PART
TWO
PRECEPTS OF THE TALMUD
CONCERNING CHRISTIANS
From what has been shown thus far, it is clear that, according
to the teaching of the Talmud, Christians are idolaters and hateful
to Jews. As a consequence, every Jew who wishes to please God
has a duty to observe all the precepts which were given to the
Fathers of their race when they lived in the Holy Land concerning
the idolatrous gentiles, both those who lived amongst them and
those in nearby countries.
A Jew is therefore required
to (1) To avoid Christians;
(2) To do all he can to exterminate
them.
CHAPTER I
CHRISTIANS MUST BE AVOIDED
Jews are required to avoid
all contact with Christians for four reasons: (1) Because
they are not worthy to share in the Jewish way of life; (2)
Because they are unclean; (3) Because they are idolators;
(4) Because they are murderers.
Article
I. Christians Must Be Avoided - Because They Are Unworthy to Share
Jewish Customs
A Jew, by the fact that
he belongs to the chosen people and is circumcized, possesses
so great a dignity that no one, not even an angel, can share
equality with him. In fact, he is considered almost the equal
of God. "He who strikes an Israelite" says Rabbi Chanina "acts
as if he slaps the face of God's Divine Majesty."
A Jew is always considered good, in spite of certain sins
which he may commit; nor can his sins contaminate him, any
more
than dirt contaminates the kernel in a nut, but only soils
its shell. A Jew alone is looked upon as a man; the whole
world is his and all things should serve him, especially "animals
which have the form of men."
Thus it is plain that they regard all contact with Christians
as contaminating and as detracting from their dignity. They
are therefore required to keep as far away as possible from
all who live and act as Christians do.
1. A JEW MUST NOT SALUTE
A CHRISTIAN
In Gittin (62a) it says:
"A Jew must not enter the home of a Nokhri on a feast
day to offer him greetings. However, if he meets him on the
street, he may offer him a greeting, but curtly and with head
bowed."
2.
A JEW MUST NOT RETURN THE GREETINGS OF A CHRISTIAN
In Iore Dea (148, 10) it says:
"A Jew must not return the greeting of a Christian by bowing
before him. It is good, therefore, to salute him first and
so avoid having to answer him back if the Akum salutes
him first."
Rabbi Kohana says that when a Jew salutes a Christian he should
say "Peace to my Lord," but intend this for his own Rabbi.
For the Tosephtoth says: "For his heart was turned towards
his own Rabbi."
3. A JEW MUST NOT GO BEFORE
A CHRISTIAN JUDGE
In Choschen Hammischpat (26,1) it says:
"A Jew is not permitted to bring his case before Akum
judges, even if the matter is judged by the decisions of Jewish
law, and even if both parties agree to abide by such decisions.
He who does so is impious and similar to one who calumniates
and blasphemes, and who raises his hand against the Law given
us by Moses, our great law-giver. Hagah says 'The Bethin
has the power to excommunicate such a one until he releases
his Jewish brother from the hands of the Gentile.'"
4.
A CHRISTIAN CANNOT BE USED AS A WITNESS
In Choschen Ham. (34, 19) it says:
"A Goi or a servant is not capable of acting as a witness."
5. A JEW CANNOT EAT CHRISTIAN
FOOD
In Iore Dea (112, 1) it says:
"The Elders forbade the eating of the bread of the Akum,
lest we would seem to be familiar with them."
And in Abhodah arah (35b) it says:
"The following things belonging to the Goim are forbidden:
Milk which a Goi takes from a cow, in the absence of
a Jew; also their bread, etc."
6.
A JEW MUST NEVER ACT IN ANY WAY LIKE A CHRISTIAN
In Iore Dea (178, 1) it says:
"It is not permitted to imitate the customs of the Akum,
nor to act like them. Nor is it permitted to wear clothes
like the Akum, not to comb the hair as they do...neither
must Jews build houses that look like temples of the Akum."
Since, however, it is not possible to observe all these rules
in every place, the Hagah says that they can be overlooked
to a certain extent when, for instance, it is to the advantage
of the Jew to do so; for example, if a Jew would profit by
a trade which requires a certain kind of dress.
* * * * *
Article
II. - Christians Are to Be Avoided - Because They Are Unclean
It is not known how often
Jews must wash and purify themselves, nor how much they must study
to avoid everything which might render them unclean. The Talmud
teaches, however, that Christians are people whose touch alone
makes things unclean. In Abhodah Zarah (72b) it says:
"A certain man was pouring wine from one jar into another by means
of a tube, when a Goi came along and touched the tube with
his hand. As a result all the wine (in both jars) had to be thrown
away."
Every vessel, therefore, must be washed which comes into the possession
of a Jew from a Christian, although it has never been in use.
In Iore Dea (120, 1) it says:
"If a Jew buys a vessel for use at table from an Akum,
whether it is made of metal, glass or lead, even if it is new,
he must wash it in a Mikvah [a large basin], or in a cistern
which holds forty quarts of water.
* * * * *
Article
III. - Christians Are to Be Avoided - Because They Are Idolaters
1.
Lest a Jew be the occasion of sin to the idolatrous Christians,
according to the precept in Levit. XIX, 14: "Do not
put a stumbling-block before the blind - he must avoid all
contact with them on the days when they worship their gods. In
Abhodah Zarah (2a) it says:
"For three days before their idolatrous festivals it is not
permitted to buy or sell them anything. It is also forbidden
to give or take any help from them, to change any money with
them, to pay them back any debts or allow them to pay back
debts."
In the Abhodah Zarah, 78c (the Perusch of Maimonides,
fol. 8) it says:
"All the festivals of the followers of Jesus are forbidden,
and we must conduct ourselves towards them as we would towards
idolators. The first day of the week is their principal feast,
and it is therefore forbidden to do any business whatsoever
with those who believe in Jesus on their Sabbath. We must
observe the same rules on their Sabbath as we do on the feastdays
of idolators, as the Talmud teaches."
2.
A JEW MUST NOT USE ANYTHING WHICH PERTAINS TO THE WORSHIP OF CHRISTIANS
In Iore Dea (139, 1) it says:
"It is forbidden to have anything to do with idols and everything
that is used in their form of worship, whether they are made
by the Akum or by Jews."
3.
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO SELL TO CHRISTIANS ANYTHING CONNECTED WITH
THEIR IDOLATROUS WORSHIP
The Abhodah Zarah (14b, Toseph) says:
"It is always forbidden to sell incense to an idolatrous priest,
for it is evident that when he asks for it he wants it for
no other purpose but to offer it before his idol. Anyone,
therefore, who would sell it to him sins against the precept
which forbids us to place a stumbling-block before the blind.
It is also forbidden to sell candles to gentiles for their
Feat of Candles. Candles however may be sold to them on other
days. Neither is it permitted to sell a chalice to a gentile
which a Jew has bought after a Goi has broken it and
thrown it away. It may only be sold again to a gentile after
it has been completely made over. For after it has been broken
just once it can be used still to hold the wine which is offered
in honor of their idol." Then follows the prohibition as to
the selling of books to Christian priests, as we have seen
above. Even the work of binding such books is forbidden to
a Jew. In Iore Dea (139, 15) it says:
"It is forbidden to bind the books of the Akum, with
the exception of law books. It may be done, however, if refusal
to do so should cause enmity, but only after every effort
has been made to refuse such work."
Likewise in Iore Dea (151, 1, Hagah):
"It is not permitted to sell water to an Akum if it
is known that it will be made into Baptismal water."
Mention is also made of many other things which it is forbidden
to sell to Christians, such as: cloth from which priestly
vestments and banners may be made; paper and ink which may
be used for writing books pertaining to their divine worship.
It is forbidden to sell, or even to rent, houses to Christians
which will be used by them as a place of worship. Nowadays,
however, Jews trade with Christians, especially on Christian
feast days, and also sell them houses knowing full well that
certain Sacraments will be administered therein, such as Baptism,
Holy Communion and Extreme Unction. The Talmud can give no
reason for this, and in the Abhodah Zarah (2a, Toseph)
it says:
"It is difficult to say by what right Jews nowadays trade
with the Goim on their (evil) feast days. For although
many of them commit all kinds of licentious acts and perversions
on their feast days in honor of saints which they do not look
upon as gods, yet every week they celebrate the Day of the
Nazarene [Sunday] which has always been forbidden to us."
Bartenora, however, in his commentary on Abhodah Zarah
(I, 2, fol. 7b) it says:
"Since, while we are in captivity, we cannot live without
trading with them, and we depend upon them for our food and
we must fear them, it is only forbidden to trade with them
on their feast days. Furthermore, it is permitted nowadays
to trade with them on the actual day of their feasts, because
the Rabbis are convinced that they do not worship their idols
just because they trade with us. And what is forbidden in
this book must be taken as applying directly to idolatry."
Rabbi Tam, however, contends that the Mischnah only
forbids the selling of things to idolaters which will be used
by them in the worship of idols, since they rejoice and worship
their idols because they obtain the things necessary for that
worship. He explains it thus (in Abhodah Zarah, 2a,
Toseph):
"No one should wonder at this custom of ours. For, although
we look upon them as idolaters, they can only offer up what
they buy for money. Hence, our gain and their joy is not the
reason for this prohibition, for they have enough money for
these things, even if we did not trade with them."
4.
THIS PROHIBITION DOES NOT APPLY TO ATHEISTS
In Iore Dea (148, 5) it says:
"It is only permitted to send a gift to an Akum on
one of their feast days if it is known that he does not believe
in idols and does not worship them."
Maimonides has the same in Hilkhoth Akum (IX, 2):
"It is also wrong to send a gift to a Goi on their
feast days unless it is certain that he does not believe in
the worship of Christian idols, and does not serve them."
Article
IV. -Christians Are to Be Avoided - Because They Are Evil
There is nothing that
Jews are more convinced of than the harm which Christians
can do to the children of Israel. Because of this, the rulers
of the Chosen People have always instructed them not to accept
any help from Christians who will always resort to murder,
and to other crimes, whenever they cannot otherwise obtain
their evil ends. Thus a Jew must not employ a Christian as
a nurse, or as a teacher for his children, or as a doctor,
a barber or an obstetrician.
1.
NOT AS A NURSE
In Iore Dea (81, 7, Hagah) it says:
"A child must not be nursed by a Nokhri, if an Israelite
can be had; for the milk of the Nokhrith hardens the
heart of a child and builds up an evil nature in him."
2. NOT AS A TEACHER
In Iore Dea (153, 1, Hagah) it says:
"A child must not be given to the Akum to learn manners,
literature or the arts, for they will lead him to heresy."
3. NOT AS A DOCTOR
In Iore Dea (155, 1) it says:
"When a Jew is wounded in any way, even so gravely that he
would have to violate the Sabbath in having a doctor, he must
not employ the services of a Christian (Akum) doctor
who is not known to everyone in the neighborhood; for we must
guard against the spilling of blood. Even when it is not known
if the patient will live or die, such a doctor must not be
allowed to attend him. If, however, he is sure to die, then
such a doctor may attend him, since an extra hour of life
is not much to lose. If the Akum insists that a certain
medicine is good, you may believe him, but be sure not to
buy it from him. There are some who say that this holds only
when the Akum offer help free, and that it can be accepted
every time it is paid for. But it can be taken for granted
that they would not harm a Jew just for the sake of a matter
of money."
In Pesachim (25a) it says:
"Rabbi Jochanan says: medical help can be accepted from all
except idolaters, fornicators and murderers."
4. NOT AS A BARBER
In Iore Dea (156,1 ) it says:
"You must not be shaven by an Akum unless your Jewish
friends are with you. There are some who say that it is not
permitted to be shaved by an Akum even when others
are present, unless you can see yourself in a mirror."
5. NOT AS AN OBSTETRICIAN
In Abhodah Zarah (26a) it says:
"Our Rabbis have passed it down for us, that a foreign woman
must never be allowed to act as midwife at the birth of a
child of Israel, because they are given to the shedding of
blood. The Elders say, however, that a foreign woman may perform
this task provided there are other Jewish women present, but
never alone. Rabbi Meir, however, says that it is not allowed
even others are present. For they often crush the soft head
of the child with their hands and kill it; and they can do
this without being noticed by those who are present."
* * * * *
CHAPTER
II
CHRISTIANS
MUST BE EXTERMINATED
The followers of "that man," whose name is taken by the Jews to
mean "May his name and memory be blotted out," are not otherwise
to be regarded than as people whom it would be good to get rid
of. They are called Romans and tyrants who hold captive the children
of Israel, and by their destruction the Jews would be freed from
this Fourth Captivity. Every Jew is therefore bound to do
all he can to destroy that impious kingdom of the Edomites (Rome)
which rules the whole world. Since, however, it is not always
and everywhere possible to effect this extermination of Christians,
the Talmud orders that they should be attacked at least indirectly,
namely: by injuring them in every possible way, and by thus lessening
their power, help towards their ultimate destruction. Wherever
it is possible a Jew should kill Christians, and do so without
mercy.
Article
I. - Harm must be done to Christians
A Jew is commanded to
harm Christians wherever he can, both indirectly by not helping
them in any way, and also directly by wrecking their plans
and projects; neither must he save a Christian who is in danger
of death.
I.
Good must not be done to Christians
In Zohar (1, 25b)
it says:
"Those who do good to the Akum . . . will not rise
from the dead."
At times it is permitted to do good to Christians, but only
in order to help Israel, namely, for the sake of peace and
to hide hatred of them. Maimonides in Hilkhoth Akum
(X, 6) says:
"Needy Gentiles may be helped as well as needy Jews, for the
sake of peace..."
In Iore Dea (148, 12 Hagah) it says:
"Therefore if you enter a town and find them celebrating a
feast, you may pretend to rejoice with them in order to hide
your hatred. Those, however, who care about the salvation
of their souls should keep away from such celebrations. You
should make it known that it is a hateful thing to rejoice
with them, if you can do so without incurring enmity."
1. IT IS NOT PERMITTED
TO PRAISE A CHRISTIAN
In Abhodah Zarah (20, a, Toseph) it says:
"Do not say anything in praise of them, lest it be said: How
good that Goi is!"
In this way they explain the words of Deuteronomy (VII,
2) ... and thou shalt show no mercy unto them [Goim], as
cited in the Gemarah. Rabbi S. Iarchi explains this
Bible passage as follows:
"Do not pay them any compliments; for it is forbidden to say:
how good that Goi is."
In Iore Dea (151, 14) it says:
"No one is allowed to praise them or to say how good an Akum
is. How much less to praise what they do or to recount anything
about them which would redound to their glory. If, however,
while praising them you intend to give glory to God, namely,
because he has created comely creatures, then it is allowed
to do so."
2. A JEW NOT ALLOWED TO
MENTION THE THINGS WHICH CHRISTIANS USE FOR THEIR IDOLATROUS
WORSHIP
In Hilkhoth Akum (V, 12) it says:
"It is also forbidden to make mention of the Akum;
for it is written (Exodus XXIII, 13):...and make
no mention of other gods."
3. THEIR IDOLS MUST BE
SPOKEN OF WITH CONTEMPT
In Iore Dea (146, 15) it says:
"Their idols must be destroyed, or called by contemptuous
names."
Ibidem, (147, 5):
"It is permitted to deride idols, and it is forbidden to say
to a Goi: May your God help you, or I hope you will
succeed."
Rabbi Bechai, explaining the text of Deuteronomy about
hating idolatry, says:
"The Scripture taught us to hate idols and to call them by
ignominious names. Thus, if the name of a church is Bethgalia
- "house of magnificence," it should be called Bethkaria
- an insignificant house, a pigs' house, a latrine. For this
word, karia, denotes a low-down, slum place."
In numerous places ignominious names are given by the Jews
to Christian things. It will not be out of place to list a
few of these names which they give to things and persons which
are held holy and dear by Christians, as follows:
JESUS is ignominiously called Jeschu - which means,
May his name and memory be blotted out. His proper
name in Hebrew is Jeschua, which means Salvation.
MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, is called Charia - dung,
excrement (German Dreck). In Hebrew her proper name is Miriam.
CHRISTIAN SAINTS, the word for which in Hebrew Kedoschim,
are called Kededchim (cinaedos) - feminine men
(Fairies). Women saints are called Kedeschoth, whores.
SUNDAY is called the day of calamity.
FEAST OF CHRISTMAS is called Nital, denoting extermination.
EASTER is not called by the proper name Pesach (Passover),
but Ketsach, meaning a cutting down; or Kesach, a Gallows.
A CHRISTIAN CHURCH is not called Beth Hattefillah,
House of Prayer, but Beth Hattiflah, a House of Vanity,
a House of Evil.
THE GOSPEL BOOKS are called Aavon Gilaion, Books of
Iniquity.
CHRISTIAN SACRIFICES are called Dung Offerings. In the Jerusalem
Talmud (fol. 13b) the following occurs:
"He who sees them mezabbelim (excrementing - sacrificing)
before their idol, let him say (Exod. XXII, 20): He
that sacrificeth unto an idol shall be utterly destroyed."
Rabbi Iarchi (referring to Num. XXV, 3) teaches that
the Gentiles actually honor their God by excrementing before
him.
A CHRISTIAN GIRL who works for Jews on their sabbath is called
a Schaw-wesschicksel, Sabbath Dirt.
4. A JEW IS NOT ALLOWED
TO GIVE GIFTS TO CHRISTIANS
In Hilkohoth Akum (X, 5) it says:
"It is forbidden to give gifts to the Goim. But it
is permitted to give them to a convert who lives among the
Jews; for it is said: To the traveller who stops in your cities,
give it to him to eat, or sell it to a Gentile, that is sell
it, not give it."
In Iore Dea (151, 11) it says:
"It is forbidden to give free gifts to the Akum with
whom a Jew may not treat familiarly."
The Talmud, however, allows a Jew to give gifts to Gentiles
who are known to himand from whom he has hope of getting something
in return.
5. A JEW IS FORBIDDEN
TO SELL HIS FARM TO CHRISTIANS
In Iore Dea (334, 43) it says:
"In 24 cases a Jew must be repudiated, namely ...8. Anyone
who sells his farm to the Akum must be sent into exile
- unless he undertakes to make up for all the harm that follows
as a consequence of having the Akum live near the Jews."
6. IT IS FORBIDDEN TO
TEACH A TRADE TO CHRISTIANS
In Iore Dea (154, 2) it says:
"It is not permitted to teach any trade to the Akum."
II.
Harm
must be done to the Work of Christians
Since the Goim
minister to Jews like beasts of burden, belong to a Jew together
with his life and all his faculties:
"The life of a Goi and all his physical powers belong
to a Jew." (A. Rohl. Die Polem. p.20)
It is an axiom of the Rabbis that a Jew may take anything
that belongs to Christians for any reason whatsoever, even
by fraud; nor can such be called robbery since it is merely
taking what belongs to him.
In Babha Bathra
(54 b) it says:
"All things pertaining to the Goim are like a desert;
the first person to come along and take them can claim them
for his own."
1. CHRISTIANS MUST NOT
BE TOLD IF THEY PAY TOO MUCH TO A JEW
In Choschen Hammischpat (183, 7) it says:
"If you send a messenger to collect money from an Akum
and the Akum pays too much, the messenger may keep
the difference. But if the messenger does not know about it,
then you may keep it all yourself."
2. LOST PROPERTY OF
CHRISTIANS MUST NOT BE RETURNED TO THEM
In Choschen Hamm. (266, 1) it says:
"A Jew may keep anything he finds which belongs to the Akum,
for it is written: Return to thy brethren what is lost (Deuter.
XXII, 3). For he who returns lost property [to Christians]
sins against the Law by increasing the power of the transgressors
of the Law. It is praiseworthy, however, to return lost property
if it is done to honor the name of God, namely, if by so doing
Christians will praise the Jews and look upon them as honorable
people."
3. CHRISTIANS MAY BE
DEFRAUDED
In Babha Kama (113b) it says:
"It is permitted to deceive a Goi."
And in Choschen Hamm. (156, 5 Hagah) it says:
"If a Jew is doing good business with an Akum it is not allowed
to other Jews, in certain places, to come and do business
with the same Akum. In other places, however, it is different,
where another Jews is allowed to go to the same Akum, lead
him on, do business with him and to deceive him and take his
money. For the wealth of the Akum is to be regarded as common
property and belongs to the first who can get it. There are
some, however, who say that this should not be done."
In Choschen Hamm. (183, 7 Hagah) it says:
"If a Jew is doing business with an Akum and a fellow Israelite
comes along and defrauds the Akum, either by false measure,
weight or number, he must divide his profit with his fellow
Israelite, since both had a part in the deal, and also in
order to help him along."
4. A JEW MAY PRETEND
HE IS A CHRISTIAN TO DECEIVE CHRISTIANS
In Iore Dea (157, 2 Hagah) it says:
"If a Jew is able to deceive them [idolaters] by pretending
he is a worshipper of the stars, he may do so."
5. A JEW IS ALLOWED
TO PRACTICE USURY ON CHRISTIANS
In Abhodah Zarah (54a) it says:;
"It is allowed to take usury from Apostates who fall into
idolatry."
And in Iore Dea (159, 1) it says:
"It is permitted, according to the Torah, to lend money to
an Akum with usury. Some of the Elders, however, deny this
except in a case of life and death. Nowadays it is permitted
for any reason."
III.
Christians may be harmed in Legal Matters
1. A JEW MAY LIE AND
PERJURE HIMSELF TO CONDEMN A CHRISTIAN
In Babha Kama (113a) it says:
"Our teaching is as follows: When a Jew and a Goi come into
court, absolve the Jew, if you can, according to the laws
of Israel. If the Goi wins, tell him that is what our laws
require. If however, the Jew can be absolved according to
the gentile law, absolve him and say it is due to our laws.
If this cannot be done proceed callously against the Goim,
as Rabbi Ischmael advises. Rabbi Akibha, however, holds that
you cannot act fraudulently lest you profane the Name of God,
and have a Jew commited for perjury."
A marginal note, however, explains this qualification
of Rabbi Akibha as follows:
"The name of God is not profaned when it is not known by the
Goi that the Jew has lied."
And further on, the Babha Kama (113b) says:
"The name of God is not profaned when, for example, a Jew
lies to a Goi by saying: 'I gave something to your father,
but he is dead; you must return it to me,' as long as the
Goi does not know that you are lying."
2. A JEW MAY PERJURE
HIMSELF WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE
In Kallah (1b, p.18) it says:
"She (the mother of the mamzer) said to him, 'Swear to me.'
And Rabbi Akibha swore with his lips, but in his heart he
invalidated his oath."
A similar text is found in Schabbuoth Hagahoth of Rabbi Ascher
(6d):
"If the magistrate of a city compels Jews to swear that they
will not escape from the city nor take anything out of it,
they may swear falsely by saying to themselves that they will
not escape today, nor take anything out of the city today
only."
IV.
Christians
must be harmed in Things Necessary for Life
Jews must spare no
means in fighting the tyrants who hold them in this Fourth
Captivity in order to set themselves free. They must fight
Christians with astuteness and do nothing to prevent evil
from happening to them: their sick must not be cared for,
Christian women in childbirth must not be helped, nor must
they be saved when in danger of death.
1. A JEW MUST ALWAYS
TRY TO DECEIVE CHRISTIANS
In Zohar (I, 160a) it says:
"Rabbi Jehuda said to him [Rabbi Cezkia]: 'He is to be praised
who is able to free himself from the enemies of Israel, and
the just are much to be praised who get free from them and
fight against them. 'Rabbi Chezkia asked, 'How must we fight
against them?' Rabbi Jehuda said, 'By wise counsel thou shalt
war against them' (Proverbs, ch. 24, 6). By what kind
of war? The kind of war that every son of man must fight against
his enemies, which Jacob used against Esau - by deceit and
trickery whenever possible. They must be fought against without
ceasing, until proper order be restored. Thus it is with satisfaction
that I say we should free ourselves from them and rule over
them."
2. A SICK CHRISTIAN
MUST NOT BE AIDED
In Iore Dea (158, 1) it says:
"The Akum are not to be cured, even for money, unless it would
incur their enmity."
3. A CHRISTIAN WOMAN
IN CHILDBIRTH MUST NOT BE HELPED
In Orach Chaiim (330, 2) it says:
"No help is to be given to an Akun woman in labor on the sabbath,
even in a small way, for the Sabbath must not be violated."
4. A CHRISTIAN IN DANGER
OF DEATH MUST NOT BE HELPED
In Choschen Hamm. (425, 5) it says:
"If you see a heretic, who does not believe in the Torah,
fall into a well in which there is a ladder, hurry at once
and take it away and say to him 'I have to go and take my
son down from a roof; I will bring the ladder back to you
at once' or something else. The Kuthaei, however, who are
not our enemies, who take care of the sheep of the Israelites,
are not to be killed directly, but they must not be saved
from death."
And in Iore Dea (158, 1) it says:
"The Akum who are not enemies of ours must not be killed directly,
nevertheless they must not be saved from danger of death.
For example, if you see one of them fall into the sea, do
not pull him out unless he promises to give you money."
Maimonides, in Hilkhoth Akum (X, 1) says:
"Do not have pity for them, for it is said (Deuter. VII, 2):
Show no mercy unto them. Therefore, if you see an Akum in
difficulty or drowning, do not go to his help. And if he is
in danger of death, do not save him from death. But it is
not right to kill him by your own hand by shoving them into
a well or in some other way, since they are not at war with
us."
* * * * *
Article
II. - Christians are to be Killed
Lastly, the Talmud
commands that Christians are to be killed without mercy. In
the Abhodah Zarah (26b) it says:
"Heretics, traitors and apostates are to be thrown into a
well and not rescued."
And in Choschen Hammischpat (388, 10) it says:
"A spy is to be killed, even in our days, wherever he is found.
He may be killed even before he confesses. And even if he
admits that he only intended to do harm to somebody, and if
the harm which he intended is not very great, it is sufficient
to have him condemned to death. He must be warned, however,
not to confess to this. But if he impudently says 'No, I will
confess it!' then he must be killed, and the sooner the better.
If there is no time to warn him, it is not necessary to do
so. There are some who say that a traitor is to be put to
death only when it is impossible to get rid of him by
mutilating him, that is, by cutting out his tongue or his
eyes, but if this can be done he must not be killed, since
he is not any worse than others who persecute us."
And in Choschen Hamm. again (388, 15) it says:
"If it can be proved that someone has betrayed Israel three
times, or has given the money of Israelites to the Akum, a
way must be found after prudent consideration to wipe him
off the face of the earth."
I.
Renegades
to be Killed
Even a Christian who
is found studying the Law of Israel merits death. In Sanhedrin
(59a) it says:
"Rabbi Jochanan says: A Goi who pries into the Law is guilty
to death."
II. Baptized
Jews are to be Put to Death
In Hilkhoth Akum (X,
2) it says:
"These things [supra] are intended for idolaters. But Israelites
also, who lapse from their religion and become epicureans,
are to be killed, and we must persecute them to the end. For
they afflict Israel and turn the people from God."
And in Iore Dea (158,
2 Hagah) it says:
"Renegades who turn to the pleasures of the Akum, and who
become contaminated with them by worshipping stars and planets
as they do, are to be killed."
Likewise in Choschen Hamm. (425, 5) it says:
"Jews who become epicureans, who take to the worship of stars
and planets and sin maliciously; also those who eat the flesh
of wounded animals, or who dress in vain clothes, deserve
the name of epicureans; likewise those who deny the Torah
and the Prophets of Israel - the law is that all those should
be killed; and those who have the power of life and death
should have them killed; and if this cannot be done, they
should be led to their death by deceptive methods."
Rabbi Maimonides, in
Hilkhoth Teschubhah (III, 8) gives the list of those who are
considered as denying the Law:
"There are three classes of people who deny the Law of the
Torah: (1) Those who say that the Torah was not given by God,
at least one verse or one word of it, and who say that it
was all the work of Moses; (2) Those who reject the explanation
of the Torah, namely, the Oral Law of the Mischnah, and do
not recognize the authority of the Doctors of the Law, like
the followers of Tsadok (Sadducees) and Baithos; (3) Those
who say that God changed the Law for another New Law, and
that the Torah no longer has any value, although they do not
deny that it was given by God, as the Christians and the Turks
believe. All of these deny the Law of the Torah."
III.
Christians are to be Killed because They are Tyrants
In Zohar (I, 25a) it
says:
"The People of the Earth are idolaters, and it has been written
about them: Let them be wiped off the face of the earth. Destroy
the memory of the Amalekites. They are with us still in this
Fourth Captivity, namely, the Princes [of Rome] . . . who
are really Amalakites."
1. THESE PRINCES ARE
TO BE KILLED FIRST
For if they are allowed to live, the hope of the liberation
of the Jews is in vain, and their prayers for release from
this Fourth Captivity are of no avail. In Zohar (I, 219B)
it says:
"It is certain that our captivity will last until the princes
of the gentiles who worship idols are destroyed."
And again in Zohar (II, 19a) it says:
"Rabbi Jehuda said: Come and see how it is; how the princes
have assumed power over Israel and the Israelites make no
outcry. But their rejoicing is heard when the prince falls.
It is written that: the King of the Egyptians died and soon
the children of Israel were released from captivity; they
cried out and their voice ascended to God."
2. THE PRINCEDOM WHOSE
CHIEF CITY IS ROME IS THE ONE TO BE HATED MOST OF ALL BY THE
JEWS
They call it the Kingdom of Esau, and of the Edomites, the
Kingdom of Pride, the Wicked Kingdom, Impious Rome. The Turkish
Empire is called the Kingdom of the Ismaelites which they
do not wish to destroy. The Kingdom of Rome, however, must
be exterminated, because when corrupt Rome is destroyed, salvation
and freedom will come to God's Chosen People.
Rabbi David Kimchi writes as follows in Obadiam:
"What the Prophets foretold about the destruction of Edom
in the last days was intended for Rome, as Isaiah explains
(ch. 34, 1): Come near, ye nations, to hear . . . For when
Rome is destroyed, Israel shall be redeemed."
Rabbi Abraham also, in his book Tseror Hammor, section Schoftim,
says the same:
"Immediately after Rome is destroyed we shall be redeemed."
IV.
Lastly,
all Christians, including the Best of Them, are to be Killed
In Abhodah Zarah (26b,
Tosephoth) it says:
"Even the best of the Goim should be killed"
The Schulchan Arukh, after the words of Iore Dea (158, 1)
that those of the Akum who do no harm to Jews are not to be
killed, namely those who do not wage war against Israel, thus
explains the word Milchamah - war:
"But in time of war the Akum are to be killed, for it is written:
'The good among the Akum deserve to be killed, etc.'"
V.
A Jew who
Kills a Christian Commits No Sin, but Offers an Acceptable Sacrifice
to God
In Speher Or Israel
(177b) it says:
"Take the life of the Kliphoth and kill them, and you will
please God the same as one who offers incense to Him."
And in Ialkut Simoni (245c. n. 772) it says:
"Everyone who sheds the blood of the impious is as acceptable
to God as he who offers a sacrifice to God."
VI.
After the
Destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem, the only Sacrifice Nexessary
is the Extermination of Christians
In Zohar (III, 227b)
the Good Pastor says:
"The only sacrifice required is that we remove the unclean
from amongst us."
Zhoar (II, 43a), explaining the precept of Moses about the
redemption of the first born of an ass by offering a lamb,
says:
"The ass means the non-Jew, who is to be redeemed by the offering
of a lamb, which is the dispersed sheep of Israel. But if
he refuses to be redeemed, then break his skull....They should
be taken out of the book of the living, for it is said about
them: He who sins against me, I shall take out of the book
of life."
VII. Those
Who Kill Christians shall have a High Place in Heaven
In Zohar (I, 28b, and
39a) it says:
"In the palaces of the fourth heaven are those who lamented
over Sion and Jerusalem, and all those who destroyed idolatrous
nations...and those who killed off people who worship idols
are clothed in purple garments so that they may be recognized
and honored."
VIII.
Jews must
Never Cease to Exterminate the Goim; They must Never Leave them
in Peace and Never Submit to Them
In Hilhoth Akum (X,
1)it says:
"Do not eat with idolaters, nor permit them to worship their
idols; for it is written: Make no covenant with them, nor
show mercy unto them (Deuter. ch. 7, 2). Either turn away
from their idols or kill them."
Ibidem (X, 7):
"In places where Jews are strong, no idolater must be allowed
to remain..."
IX.
All Jews
are Obliged to Unite Together to Destroy Traitors among Them
In Choschen Hamm. (338,
16) it says:
"All the inhabitants of a city are obliged to contribute to
the expense of killing a traitor, even those who have to pay
other taxes."
X.No
Festival, no matter how solemn, must Prevent the Beheading of
a Christian
In Pesachim (49b) it
says:
"Rabbi Eliezer said: It is permitted to cut off the head of
an 'idiot' [one of the people of the Earth] on the feast of
the Atonement when it falls on the Sabbath. His disciples
said to him: Rabbi, you should rather say to sacrifice. But
he replied: By no means, for it is necessary to pray while
sacrificing, and there is no need of prayers when you behead
someone."
XI.
The One
Object of all the Actions and Prayers of the Jews should be to
Destroy the Christian Religion
Thus the Jews picture
their Messiah and Liberator whom they expect, as a persecutor
who will inflict great calamities upon non-Jews. The Talmud
lists three great evils which will come upon the world when
the Messiah comes. In Schabbath (118a) it says:
"Whoever eats three meals on the Sabbath shall be saved from
the three evils: from the punishments of the Messiah, from
the pain of hell and from the war of Magog; for it is written:
Behold, I shall send you Elias the Prophet before the coming
of the 'Day' of the Lord, etc.*
XII.
In their
Prayers the Jews sigh for the Coming of the Revengeful Messiah,
especially on the Eve of the Passover:
"pour out thy anger
upon nations that know thee not, and upon the kingdoms which
do not invoke thy name; Pour out thy indignation upon them,
and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them; Persecute and
destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the Lord."
They also pray as follows:
"How long will thy strength remain captive and thy beauty
lie under the hand of the oppressor? O God! Show forth thy
strength and thy zeal against our enemies; break their strength
and let them be confounded..."
And again:
"Cut off the hope of the unjust; let all heretics perish at
once; root out, break up and destroy the Proud Kingdom; hasten
to make all peoples subject in our days."
* * * * *
At that very same time,
on Good Friday, that "Prince of the Proud Empire" of Rome,
the Pope, prays, and orders everyone in the world to pray
for all "heretics" and those who are "lost", as follows:
"Let us pray for the perfidious Jews: that the Lord our God may
take away the veil from their hearts, that they may acknowledge
Jesus Christ our Lord."
"Omnipotent and Eternal God, who does not even exclude Jewish
perfidy from thy mercy: hear our prayers which we offer for
the blindness of that people, that, having recognized the
light of thy truth, which is Christ, they may come out of
their darkness, Through Jesus Christ our Lord . . ."
