Judaism vs Communism: Real Connection or Hyped-Up Propaganda - Essay Example

Judaism and Communism: Real connection or hyped up propaganda? The Jewish religion and cultural have been in existence since the historical biblical times. During the period of time between the creation of the Jewish religion and World War II there was a great deal of animosity and outward violence towards Jewish populations. Although this tension culminated during World War II, this was neither the beginning, nor the end for individuals of Jewish descent. The cause for this animosity had multiple reasons, but one main belief was that Jewish populations believed in communism due to their religious teachings. If Central European leaders were correct in their assumption regarding Judaism’s connection to Communism, there should also not be the assumption that Jewish individuals are money hungry and will do everything in their power to store money. Following World War I, there were members of the German government who were Jewish. These individuals in part assisted in the post war reparations that were due. Already unhappy with the way that the war turned out, many military leaders in Germany as well as political leaders were unsure why these “Jews” were involved at all. Following the treaty, it was soon realized by Germany that because they were the aggressors, the repayment was steep to include no military and monetary reimbursement to Great Britain and France. Many Jewish members of society in Central Europe during this time were business owners and led middle class lives. For instance, the family in the movie Sunshine (1999) owns a tonic company that during that time places them in an upper socioeconomic class. Central Europe during this time was mostly Christian who did not believe in circumcising their male babies. The Jewish religion however, was adamant that young infants be circumcised prior to entering schools.1 Without this the church did not consider a male to be of the Jewish faith. With this knowledge many political figures have used this knowledge to undermine the Judaism and also to tell a Gentile man from a “Goy”. This cultural attribute was extremely useful when separating Jewish citizens from non-Jewish citizen for Ghettos and concentration camps. In many instances police officers required men to drop their pants to check if this was in fact someone of Jewish heritage or not.2 For this reason some parents and guardians refused to circumcise their male infants. Even though this surgery is required by the synagogue, many religious leaders understood specifically during World War II, the necessity for maintaining completeness, however a line was drawn when it came to Jewish boys becoming men. The procedure was required prior to advancement to adulthood. Another element of Judaism that many used against them was their culture. The Jewish religion does not celebrate Christmas but instead Hanukkah which is vastly different than that of Orthodox Catholics and Christians. In addition, the Judaic religion does not subscribe to the New Testament nor do they believe that Jesus was reincarnated during Easter. This division in religion placed Jewish citizens at a disadvantage in predominantly Christian communities. This further isolated Jewish individuals from their communities in Central Europe. Some Hungarians believed that they lived open, truthful lives, while Jewish citizens lived a closed, secretive life that was the negation of everything right in the world.3 Even Adolf Hitler thought that the Jewish faith was a “strange religion” that not only separated them from many in Central Europe, but in Hitler’s opinion caused those of Jewish faith to not be a “German of a strange religion”, but to not even be German.4 This belief that different was bad extended though most of Central Europe prior to World War II. In addition to having a strange religion, those of Jewish heritage ate Kosher and only ate certain things on Fridays. There were many reasons why Central Europeans believed that those of the Jewish faith should not be trusted. With the Soviet Union being a neighbor, the threat of communism was an ever present threat to the future of communities. Communism is described as a form of government that everything is shared with the community. The leader is all powerful in the sense that he has the authority to take away people’s possessions to give to others in need. This form of government is highly feared by many as a way for people not to have to work while still maintaining a nice life. Pure communism does not work as it requires everyone in the community or country to give up all earthly possessions including property that can therefore be split between everyone, rather they earned it or not. Since most individuals are attached to the things they worked for or bought, it is a hard sell to take everything away. Due to the fact that those of the Jewish faith had money, educated their children, and usually gave money to their synagogue as well as to extended family, many non-Jewish individuals believed that it was the goal of the Jewish citizens to create a communist community or country. This belief became even more apparent when the Germans started to gather those of the Jewish faith into Ghettos and found large amounts of gold and silver in the personal belongings. The items that Germans found were usually family heirlooms and not something that was going to be used to redistribute wealth beyond their immediate family. This saving of money and resources was practical; many believed it was another sign of communist behavior from the Jewish population. There is no evidence that Judaism wanted to create a communist utopia any more than Hitler wanted to associate himself with anyone from the Jewish religion. Adolf Hitler was so outraged by everything that the Jewish people did on a daily basis that he felt compelled to write Mein Kampf which was treated as a bible by many looking for a way out of their current predicament.5 Every community looks for the black sheep, for the scapegoat, and for Hitler it was not at a community level but at a central European level. His belief structures addressed undercurrents that already existed but for fear of reprisal or lack of initiative were not discussed. Hitler gave his people and people from all over the Central European region a group of people to blame for all of the ills troubling them, and blame they did. Millions of individuals suffered due to their culture, but because they had done something wrong, but to others such as Hitler they were born wrong. Each country in Central Europe reacted to their Judaic populations differently; however all of the countries that were occupied by Germany were required to treat their Jewish citizens the same way, by training them to Ghettos or Concentration Camps or killing them outright in towns. While stories have been disseminated regarding countries and citizens taking it into their own hands to save Jewish relatives and friends, many times, citizens turned their heads away from what was occurring, in fact sometimes the minute the Jewish family was gone, the other nationalities moved into their homes, and businesses. Even after World War II was over, life did not return to normal for many Judaic individuals. Their businesses, homes, money, and lives were taken by the Germans, and then they were being told that they had a new “homeland” in another area of the world. Returning home, bought about feelings, and also meant going into areas that had been full of life prior to the war. Now these places were empty with only the lines on the floor showing where furniture had been.6 Due to the destruction of their home and home countries, many Jewish citizens moved to other European countries that did not participate in rounding up citizens. If the choice was to move out of Europe due to emotions regarding the war, the United States as well as Jerusalem became new homesteads for large communities looking for a new home. The belief that Judaic citizens were communists or wanted to bring communism into their countries was a propagandistic attempt by political leaders that for any of the above reasons to discredit fellow political members, or possible influential business leaders. Their motivations were not altruistic by any means even if that is what they told community members. With power comes responsibility for those who live in your region or area of influence. World War II saw what the malignant side of power is, and many people were forced to leave their homes, and families for the agenda of one man. Although nice, Jerusalem has become another hot spot for anti-Semitic thought and actions. Some of this may stem from the political move by Great Britain following the end of the war, or it could come from long held beliefs on how Jewish citizens are and how they act. Either way, it is unfortunate that groups of citizens are not allowed to leave peacefully in this day and age, after everything that should have been learned from World War II. Read More