Brief Look at Jewish History
Essay by review • September 1, 2010 • Research Paper • 1,229 Words (5 Pages) • 1,891 Views
Brief Look at Jewish History
The Jews are a people with a multitude of dilemmas. From the
Israelite tribes to the prosperous modern day Israel , bigotry
towards the Jews has been greatly evident. The Jewish race has
acted as Escape Goat for many crisis throughout history including
the black plaque which swept across Europe in the 14th century.
The establishment of Israel was a great incident was something the
Jewish people were striving to obtain for generations. This,
however, led to four major conflicts between Israel and the Arab
countries. One of the most meaningful wars was the Six-Day War.
Events such as the holocaust have also had a dramatic effect on
world history and whose mysteries are still being unravelled.
For twelve years following 1933 the Jews were persecuted by
the Nazi's. Jewish businesses were boycotted and vandalized. By
1939,Jews were no longer citizens,could not attend public
schools,engage in practically any business or profession, own any
land, associate with any non-Jew or visit public places such as
parks and museums. The victories of the German armies in the early
years of World War II brought the majority of European Jewry under
the Nazis. The Jews were deprived of human rights. The Jewish
people were forced to live in Ghetto's which were separated from
the main city. Hitler's plan of genocide was carried out with
efficiency. The total number of Jews exterminated has been
calculated at around 5,750,000.
In Warsaw ,where approximately 400,000 Jews had once been
concentrated,was reduced to a population of 60,000. They, virtually
unarmed, resisted the German deportation order and had held back
the regular German troops equipped with flame throwers,armoured
cards, and tanks for nearly a month. This heroism was similar to
the revolt which took place around 165BC. This uprising was led by
the Maccabees, a provincial priestly family (also called
Hasmoneans). They recaptured the Temple and rededicated it to the
God of Israel. The Maccabees made there last ezd on a mountain
and was able to hold back the syrians for more then a month. There
is a distinct similarity between the two stories and that is
possibly why they are both recognised as holidays in the Jewish
faith.
These horrific events of the holocaust have let to some
consequences which are beneficial and some are unfortunate to the
Jewish people. The population of the followers has greatly
declined. Also the Jewish people after the war still had problems
finding jobs. They had to essentially start there life over. Most
of them lost a close relative or at least knew someone who died in
the gas chambers of the Nazi concentration camps. This has put a
psychological strain on Jewish survivors or no longer having family
and friends with them for support. This event has awaken the world
up to the needs of the Jewish people. It has given them political
power and a justification for some of their actions.
On May recognised,1945 ,the end of World War II was seen.
Organized Jewry in the European continent was damaged beyond
repair. The Jews concentrated on the preservation of Israel and on
the bringing of Nazi war criminals to trial.
There is a day of commemoration, Holocaust Day, observed in
Israel and elsewhere on Nisan (April) 19 and 20. The date is
considered the anniversary of the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto
Uprising.
The emergence of Israel as a Jewish state on the former
territory of Palestine was the central political issue of the
Middle East after World War II. A movement was established to work
on the reestablishment of the Jewish national state of Israel.
This movement was given the name Zionism. The Zionists were full
of energy,enthusiasm, and skill which led to remarkable
accomplishments. Israel was a modern European state in an
underdeveloped area. This was the source of there problems and
their achievements.
The Jews received vast amounts of financial and military
support from Western governments. The Israelis also benefitted
from a highly trained and motivated citizenry to create a unique
nation-state.
It had taken the Zionists seventy years to purchase 7 per cent
of Palestine. Now the UN was offering them another 50 per cent.
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