Always great lectures. I came across anti-semitism and was puzzled quite early. Had at an early working age, had many Jewish acquaintances via work and always the personal relations were quite important for me. Looking back, I really cherish my friendships. It has been always a puzzle why anti-semitism existed.
You are always right on target concerning Jewish history and I love it when the truth about Jewish history is told. Thank you for especially telling us your people 's history in a magnificent manner.
Thank you, Dr. Abramson, for an excellent explanation of the "blood libel". Although I've heard of this many times over the years, I've always dismissed it as being a crazy story. In fact, it was so crazy I assumed that only a small minority of the medieval European population would ever have believed that the stories were true. I also see more clearly now that the source of this hatred is in the hater, and does not actually stem from any actual or perceived act, whether in the past or in the present. This explains why the goons marching in Charlotte could chant, "The Jews will not replace us," even though, as a tiny minority of the US population, it is totally inconceivable that the Jews could "replace" anybody. The marchers were simply blaming someone for whatever problems or difficulties they may have today. And if the small Jewish population were not around, they would find the Chinese, the Hispanics, the Hindus, the Blacks, or someone else to blame and be the focus of their hatred.
Thank you so much for this dignified lecture. As a “nominal” Catholic who no longer practices as I am disgusted by the hypocrisy of the Church as a man-run institution, I am revolted and infuriated every time I am reminded of this truly hateful bigotry. May I please apologise in some small way for all the vile deeds perpetrated against the Jewish people over centuries. Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺💙 🇮🇱
Obviously antisemitism is evil and contrary to the faith. I am getting baptized into the Catholic faith soon the church does not condone being antisemitic. I myself am part Ashkenazi (Great grandparent so I'm not Jewish by law). I just don't think the evil actions of ignorant medival peasants in Europe mean that Catholicism is wrong or evil.
St Pope John Paul the 2nd apologized for the evils committed agianst the Jewish people. But if you dont believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church or practice the faith what authority do you have to apologize on behalf of the Church?
"As a "nominal" Catholic who no longer practices as I am disgusted by the hypocrisy of the Church as a man run institution" that's a direct quote from what you just wrote. I believed that was related to your apology if it wasn't I have no idea why you would even bring it up.
@emmcee662 America is a Protestant country and there is still lots of Anti Catholic bigotry here. Examples a Priest could get spit on, I've heard during Catholic vs Protestant games Protestant's throw fish at Catholics mocking them. Statues of the saints and our Lord get broken because they believe we are "idol worshipers". Bigotry doesn't specifically come from the Catholic Church it comes from the human heart. People think I'm right and better then they are so I can treat the other with contempt. Jews have had it really rough and it's your job as a human to stand up for people that are being abused or mistreated. But you could be a bigot to any group of people and you denouncing the church as somebody who isn't even a believer is just contradictory to this imo and could ironically promote anti Catholic bigotry.
Thanks Doctor !! I learned somethings l didn’t know about the accusations leveled around the blood libel . We once vacationed in a hotel run by a Jewish family in the Dolomites Italy. I noticed that we are in the area called Trento . I mentioned to the chevra ,that as far as I know there is a cherem not sleep over in Trent. This is exactly for the reason the Doctor mentions . It was here that the ecclesiastic leaders gave this craziness legitimacy for the first time. It wasn’t just the small community that was part of Austria at the time that were tortured and killed. The Jews of the most important Jewish community at that time of Regensburg were implemented. This was one of the causes that led to Churban Regensburg and the end of Germany being the heartbeat of Ashkenazi Jews. From hence forward Poland becomes the center, and German jews will start importing Rabbis from Poland.
But we must know the history. "Distressing" as it is. For only in safe, comfortable times can so many opt out. As history has shown, that is when the fringe ideas gradually become normalized. Thanks for sharing this.
When I was 19 yo in Grenoble I wanted to go inside a shop to try a dress. My friend told me not to go because it was a jewish shop and that they were probably involved in the traffic of white women. I did not question her comment but got scared and moved on. Why this idea was circulating ? and why I did believe it?
The idea of transubstantiation may have something to do with the blood libel. Wine being transformed into blood in the celebration of the Mass. And of course the illicit use of the consecrated wafer for some nefarious purpose as the lecture says. The whole transubstantiation notion is a bit hard to stomach but in any event if you eat and drink your God don't persecute people who don't!
Thank you professor Abramson! I also found Thomas Sowell's historical insights into the roots of modern anti-semitism to be compelling. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VkTHbJhvlLY.html Perhaps you have already addressed them in another part of this series. I will listen to the rest of your series.
