The Mystery of the Jews: Exposing the truth to the World

By Alan Hayden

A relatively small group of people by the world's standard, yet Jews have created an enormous contribution of products and services for the benefit of all mankind, that in many cases have exceeded the accomplishment of many of the larger countries. Yet, notwithstanding their tremendous accomplishments, and their emphasis on peace among all natio

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Vine Press
• Release date: Dec 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781956896503

Book preview

DEDICATION

This Book is dedicated to my grandchildren, Sabrina and Hudson. As they continue to grow in their spirit, may they both help to promote the elimination of ignorance, bigotry, prejudice, and hatefulness towards all Jewish people, and mankind in general. May their legacy result in a better, more loving and compassionate attitude towards all Jews, as the Jewish people continue to make their great contributions to the world.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter One: The Roots of Anti-Semitism

Chapter Two: The Nomadic and Ubiquitous Jew

Chapter Three: A History of Oppression up to the Reformation

Chapter Four: The Jews – The Reformation and Beyond

Chapter Five: So Who Are the Jews, Really?

Chapter Six: Jewish Sacred Scriptures and Celebrations

Chapter Seven: Middle Eastern Peoples

Chapter Eight: Jews and the Islamic Connection

Chapter Nine: Zionism (1895 – 1948)

Chapter Ten: Jewish Experiences during World War Ii

Chapter Eleven: 70 Years of Wars, Intifadas and Terrorism

Chapter Twelve: The World’s Greatest Land Dispute

Chapter Thirteen: Small Numbers – Mighty in Accomplishments

Chapter Fourteen: Enemies of the Jewish State

Exhibit A: Terrorist Groups Identified

Exhibit B: Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights

Glossary of Some Jewish Terms

Other Books by the Author

INTRODUCTION

If I am not a Jew, then why did I write this book? After all, I am a Gentile or what the Jews refer to as a goy, or non-Jew. This is a fair question that I am eager to answer in a number of ways. First, I have for many years held a fascination with Jewish people in general, even more so since traveling extensively through Israel and the Levante area countries that surround this tiny nation. I have had the privilege of working with Jewish business people in many transactions over the years, which has provided me with an appreciation for their tough, but ethical and adroit business skills. I have also gained from my passion for Jewish history the hatred, persecutions, pogroms, the numerous exiles of large masses of Jews, to say nothing of wholesale slaughter of mythical proportions leading up to the Holocaust of World War II. In visiting Polish death camps, I have seen the gas chambers where millions of Jewish men, women, and children, along with Slavs, Gypsies, and homosexuals were exterminated like animals by the Third Reich. All of these events and experiences have developed within me a deep appreciation for the fact that by any normal reckoning the Jewish people should have been eliminated long ago, except for one very important fact – they are God’s chosen people! As a Christian that to me is sacrosanct!

Another equally solid reason for writing this book is to bridge the gap of ignorance that many people have, including many Christians, with reference to Judaism in general. Many people I have spoken to over the years know little about the Jews other than what they have read in newspapers, the Old Testament of the Bible, or have been taught in Sunday school bible classes. Unfortunately, this type of knowledge provides a limited and narrow view of the Jewish faith, which can, and has, led to many myths and forms of stereotyping of Jews that is inconsistent with reality. It has also led to a great deal of misunderstanding that has shaken the corridors of power around the world, and still does to this day. I also believe that as a non-Jew I am able to bring a level of objectivity to this project that I believe is more balanced than if it was written by a Jewish author who might show certain bias or omission of material negative to the Jews.

By the time you have read this book, I believe you will have a deeper, much richer 20/20 visional understanding of Judaism, which will not only reinforce and enhance your faith as a Christian, but will also reach a wider audience in providing a better, more realistic assessment of the Jews. You will also be amazed at the tremendous accomplishments the Jews have achieved, which have improved the lives of millions of people all around the world!

There are more than seven billion people living on our planet, representing more than 200 countries, and participating in approximately 4,000 religions. Of these religions, you will encounter more than two billion who call themselves Christian, 1.6 billion who follow Islam, some 850 million who practice Hinduism, and about 500 million who adhere to the Buddhist faith. These figures represent more than 70% of the total world population, almost three in four people. The remainder practice many other religions, or they practice no religion at all.

The people of one religion, however, with a world-wide population of only about 15 million, which, putting matters into perspective, represent about one-fifth of one-percent of the world population, stand alone as the most hated, persecuted, and reviled people the world has ever known. Ironically, most people today don’t even understand why the hatred of the Jewish people is so strong, and pandemic in scope. To many people it is an issue that defies rational explanation. You may not be aware, for instance, that Judeophobia (an ancient Greek term), or anti-Semitism, a more modern term, against Jewish people, has been around since before Christ came to earth, and it is blatantly practiced today against the Jews inside the body of the United Nations (193 representative countries), the European Union (28 nation members), the Arab League (22 nation members), and throughout recorded history, even the world-wide Catholic Church, and Protestants over the last 500 years.

Surprisingly to some, many Christian churches participate in BDS (the Boycott, Divestiture and Sanctions movement), that classifies the State of Israel as an Apartheid state and encourages large businesses to avoid doing business with Israel. Other Christian churches practice Replacement Theology stating that the Christian Church has taken over from the Jews, and thus invalidates the Jews as the chosen people of God as clearly stated in the Bible. Many others state that modern Jews are not the original Jews of the Bible, and anti-Zionists are gaining considerable traction due to a misinterpretation of the Bible. These and other issues will be discussed at length in later chapters.

Meanwhile, one of the most militant enemies of the Jews is the radical wing of Islam, which teaches their children to hate Jews as soon as they are able to comprehend. And once again another great irony exists in that Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, is surrounded by militant Muslims sworn not to rest until every Jew has been annihilated, and the State of Israel wiped off the map. This is, and has been, the geo-political situation facing the Jews ever since they gained U.N. statehood in 1948. For a small nation of less than seven million people, of which more than two million are Arabs practicing Islam, one wonders how such a small country like Israel could survive against such overwhelming odds. Yet, not only does the State of Israel continue to exist, but also to prosper in ways that only God, through divine intervention could make possible. No matter how Gentile nations have persecuted, restricted, and suppressed the Jews over the centuries, they still survive. You don’t see weekly meetings in American cities today of Hittites, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites etc., but you will find Jewish meetings. Very interesting, yes? Samuel Clements (Mark Twain), once observed that, "All things are mortal except the Jew; all other forces pass away, but he remains."¹

Despite the fascinating history of the Jews, and the role they have played in so many great historical events, to say nothing of their great contributions to mankind, you will find that many Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Moslems, and many other religious adherents, are inadequately knowledgeable of such matters. Christians in particular, owe a great debt to Judaism in creating the foundation upon which the Christian faith stands. And whether the reader has read and understands the Bible or not, it is clear that the Jews will survive right through to the end of time according to God. So, whether you are Russian, Chinese, Arab, or reside in any country in the world, it behooves everyone to become more acquainted with Jews, because they play an integral part in world affairs, and will do so for a long time to come.

Much of the material for this book has been gathered from the Tanakh, Talmud, rabbinical writings, as well as other ancient writings that support the premise that God is, and always has been, in control of the fate of mankind. And that the Jews have been selected, from all the people groups of the world, to be God’s chosen people. Despite the fact that world leaders appear to pay little attention to this fact does in no way abrogate the reality that it is true. Otherwise, how could we ever explain how a nation that was completely destroyed by her enemies, scattered to many parts of the world, and then some 1900 years later, reappear as a sovereign nation? That is what happened to the State of Israel as prophesied in the Bible, and it is the only time in all of history that this remarkable phenomenon has ever happened. This could only have happened through the divine intervention by God as you will later learn.

The Bible, the old Jewish testament as well as the new Christian testament, contains about 1,000 prophecies of future events that mankind should know about. So far, about 500 of these prophecies have already come true, and based on such a terrific proven record, we have every reason to believe that the rest will come true in the future. For instance, the Bible forecast thousands of years ago that the Jews would regain their country at a point certain in the future, and many people alive today were witnesses to this remarkable happening on May 14th, 1948. So, if the Bible is in error concerning Israel, then all the Christian churches, and all the Jewish synagogues might as well close their doors! On the other hand, if the Bible is true, and we have plenty of evidence to know that it is, then all the nations of the world ought to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this belief by accepting the State of Israel as a true partner in the family of nations instead of trying to fight her.

In the meantime, the Jews continue to create almost daily headlines as they take center stage in world events and continue to be the object of world-wide hatred. They are the oldest people alive yet they have created and developed one of the youngest, and most vibrant countries in the world. In attempting to explain this phenomenon, the only words that come to my mind is Winston Churchill’s famous quote, It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma! Only God has all the answers, but we mortals need to continue to inquire, ask questions, and do our best to get to the truth. That is the Jewish way. So, let’s go on a journey together as we search for the truth concerning the Mystery of the Jews.

¹ Quote September, 1897 – National Jewish Post – 6.6.1984

CHAPTER ONE

THE ROOTS OF ANTI-SEMITISM

Racial prejudice, anti-Semitism or hatred of anyone with different beliefs has no place in the human mind or heart – Billy Graham

The term anti-Semitic was first coined by a German writer named Wilhelm Marr in 1879 and was meant to be a slur against Jews. However, due to the fact that Arabs and other Middle Eastern peoples are also Semites, some current scholars prefer to use the word antisemitic. The more popular version, however, is to simply use the word anti-Semitic when referring to prejudice against Jewish people in general. Some people think that anti- Semitism began when Israel became a country in 1948, and others feel it began with the Zionist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The truth, however, is that hatred towards the Jews dates back prior to the time of Christ and goes deep into the B.C. era.

For reasons we will discuss later, the Jews have experienced somewhat of a nomadic experience as they have wondered all over the world, seeking refuge in Gentile nations after their country was destroyed by invading forces. Wherever the Jews settled they experienced prejudice from the nationals of their new adopted country. If prejudice towards Jews could be traced to one country in one particular time era, then it would be easy to account for the causes of the prejudice. Unfortunately, Jews have been the object of hatred among all the nations where they have moved to. Inasmuch as the Jewish enemies belonged to many races, lived far apart from each other, and were subject to different laws and opposite government opinions, it makes it rather remote that these many nations would judge alike on any one subject. Therefore, it might be fair to say that resentment, and the general cause of anti-Semitism towards the Jews, resided in the Jews themselves, and not in those who antagonized it. This does not mean for one instance, that justice was always on the side of Jewish persecutors, or that they did not indulge in extreme forms of hatred. It is simple to point out that Jews caused many of their own problems as you will later see.

As early as the days of ancient Egypt we find in the Book of Genesis 43:32, where it says: because Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. The Egyptians resented the Jewish nation within a nation with the exclusive rights that went with it, and soon they took revenge by deriding their religious customs, and their contempt for pork. At one time they paraded through the city, a Jewish fool named Carabas, draped with a papyrus diadem and royal gown, and they saluted him as King of the Jews. The high priest considered the Jews descendants of the Hykos usurpers whom they had branded as lepers before expelling them. It is quite apparent that anti-Semitism does not take place until Jews abandon their native land, then settle as immigrants in foreign countries and come into contact with older settlers whose customs, race and religion, are different than the Hebrews. This was the case in the Book of Esther where Haman conspired against the Jews and could well be the first recorded case of anti-Semitism.

WHY SO MUCH JEWISH HATRED?

So, of which virtues or vices earned the Jew this universal enmity? Why was he so hated and accosted by the Alexandrians, the Romans, the Persians, the Arabs, the Turks, and the Christian nations? The answer is that up to today, the Jew is viewed as an unsociable being. But why was he so unsociable? Because he was exclusive, which was both political and religious. He held fast to his political and religious cult and to his law. If we go all the way back to the Romans we find subjugated peoples bowing to Roman laws and Roman gods. But not the Jews. Spinoza, a Jew himself and father of the Enlightenment, once said: The laws revealed by God to Moses were nothing but laws for the special government of the Hebrews.¹

Each of the given laws, whether agrarian, civil, theological, or moral, came from the same authority so that all these laws formed a whole rigorous system from which nothing could be taken for fear that it would be a sacrilege. In reality, the Jew lived under the rule of a Lord, Yahweh, who could not be conquered. So, the Jew knew only the law, the collection of rules and decrees which Yahweh had once given to Moses. It was a law that was divine and excellent, and made to lead its followers to eternity. It was nothing less than a perfect law that only the Jews, who considered themselves God’s chosen people, alone had received.

DEFYING LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

With possession of the Torah, the Jew could not accept the laws of strange nations and could not think of submitting to them. He was not allowed to abandon the divine laws in order to follow human laws, which were imperfect, and subject to change and decay. Therefore, whenever colonies were founded by the Jews, no matter what land they were deported to, they insisted on permission to follow their own religion, and also to be exempt from local societal customs. They also reserved the privilege to govern themselves by their own religion, and to be exempt from local taxes. They also reserved the rights to govern themselves according to their own laws.

In most of the large cities of the Middle East: Rome: Alexandria, and Antioch, the Jews were allowed full freedom in many areas of their lives. They were not required to appear in court on a Saturday (their Sabbath); they held their own special tribunals and were not subject to many of the laws of the empire. They enjoyed complete self-government. Everywhere they wanted to be Jews, and everywhere they were granted the privilege of managing a state within a state.

By virtue of the many privileges and exemption from taxes extended to the Jewish people, the Jews soon rose above the general condition of the average citizen, which gave them better opportunities to trade and gain wealth, which created jealousy, outrage, and sometimes outright hatred. Therefore, the Jewish attachment to their own law became one of the first causes of their unpopularity and caused them to think they were above and beyond other people.

ROMAN ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE JEWS

At Rome the Jews enjoyed a powerful and wealthy colony as early as the first year of the Christian era, having arrived in the city about 139 B.C. They were an important factor in politics, and Caesar used their support during the civil wars and lavished favor on them. They were even granted exemption from military service. Great favor was continued under Augustus and Tiberius. In fact, all minority groups were allowed to practice their superstitions provided they were harmless. But when Rome perceived that a new faith was becoming subversive to the Roman spirit, she was pitiless. Rome guarded herself against the foreign spirit, and even barred Greek philosophers from entering the city. While Greeks, Egyptians, Germans, and Gaul’s brought with them their rites and rituals, they had no objection to bowing towards Mars of the Palatine, or even before Jupiter Latiaris. They conformed to the rules of the city, to its religious customs, and showed no opposition to the State. That was not the case with the Jews. They brought with them a religion that was just as intolerant as the Roman religion. Their worship of Yahweh excluded all other worship, and they shocked their fellow citizens by refusing to swear to the eagle, whereas the eagle was the deity of the legion. This was a worry to the Romans as the Jews were also eager to make proselytes. Philo (20 B.C. – 50 A.D.), was a great Jewish philosopher who once said: Our customs win over and convert the barbarians and the Hellenes, the continent and the isles, the Orient and the Occident, Europe and Asia, the whole world, from end to end.²

As a result, you will find that the ancient nations at their decline, were deeply attracted to Judaism, by its dogma of divine unity and by its morals. Many of the poor people were also attracted due to the special privileges extended to the Jews. The conversions were generally by persuasion, but sometimes by force as when rich Jews converted their slaves. It was this chief cause, coupled to their political influence, their privileged positions, and their wealth, that led to anti-Judaic demonstrations in Rome.

Emperor Tiberius, in the year 22, ordered a senatus-consult against Egyptian and Judaic superstitions, and 4,000 Jews were deported to Sardinia. Later, Caligula subjected the Jews to various persecutions. He robbed them of their privileges granted under Caesar, and took away their synagogues. Hoping to stop Jewish conversions, Domitian levied a special tax on Jews, and Antonius Pius stopped the Jews from circumcising anyone other than their sons. Anti-Judaism became pervasive in Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and wherever there were Jews there were great massacres. In some cities the Jews were to either renounce their faith or pay the entire city expenses.

PERSECUTION AGAINST CHRISTIANS

The premise of this chapter is to explore the roots that created hatred towards the Jews. However, one cannot speak of Jewish persecution in Rome without mentioning the terrible ordeal experienced by Christians.

For a long time, Jews and Christians were hostile brothers, and they were included in the same contempt. The same causes that made the Jews hateful made the Christians hateful as well. The discipline of the Christians brought into the ancient world the same deadly principles. While the Jews were telling people to leave their gods, to abandon husband, father, wife and child, and to come to Jehovah, we find Jesus saying: I have not come to unite but to separate. The Christians, like the Jews, refused to bow to the eagle. Like the Jews they would not pray before idols. And just like the Jews, the Christians knew another country other than Rome. Consequently, during the early years of the Christian era, the synagogue and the ancient church were equally despised. Each side tried not to be mistaken for the other, and once Christianity became more emboldened, it rejected the descendants of Abraham.

So, it is reasonable to say that Jewish commitment to its own law was the first cause of its unpopularity whether it was due to deriving benefits and advantages of its laws over the common people, or because they prided themselves over the excellence of their Torah, which considered itself above and beyond other people. Either way, the Jew created excitement and envy among the local folk, which often led to demonstrations and occasional violence. It is also understood that one thing that caused the Jews to be separate from other people was the growth of the Talmud, due to the rule of the doctors (rabbis) who taught a pretended tradition. This created a sullen Jew, unsociable and aloof, causing Spinoza to comment: It is not at all surprising that after being scattered for so many years they have preserved their identity without a government of their own, for, by their external rights, contrary to those of other nations, as well as the sign of circumcision, they have isolated themselves from all other nations, even to the extent of drawing upon themselves the hate of all mankind.³

THE STRANGLEHOLD OF RABBININCAL THINKING

The doctors took the position that knowledge and observance of their law created a system whereby one could not thoroughly observe it without denying allegiance to all but the true law. Thus, the Jew who followed these precepts, isolated himself from the rest of mankind. He found himself taking refuge behind the walls which had been erected around the Torah by Ezra and the first scribes, and later by the Pharisees, Talmudists, the successors of Ezra, reformers of primitive Mosaism or the prophets. He isolated himself not just by declining to accept local customs, which bound together the inhabitants of the country where the Jew resided, but the Jew also shunned all communication with the inhabitants themselves. He remained exclusive.

The doctors believed that the law, without Israel to put it into practice, meant that the world could not exist, and God would turn it back into nothing. They believed that the world would not know happiness until it was brought under the universal domination of that law. In other words, under the domination of the Jews. Consequently, they believed that they were chosen by God as the trustee of His will. They are the only people group in the world who have a direct covenant with God. This faith in their predestination, in their election, developed among the Jews a great pride. It caused them to view the Gentiles with contempt, often with hate, especially when patriotic considerations supervened to religious feelings.

When Jewish nationality was in peril, the Pharisees, under John Hyrcanus, declared impure the soil of strange people and tried to prevent all intercourse among Jews and Greeks. After the controversy between the Sadducees and the Pharisees had terminated in victory for the latter, these injunctions became part of the law, and they helped to further the exclusiveness of the Jew. The Jews also had another fear, and that was contamination, which created even more Jewish isolation from the world around them. The Pharisees held extreme views on contamination, and they were concerned about simple contact with strangers. This attitude created numerous rules affecting everyday life: rules for clothing, dwellings, nourishment, all of which were created with a view of protecting the Jews from contamination and sacrilege. It is true that all of these laws may have worked in an independent state or city, but they became an enormous challenge to enact when living in a foreign land.

To guard God’s people, and to keep them safe from evil influences, the doctors exalted their law above all things. They took the position that no study but that of the law was necessary, and a whole lifetime was insufficient to learn and penetrate all the subtleties of the law, and so they prohibited the study of profane sciences and foreign languages. Josephus once remarked: "Those among us who learn several languages are not held in esteem."⁴ Contempt apparently was insufficient in that many