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Raphael Shore's avatar

It's brought from the Oral Law. Rashi brings it in print in every Chumash (Torah). It comes from the Hebrew word itself, which can mean both 'armed' and 'one fifth'.

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Xan's avatar

Wonderful article.

I’ve noticed that when Jew haters find a Jew that is disparaging of Israel, and of other Jews, they suddenly respect and love that Jew and put them on a pedestal. Suddenly, every word that self-hating Jew says is the absolute truth.

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Raphael Shore's avatar

It's brought from the Oral Law. Rashi brings it in print in every Chumash (Torah). It comes from the Hebrew word itself, which can mean both 'armed' and 'one fifth'.

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Steve S's avatar

This essay hits the mark in many ways except for giving credit to the devil for infusing Jew hatred into the mind of those receptive to the false messaging of the evil one. The story of Job in the bible is the story of the Jew. While well meaning individuals attempt to explain to Job the reasons for his calamities and tragedies in life, we know the cause of Job's troubles is the devil. The bible tells us as much. Why does the devil torture Job? Because Job continues to worship and believe in Hashem, despite the devil's best efforts to cause Job to no longer believe. So the Jew befuddles the devil by continuing to believe in the same way as Job. In the end, Hashem restores Job and thwarts the devil. Reach your own conclusion.

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Steven Brizel's avatar

Superb article ! Only a proud educated and literate Jew is not afraid of anti Semitism

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

“Antisemitism serves as G-d’s tool to remind us of who we are.” Brilliant. Wonderful article.

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Debra Silver's avatar

Thank you... a very meaningful essay before the holiday...

shabbat shalom and Chag Herut sameach

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Te Reagan's avatar

For some reason the USA wants white Christians to feel shame. Demoralization.

My church teaches that we are the second branch, that we are to love the Jewish people as we love ourselves.

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Beatrice Nora Caflun's avatar

Wonderful essay, thank you so much......unfortunately, we can't take antisemitism lightly, we Jews, know better..... at least now, with the new government, there is some actions against antisemitism.......chag Pesach Sameach......

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sue's avatar

I looked up your reference to Exodus 12:38 and don’t see anything about only 20% of Jews leaving Egypt. Please enlighten me.

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Alison's avatar

Exodus 12:37 says there were about 600 000 men besides women and children, which would add up to at least 1.8 million people. 20%? I think not. Also, if 80% stayed behind, why would Pharaoh have pursued the rest? No, they all left Egypt - 100% of them.

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Ronda Wells MD's avatar

Interesting article with lots of good insights. Thanks.

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Mark Akst's avatar

Extremely insightful analysis of antisemitism. Learned something. Thank you for writing this.

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Alison's avatar

Yes, me too.

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