Chinese people hold many of the classically anti-Semitic beliefs about Jews and their influence in the world but view Jews positively in light of those beliefs, according to a recent article in Tablet magazine. Books claiming to reveal Jewish techniques for making money are reportedly very popular. One wealthy Chinese business tycoon who recently expressed his desire to enter American media even claimed that he could be successful because he is “very good at working with Jews.”
The belief that Jews are especially wealthy and powerful has sparked tremendous interest among the Chinese to learn more about the Jews, albeit from historically dubious sources. While the attention has mostly been positive, some within the Jewish community have expressed concern that without proper education regarding Jewish history, Chinese interest in the Jews could turn anti-Semitic.
(Aliza Levine – YWN)
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6 Responses
Remember it is the secular Jews they admire. The ones who gave up Torah to get rich. Not us.
I distinctly remember a piece on the Koreans being enamored by the Talmud. The article stated that they were even buying sets for themselves in order to learn what makes the Jews so successful.
When I took chemistry lab, my lab instructor was a Chinese grad student. Apparently the only, or at least one of the only Jews that the Chines heard about was Albert Einstein. He asked me about my hat, and I told him that I was Jewish. To which he said in his accent, “You must be very smart, like Albert Einstein.” And he meant it.
My take on the above two comments is that the Chinese don’t understand the source of where Jewish brain power comes from, so they don’t know to admire the Talmud. On the other hand, the Koreans understand and admire our Heritage.
akuperma,
Must you always look to drive a wedge?
MDG: The wedge was driven long ago. The movement to “reform” Judaism, and to give up Torah in order to get rich began over two centuries ago.
akuperma,
The riches that you speak of are what, in many cases, preserve some Jews’ right to even practice Torah. Moreover, many great Jews throughout history have used their riches to save Jewish lives and better the lives of Jews in need. What box do you place those Jews in? I am no learned scholar of the Torah or Talmud, but from the little I do know, I find it sadly ironic that someone who reveres the Torah as much as you presumably do could be so judgmental. It seems hypocritical to me. I like what MDG wrote, because division is weakness’s greatest ally.