answersLogoWhite

0

This is a difficult question to answer, additionally this is a very sensitive topic for many individuals. So here is the best way that can be described in brief.

The Holocaust

It is first important to address the so-called elephant in the room. The Final Solution was responsible for the mass genocide of approximately 6 million Jews. When any group of individuals has that many deathes and attrocities commited against them, they tend to feel persecuted. While it is true that the Jews were not the only target of the Nazis it is also true by far that the Jews were the ones who had it the worst. When either an ethnic or religious group has a single administration responsible for 6 million murders commited against them, they tend to feel persecuted.

Historically

For many years whether fair or not, Jews were often believed to be Christ-Killers, which throughout Christian Europe caused them to be ostracized. As part of this ostracization Jews were often (usually unfairly) blamed for a great many things. In many communities during the Black Death, Jews were often blamed for poisoning the water supply and causing the plague. This was of course untrue as the Plague was a disease transmitted by Rodents, but this did not stop people from executing or exiling Jews. They felt that if they Jews were gone then the Plague would end. Additionally in Europe Jews also were often blamed for things they could have no control over like Flooding or Famine.

Prior to the Middle Ages there was something known as the Babylonian Captivity. When the Nation of Judah (the Jewish Homeland) was piecemeal exiled to Babylon. Prior to that there was also the Enslavement by Egypt. This lack of agency can often lead one to believe that they are being persecuted.

The Crusades

During the Crusades the Crusaders did not only target Muslims, but infact also targeted any non-Christian along the way. This caused the Crusaders to commit attrocities against the Jews. Additionally the Crusaders were determined to take Jerusalem for the Christians without realizing that it is also one of Judaism's Holiest Sites as well. Losing one of your Holiest Sites could contribute to a feeling of persecution.

Recent Developments

Currently many of the Islam-Dominated Nations of the Middle East cannot stand the existence of Israel, and as such there are daily bombings by groups such as Hamas and Hezbolla against Israel. And in many cases people cannot differentiate between Israel (a Nation State that is predominately Jewish) and Jews (Followers of Judaism), as such these actions and vitrole are transmitted against all Jews. The sense that an entire area of the world wishes to see you dead may contribute to a feeling of persecution.

Conclusion

While there is no one reason, there are many things throughout the History of Judaism and current events that can lead one to think that as a people they are being persecuted.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?