Book Review - The Paradox of Anti-Semitism

Daniel Cohn-Sherbok is an interesting rabbi. He most definitely does not believe in Jesus as Messiah; however, he is sympathetic to Jewish believers (see Messianic Judaism, 2000, pp. 209-13).

Therefore, Cohn-Sherbok's books are valuable for anyone who wants to understand the hearts of the modern Jewish people. Cohn-Sherbok represents the internal struggle being experienced by many Jewish people who struggle with whether it is acceptable, possible, for Jews to believe in Jesus. And even though Cohn-Sherbok's latest book, The Paradox of Anti-Semitism, might not appear to continue this intellectual battle, the struggle is present in his analysis of how anti-Semitism has been both evil and restorative for Judaism.

Cohn-Sherbok's latest work provides a historical overview of Judaism by first examining the major forms of modern Judaism. He then provides an analysis of how each major sub-group developed as anti-Semitism increased or decreased throughout the years since the Diaspora of AD 70.

The overarching premise of his book is that as anti-Semitism increases, the Jewish people return to the practice of Judaism. But as the world turns from hatred towards the Jews, the Jewish people will take the route of assimilation.

Cohn-Sherbok, while brilliant, often falls prey to historical generalizations regarding how all Christians view the Jewish people. But the overall value of this book is to see how even a Rabbi struggles with the question of a man named Jesus.

For even though Jesus is not mentioned in this particular work, Cohn-Sherbok affirms the view that those who turn to Jesus as Messiah only do so in the "good times." He obviously is wrong in his assumption because for a Jewish person to believe in Jesus often requires an abandonment of family, friends, and history. Good or bad times play little role in whether a Jewish person believes in Jesus.

The truth of Jesus' Messiahship and the witness of those who care for the Jewish people are what matter. So please read books such as The Paradox of Anti-Semitism, and read between the lines, so that you can feel the longing and desperate search for answers that the Jewish people are seeking to find. Answers that can only be found through a personal relationship with Jesus.