Abe: They thought I was making a judgment — a negative one— about their lives and their parents’ lives, and about everyone else in our community. By embracing a radically new way of thinking and living, I was effectively saying the old way wasn’t as good — or at least not good enough for me and my family. People found that attitude snotty, haughty, and holier-than-thou. They still do. You might even say this tension is the root cause of anti-Semitism.
I’m just hanging out here to see more of your work.
I really appreciate your interest. Please let me know if you have any questions or thoughts.
I’m grateful to you for sharing your posts in this series. My understanding is increasing, thankfully, in these dire times.
Inserting the graphic data showing the spread in numbers of one non-college group’s antisemitic tendencies was a good idea. It made a punch!
Hmmm… I wonder if it’s that complicated. Here’s a simpler explanation:
(from my imagined interview with Abraham himself: https://outofbabel.substack.com/p/abraham-our-exclusive-interview-part )
Patrick: So people thought you were crazy…
Abe: Crazy AND a snob. An elitist.
Patrick: Why an elitist?
Abe: They thought I was making a judgment — a negative one— about their lives and their parents’ lives, and about everyone else in our community. By embracing a radically new way of thinking and living, I was effectively saying the old way wasn’t as good — or at least not good enough for me and my family. People found that attitude snotty, haughty, and holier-than-thou. They still do. You might even say this tension is the root cause of anti-Semitism.
P.S. Even well-educated people don’t like to be reminded that there’s a better path available — and they ain’t on it.
I think you’re oversimplifying too much. That’s an aspect of it but there’s much more.
I agree, Prager’s book was great: educational and appalling, but an important read.