Why the Jews: The Reason for Antisemitism
By (Author) Dennis Prager
By (author) Joseph Telushkin
Simon & Schuster
Touchstone
10th September 2003
10th April 2025
Reissue
United States
General
Non Fiction
Social discrimination and social justice
Ethnic studies
Racism and racial discrimination / Anti-racism
305.8924
Paperback
304
Width 140mm, Height 213mm, Spine 18mm
279g
Why have Jews been the object of the most enduring and universal hatred in history Why is the Jewish state the most hated country in the world today Drawing on extensive historical research, Prager and Telushkin reveal how Judaism's distinctive conceptions of God, Law, and Peoplehood, have rendered the Jews, and now the Jewish state as well, to other people's God, laws, or national allegiances. Anti-Semitism is not just another ethnic or racial prejudice, and it is not caused, as so many people falsely believe, by Jewish economic success or the need for scapegoats. Rather, anti-Semitism today, as in the past, is a reaction to Judaism and its distinctive values. Separate chapters document how anti-Semitism is a unique hatred (no other prejudice has been as universal, deep, or permanent), and how the Chosen People idea has spawned hatred. The role of non-Jewish Jews such as Marx and the M.I.T. professor, Noam Chomsky, in provoking anti-Jewish animosity as well is examined and explained. WHY THE JEWS also provides an authoritative overview of the seven major forms of anti-Semitism the Jewish people have suffered: pagan, Christian, Muslim, Enlightenment, Leftist, Nazi and anti-Zionist anti-Semitism. Prager and Telushkin explain why anti-Semitism poses a mortal danger to moral non-Jews, and what kind of changes would have to happen to produce a world without hatred of the Jews.
"The wisest, most original and provocative book on the subject I have ever read." -- Harold Kushner
Dennis Prager, one of America's most respected thinkers, is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and syndicated columnist. He has written four books, including the #1 bestseller Happiness Is a Serious Problem. He has lectured on all seven continents and may be contacted through his website, DennisPrager.com.