“He found him in a desert land,
and in the howling waste of the wilderness;
he encircled him, he cared for him,
he kept him as the apple of his eye.” -Deuteronomy 32:10
Fiddler on the Roof is set against the backdrop of 1905 Russia. In the musical, the Jewish families of the fictitious village of Anatevka are facing forced removal from their homes. This brings great fear and worry as they strive to hold onto their faith and their homes.
Although Anatevka was created for the musical, the oppression of Jewish people in Russia was a very real thing. Under the reign of Czar Nicholas I, the Jewish people of Russia experienced tremendous oppression. He passed over 600 decrees against the Jewish citizens of Russia. In the late 1880s, under the rule of Czar Nicholas II, the oppression and violence rose to a new and terrible level. The Jewish people of Russia began to leave their homes and seek refuge in more hospital countries, especially the United States. This mass exodus of over 2 million people was in response to the antisemitic pogroms (riots) that were, in part, encouraged by the Russian royal family and leadership.
During the Russian Revolution and Civil War (1918-1920), the violent pogroms continued, and it is estimated that over 250,000 Jewish people were murdered. Sadly, persecution against the Jewish people has, in no way, been isolated to Russia. Although the Jewish people make up 0.2% of the world’s population (2.4% of the U.S. population), the Jewish people experience a significant portion of the hateful rhetoric and violence in the world. Antisemitism is part of history and a growing part of our current world. Christ has shown us a better way.
Hate holds no redeeming value. Throughout history, humanity has isolated groups of people for various reasons. These groups become the object of our anger, frustration, and hatred. It starts with simple judgment. We see ourselves as better than another group while forgetting that we were all created by the same God. This is not who we are called to be. We are called to be like Christ, who loved the entire world.
This past Sunday, Dr. Long shared our commitment to stand against hatred. You have seen the staff wearing small blue pins. These pins remind us that it is our responsibility to stand up to Jewish hate. I invite you to wear a pin, too. You can stop by either campus this week and pick them up or you can go our website to place an order: https://stlukesokc.org/blue-square/
We must understand that hate grows when left unchecked. Hate for one group will expand to other groups. The only successful way to combat the growing hatred in our world is to actively love our neighbors, no exceptions. When we witness hate, we must speak out in love. The love Christ shared with us is sacrificial, forgiving, and kind. Love is active. It does not wait for hatred; rather, love seeks every opportunity to bless others, just as Christ has blessed us.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
#StandUpToJewishHate
