Why the World Hates the Jews: The Eternal Mystery of Anti-Semitism Explained Through the Torah

For thousands of years, malicious blood libels and slanders have been written against the Jewish people — in the writings of ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian historians.

Is there any other nation in history that has been vilified, accused, and persecuted so relentlessly, century after century, and under completely different pretexts each time?

Endless Hatred, Changing Excuses

Throughout history, the reasons for anti-Jewish hatred have changed dramatically:

• In the days of Mordechai, the Jews were hated because they refused to bow to Haman.

• Under the Greeks, because they resisted assimilation into pagan culture.

• Under Christian rule, because they supposedly “killed their messiah.”

• Under the Nazis, because they were deemed an “inferior race.”

• And today — because they returned to their ancestral homeland.

The excuses change, but the hatred remains the same.

When Jews were poor, they were despised for their poverty. When Jews became wealthy and successful, they were envied for their prosperity. When Jews were wandering exiles, they were called “parasitic outsiders.” When they reclaimed their land and sovereignty, they were condemned for their independence.

Thus, anti-Semites across the ages have used contradictory reasons for the same goal — to attack the Jewish people.

The Failure of Assimilation

In 19th-century Europe, many Jews believed that anti-Semitism would disappear if they simply became “a nation like all others,” adopting European culture and values. History proved the opposite.

Even assimilated Jews — who abandoned their faith and customs, were persecuted. During the Holocaust, entire nations of “enlightened” Europe delivered their Jewish neighbors into Nazi hands.

A famous example is Alfred Dreyfus, a fully assimilated Jewish officer in the French army, who in 1894 was falsely accused of espionage, publicly humiliated, and stripped of his rank.

The Dreyfus Affair inspired Theodor Herzl to conclude that the “Jewish problem” could never be solved through conversion or assimilation. He saw that anti-Semitism has no natural or rational cause.

As the sages said: “It is a law — Esau hates Jacob.” (Sifrei on Bereishit 33:4)

A Spiritual Root — and a Spiritual Solution

Because this hatred is not natural, its solution cannot be natural either.

God Himself declared: “I have separated you from the nations to be Mine. If you remain distinct, you are Mine; but if not, you are delivered into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and his allies.”
(Sifra on Vayikra 20:26)

The Torah teaches that anti-Semitism exists by divine decree, and its power to harm us depends entirely on our spiritual state. When the Jewish people are strong in Torah and faith, no nation can harm them.

Eternal Survival and Divine Protection

Despite centuries of hatred and persecution, God has kept His promise: No nation has ever succeeded in destroying the Jewish people.

For over 3,300 years, Israel has survived against all odds, while the greatest empires that oppressed us — Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union, have all vanished.

The Future: Recognition and Redemption

The prophets of Israel foretold that in the end of days, when the final redemption comes, all nations will recognize the truth of the Torah and the unique mission of the Jewish people. They will come to respect, love, and support the nation of Israel.

May it be God’s will that we strengthen ourselves in faith and unity — and may we soon merit to see the coming of Mashiach and the ultimate redemption.