Is it reasonable for every Jew to detest every German because of the Holocaust? Should every American hate every Japanese because of Pearl Harbor? How about 9/11 – should we abhor every Muslim?
It all sounds ridiculous and I hope the answers all will be a resounding NO! Then why, I must ask, is it okay to hate every Jew?
Should college campuses be filled with so much hostility that Jewish students are afraid to attend class? Should the elderly be reluctant to walk in the street in broad daylight for fear of being attacked? Should Jews avoid attending a holiday ritual like lighting the menorah in a public space?
I am not suggesting that some may disagree with the politics and policies of the Israeli nation, but condemning all of the members of a religion, made up of individuals that live in diverse nations is narrow-minded and ignorant.
You hate me because I am a Jew, but you don’t know me. You call me names and want me obliterated.
Yet, I might be the one that lets your car into traffic when no one else would. How about in line at the market? I might be the one that let you step ahead because you had less items.
Am I a bad person, mean, unreasonable, nasty? Do you hate me because my Sabbath is on Saturday instead of Sunday?
I can’t think of a reasonable reason to loathe the members of an entire religion with such ferocity that it is necessary to protest in the streets and attack random Jews and let this become a political issue. It appears that many of those screaming in the streets on behalf of Palestine have no knowledge of the region, the politics, or even the contributions of those for whom they have an inexplicable abomination.
Jew hatred is out of control. Detesting someone you do not know, for reasons you cannot rationally explain is ignorant. And you may end up attacking the very person who might otherwise come to your aid in an unforeseen emergency.
Your Jewish neighbors have no control over the politics or policies half a world away so to inflict pain on strangers for reasons you cannot reasonably justify makes you look like a fool.
A Jew might be the best neighbor or friend or the one to rescue you in a time of need. A Jew you do not know may be the person who donated to a charity that helped you or a loved one. A Jewish child may grow up to invent a medicine that would cure your otherwise incurable ailment.
The thing I hate is ignorance. You don’t like me because I am a Jew, but you don’t know me.
