L’antisémitisme et le mystère d’Israël – Anti-Semitism and the Mystery of Israel, by Franz J. Leenhardt. Published by Impr. La Concorde Lausanne – A Rare Publication Against the Persecution of Jews by a Christian Author on the Eve of World War II, Lausanne, 1939 – First Edition. French. Rare.
An important publication in defense of the Jewish people by a Christian author shortly before the outbreak of World War II. The author systematically refutes anti-Semitic arguments based on culture, nationality, and economics, which were prevalent at the time against the Jews. He argues that the religious basis for anti-Jewish sentiment, stemming from the Jews’ rejection of the Christian message, also lacks justification, stating that humans should not fight the Creator’s battles.
The author writes that the world must understand, in the context of the Jewish people, that
“this people shall endure forever, despite their situation never improving. There is no precedent in history for a people surviving under the conditions imposed on Israel since the destruction of Jerusalem. It is also unprecedented that the character of a people persists under such conditions and for so long, especially when facing constant hostility.” He explains that the “Jewish problem” is more complex than both anti-Semites and their opponents believe. The author suggests that the world should recognize the “mystery of Israel” and, rather than meddle with the fate of the Jewish people through the ages, it would be better not to interfere at all. Let nations live by their own values and leave the Jewish people a place to exist in their way without trying to interpret the secret of their existence or justify their own by hating them.
32 pages. Very good condition.
