The Jewish Religion: Its Influence Today by Elizabeth Dilling - Research Paper Example

 The Jewish Religion: Its Influence Today by Elizabeth Dilling The book, The Jewish Religion: Its Influence Today was written by Elizabeth Dilling. She is a widely known critic of Judaism before the First World War until her death in 1967 at the age of 72 years. In this book, Dilling has selected her materials with utmost care. Her major source of reference is the Soncino Talmud that was produced by the finest Judaism scholars. The Rodkinson Talmund was a monumental work that was endorsed by Rabbi Wise who is a founder of Reform Judaism. I have come to note that Judaism puts emphasis on actions as opposed to beliefs, and the books relating to Judaism do the same. To that effect, the Dilling presents a Christian’s evaluation of the Talmund as it interprets the teachings of the Bible. The major strength of the book is the utilization of a wide range of reference materials. The book comprises of hundreds of photocopied references as well as exhibits of the King James Bible, Soncino Babylonian, periodicals, State Department papers, rabbinical writings, and encyclopedia. Dilling, a fine writer and scholar clearly examines the Jewish religion and history and evaluates its impact on the current world. Another strength of the book is that each of the fourteen chapters is preceded by a forward along with an introduction. This makes is easier for the reader to know what the whole chapter talks about. A codification of the Torah or the Five Books of Moses culminated into a combination of code and commentary that is commonly known as the Talmund. Dilling takes the readers through an erudite tour of the history of the Jewish people and their religion. From the book, The Jewish Religion: Its Influence Today, I have learned from the book that the Dilling used the Talmud to rebuke the actions of the Soviets during the World War I. Dilling (1983) shares the view that all the branches of socialism originated from Marxism, and was developed by Karl Marx. I came to note that Marx was himself of rabbinical descent and streamlimed the Talmudism for the consumption by the Gentiles. Dilling writes (1983, p.43) the object of the Talmudic Judaism is not the Gentile non-Jews, but also Christ (Tlamund, Kethuboth 111a). The Soncino Talmud denotes the Gentiles as Cuthean. The Talmud portrays extreme hatred towards the non-Jews, especially the Gentiles. From an ethical point of view, hatred is a recipe for conflict. As a modern Rabbi, I share a similar opinion with Shahak (1994, p.1) who shares the evidence that the heritage of Jewish fanaticism, particularly in the domain of the Jewish attitudes in the direction of the Gentiles is a major hindrance to the development of the secular and enlightened Jewish civilization. Shahak adds that religion in its classic as well as Talmudic form is poisonous to the hearts and minds. In the same way, Rabbinic Judaism supplies everyone with a symbol of power and immediate response. In the Talmund, Bammidber raba c 21 posits that every Jew that spills the blood of the non-Jews is actually doing the same as making a sacrifice to God. I can affirm that the Talmund to this day circulates the blood of the Jewish religion. Whichever customs, laws and ceremonies the people observe, the Talmund needs to be followed since it is the common law. As a modern Rabbi, the book informs me that socialism is the soul of Judaism. In the same way, we need to embrace diversity. There is much more that I have learned from Dilling’s densely authored book, and so will many more readers. This is because Dilling critiques the pernicious practices and attitudes against the non-Jews as it is enshrined in the Rabbinical law and Talmudic law. Considering that the book was authored during the times of war, Elizabeth goes ahead and condemns the various unsavory internal together with external historical practises towards the Jewish communities. Furthermore, within the Jewish Communities themselves, the all-powerful rabbinical courts kept the Jewish law and order. The court gave out punitive measures for those who violated the halacha laws. I have learned that the one of the major pillars of the Jewish ideolofy is exclusivism. Exclusivism has set Jews apart whenever they have settled. Exclusivism spreads through all of Jewish life from birth to burial by its legal structure and a host of customs. Currently, exclusivism is less common. However, as a modern Rabbi I need to understand that exclusivism is actively supporting contemptuous behavior towards the non-Jews in every facet of social life. Chapter 14 ends with an across-the-board review of the Jewish religion, ending with conclusions that have considerable impact on the contemporary society. The author projects a trouble-free world. Dilling writes, “Everyone living a happy and trouble-free world.” (2005, p.91). After critiquing the book, as a modern Rabbi I have come to note that the modern Judaism is a complex phenomenon which includes both the religion and country, as well as often combining the strict adherence to the ritual laws with a more liberal attitude in the direction of religious belief. It also cements the major religious belief that there is only one God in Judaism. The study of the Talmud is a key element of the Yeshiva particularly those training to be Rabbis. Besides that, as a modern Rabbi the after reading Elizabeth’s text the Talmud would aid me in providing the historical and cultural context to the writings of the Apostles and the Gospel. However, one weakness of the book is that it does not provide a correlation between the Talmud, Jewish chauvinism, and Anti-Semitism and offer recommendations in case of negative impacts on the society. References Dilling, Elizabeth. (1983). The Jewish Religion: Its Influence Today, Chicago: Elizabeth Dilling Foundation. Shahak, I. (1994). Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of Three Thousand Years. London: Pluto Press. Read More