that the New Jerusalem will be the rebuilt earthly capital where Christ will reign.

Since Catholics and Orthodox see no need to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem because God no longer desires burnt offerings but a pure heart, many Evangelical Protestants and MJs view us as anti-zionists and therefore anti-Semitic.

So, you can see that the term anti-Semitic has been manipulated from its original German meaning and turned into a hateful word that is used against both Catholics and Orthodox.

Therefore, the very definitions of our faith are viewed as anti-Semitic, which is due to their ignorance and/or contempt of our sacred theology.

However, I am a completed Jew by my Baptism and Holy Chrismation into the Orthodox Church. Christ is Jewish, after all.
And haven't we put on Christ?



Finally,

Discrimination and labeling should have no place in Christian Forums.

The word anti-semitic is used to label, stereotype, control, and hurt others.

We are all Children of God.

We are called to love each other.

Christ calls us to love even our enemies and those who hate us.

 

[MariaRegina]

References:

The word antisemitic (antisemitisch in German) was probably first used in 1860 by the Jewish scholar Moritz Steinschneider in the phrase "antisemitic prejudices" (German: "antisemitische Vorurteile"). Steinschneider used this phrase to characterize Ernest Renan's ideas about how "Semitic races" were inferior to "Aryan races." These pseudo-scientific theories concerning race, civilization, and "progress" had become quite widespread in Europe in the second half of the 19th century, especially as Prussian nationalistic historian Heinrich von Treitschke did much to promote this form of racism. In Treitschke's writings Semitic was practically synonymous with Jewish, in contrast to its usage by Renan and others.

Orthodox Jews have been falsely labeled as anti-Semitic:

Originally Posted by www.nkusa.org
Annual Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement
at Duke University, North Carolina
October 15 - 17, 2004

Anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews participated in the Annual Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement, which took place October 15th-17th at Duke University. As part of a multifaceted effort, the group attended to show solidarity and support for the suffering Palestinian people and to clearly state the Torah’s opposition to Zionism.

Concurrently, on Sunday, a delegation of Orthodox Rabbis counter-protested a demonstration by Pro-Zionists. These Rabbis worked on setting the record straight - opposition to Zionism does not make one Anti-Semitic, a commonly publicized claim by Pro-Zionists. Their intention is to educate the public about a well known fact within traditional Jewish circles, that Judaism and Zionism are actually completely contradictory concepts. Additionally, they rebuffed the ongoing attempts by the Pro-Zionist movement to stifle the voice of the Palestinian Conference and dispel the misnomer that Jews and Arabs cannot coexist.

 

[The Virginian]

The truth needs to be proclaimed. Anti-semitism is a political word used to inflict harm on others.

The original word anti-semitism comes from the German which meant those who are against anyone of Semitic origin (the sons of Abraham: Ismael and Israel). Later on, the word was politicized so that it only referred to those who were against the Zionist movement, Jews or the religion of Judaism.

Therefore, this word is a loaded political word and is subject to change as the political elite prescribe its meaning...



Since Catholics and Orthodox see no need to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem because God no longer desires burnt offerings but a pure heart, many Evangelical Protestants and MJs view us as anti-zionists and therefore anti-Semitic.

So, you can see that the term anti-Semitic has been manipulated from its original German meaning and turned into a hateful word that is used against both Catholics and Orthodox.

Therefore, the very definitions of our faith are viewed as anti-Semitic, which is due to their ignorance and/or contempt of our sacred theology.

However, I am a completed Jew by my Baptism and Holy Chrismation into the Orthodox Church. Christ is Jewish, after all.
And haven't we put on Christ?....

There was a beer commercial some years ago, where the actor took a sip of the beer and let out a whoop, "Now that's what I'm talking about."

Well, "yeah, that's the answer I would give".

 

[OnTheWay]

The website of one of the more "popular" anti-Zionist Jewish groups:
http://www.jewsnotzionists.org/

 

[Orthosdoxa]

Just ask Archbishop Damaskinos, who forged baptismal certificates to keep Greek Jews from being deported to concentration camps,

Or Metropolitan Chrysostomos, who was ordered to hand over a list of all the Jews he knew of so that they could be given to the Nazis. He refused. The demands got stronger. He finally wrote something down on a piece of paper, threw it at the guy, and screamed, "Here's your Jew!" On the paper was his own name.

(there's a display about this story right in the Holocaust museum in DC, or at least there was in 2002.)

LK