About the new report from the ADL on global antisemitism

Dear Reb Avrohom,

I trust you are well.

I read with interest your report on global antisemitisim and your comments which seem to indicate you understand there is a disease, but lack an understanding of the cure.

Antisemitism is one of the oldest diseases to plague humanity and myself a Jew, Chabad Rabbi, have also wondered as to its cause.

Through Chassidus, the secret psychological reason behind warrantless hate, was revealed.

It is simple: jealousy.

Jealousy is what causes bullying, for those whose self-esteem was cruelly shattered, shatter others self-esteem – this is a well studied phenomena – what’s even more interesting is: what is the cause of jealousy? – again Chassidus explains, ego – the ego cannot handle that another has something one feels entitled to.

This is why having lived in South Africa for thirteen years, I noticed a very clear proof to this theory – the average black is both poor and not antisemitic, but put the same person into a position of power, he becomes an antisemite.

But does this suggest that all antisemites suffer from low self-esteem? the answer, once again fascinating and easily observable – low self-esteem combined with arrogance causes dissatisfaction, for you both feel down, as well as entitled to feel up; hence the jealousy, then rationalizations, be they blood-libel, protocols of the elders of zion, the myth that Jews stole your land etc. develop, for the mind justifies its bigotry, under the guise of altruism.

But concurrently, people like Henry Ford and many others (perhaps this explains the bizarre antisemitism of the left-wing media and many left-wing professors – as well as far right people) so success further can cause a person to become arrogant – and arrogance causes dissatisfaction – for as our sages state: no man dies with half his wishes fulfilled – now the humble person, not expecting for his wishes to be fulfilled, can handle this disappointment; the arrogant person, gets dissatisfied, for once again, there is a misalignment between his expectation and reality.

So what does this have to do with the Jews? – why do we somehow get chosen for hatred? – again, simple jealousy psychology – when a. is jealous of b., the primary form of jealousy, is of course not over possessions, for possessions are status symbols, but over tranquility – for there can be no happier state than the heart at peace with itself – hence antisemitism boils down to a simple equation – those who feel entitled, become jealous of those who are happy, when they are not; – this also succinctly explains why a new form of bigotry – namely anti-Americans has developed (see "The Israel Test" by George Gilders on this, as Americans generally have the soul-contentment of having good hearts.)

In summary, to beat antisemitism you cannot talk, explain etc. etc. – antisemitism is based on dissatisfaction with one’s own life – just like you cannot explain to a bully not to be a bully, for the only way to help the bully, is to love him more.

I have started a facebook group "Love Heals Hate" in which daily, we wish the people of another country, love.

If you want to be effective in combating antisemitism there is but a single thing to do, love-more – this can be, by encouraging people to actively do goodness and kindness!

I know this may sound simple, but only by understanding the psychology behind a phenomena, can you address and cure its roots.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Zevi Wineberg

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