Why the Jews?

The Reason for Anti-Semitism, the Most Accurate Predictor of Human Evil

By: Dennis Prager, Joseph Telushkin

Narrated by: Traber Burns

In this seminal work that has spent more than 30 years in print, Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin explain the reasons behind anti-Semitism, the world's preoccupation with the Jews and Israel, and why now more than ever the world needs to confront anti-Jewish sentiment.

Why have Jews been the object of the most enduring and universal hatred in history? Why is the Jewish state the most hated country in the world today? Drawing on extensive historical research, Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin reveal how Judaism's distinctive conceptions of God, law, and peoplehood have rendered the Jews and the Jewish state outsiders and labeled them as threatening. But as Prager and Telushkin are quick to point out, anti-Semitism is not just another ethnic or racial prejudice and is not caused, as so many people falsely believe, by Jewish economic success or the need for scapegoats. Rather, anti-Semitism today, as in the past, is a reaction to Judaism and its distinctive values.

Prager and Telushkin examine in detail how anti-Semitism is a unique hatred - no other prejudice has been as universal, deep, or permanent - and how the concept of the "chosen people" spawned that hatred. They also explore the role of non-Jewish Jews, such as Karl Marx and Noam Chomsky, in provoking anti-Jewish animosity.

In Why the Jews?, Prager and Telushkin identify the seven major forms of anti-Semitism - pagan, Christian, Muslim, enlightenment, leftist, Nazi, and anti-Zionist - and explain why it is impossible in today's world to be an anti-Zionist without being an anti-Semite.

With an eye on the larger picture, Prager and Telushkin express why anti-Semitism threatens more than just Jews and what kind of changes are necessary to achieve a world without hatred.

©2016 Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

It answers the question!

We traveled to Israel 3 weeks ago and were impressed with the safety, serenity, and joy of the Jewish people, in spite of being surrounded by hostile countries and having their enemies live among them also. We walked through all the quarters of the Old City: Armenian, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish. The differences between them is stark. Where were we welcomed? Where did we feel safe? Only in the Jewish quarter. We came home with the nagging question, "Why are they so hated?" Finally moved to find out, we listened to this book. The research that went into it is evident. Names, places, dates, circumstances, and outcomes are laid out and easily understood. The narration is dry but does the job. This isn't a novel, after all.

Excellent account of antisemitism

Essential historical account of antisemitism's roots and why it persists across disparate cultures and peoples.

Required reading

This should be required reading in education systems. By reading different points of view a person can learn much.

Disturbing Truth

What an eye opener. How can humans be so cruel to other humans! Truth has no followers.

Excellent Historical Book

I loved this book. It really answered so many questions I’ve always had about the Jewish peoples and Israel. Both of the authors do an amazing job and hearing the history is enlightening and frightening. People need to read this book if you ever wondered why the Jewish people have been so persecuted and for so long.

Truth revealed

This book reveals a truth that can only be disputed by those who have already been corrupted by hate and anti-semitism. It’s well worth reading for its wisdom and eye opening incite.

Very informative, worth your time.

A friend told me one day that if you give a person ten minutes they can come up with a reason to discriminate against another. I found this book very informative. As a student of Ancient Religions in the Middle East, it gave me a better understanding of the Jews and the Hebrews. This is one of those books where I purchased the Kindle version for reference.

I never knew how deep it was!

The history revealed in this book struck me deeply. The fact that so many people in so many cultures believe so many things that are just not true -- more evidence to me that God is real and He has His people.

Honest accurate timely

It’s poignant analysis I read and reread and now use in my book club as we dissect the why now in American antisemitism and how did -10/7/2023 shattered our hopes and promises of never again.

Insightful information

I enjoyed the thorough history of Judaism and application to our day. I would like to have heard it read by Dennis Prager himself.