We need to talk about antisemitism. A lot. With Rabbi Diana Fersko

Martini Judaism

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A blood libel.

That was the first thing that went through my mind when I heard about the bombing of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which claimed the lives of between 200 and 300 people.

Palestinians, much of the Arab world, and various organizations immediately blamed Israel. There is now ample evidence, accepted by the United States, that the bombing was the result of a failed rocket that had been launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Here is the audio and transcript of the Hamas terrorists discussing it.

There are those who cannot and will not believe that this was not an Israeli hit, however tragic it was. They simply believe that the Jews, in the guise of the Jewish State, are evil and blood thirsty. They have inherited a very long, dark history. It is the oldest antisemitic myth in the world -- the blood libel --- the accusation that Jews would kidnap a Christian child, kill him, and use his bones for Passover matzah and his blood for Passover wine.

In Europe, especially, this savage and pervasive accusation dictated the choice of wine for the seder. While red wine was traditional and preferable, the blood libel prompted others to choose white wine. Just so that you could drink a wine that does not look like blood. Just to be safe.

Why did my mind go to "blood libel?"

Because we are talking about antisemitism. When it comes to antisemitism, this is what you need to know: every single false, bizarre, and hurtful accusation and belief about the Jews still exists: that the Jews are violent; that they control economies; that they are part of an international conspiracy; that they are Christ-killers; that they are misanthropes.

None of those beliefs have disappeared.

And, especially now, "the way we talk about Israel is the way we talk about Jews."

That is one of many startling and fresh insights that Rabbi Diana Fersko offers us in her new book, "We Need To Talk About Antisemitism."

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