Description
Book SynopsisFollows the evolution of stereotypes of Jews from the level of traditional Romanian and other Central-East European cultures to that of 'high' cultures (literature, essays, press writings, and socio-political literature), showing how motifs specific to 'folkloric antisemitism' migrated to 'intellectual antisemitism'.
Trade Review"
Inventing the Jew is a necessary book. Nobody interested in the history (past and present) of Eastern and Central European anti-Semitism, radical nationalism and ethnocentric populism should miss it."—Vladimir Tismaneanu,
Times Literary Supplement"[Andrei Oisteanu] has produced a superb piece of research which will serve as a fundamental resource for future work on the cultural roots of ideas about Jews, not just in Romania but in the wider East European context."—Alex Drace-Francis,
Eastern European Jewish Affairs"This monograph has much to offer to scholars and graduate students not only of East European and Jewish Studies, but also of Ethnic Studies and Cultural Anthropology."—Joanna B. Michlic,
American Historical Review"
Inventing the Jew is an outstanding contribution to the study of images of the "imaginary Jew" in Romania and an important book for those who are interested in cultural perceptions of Jews in Eastern and Central Europe."—Günther Jikeli,
Journal for the Study of Antisemitism"This work of cultural anthropology is unparalleled in scope and interest for a whole range of disciplines."—Peter Sherwood,
Holocaust and Genocide Studies"Historians eager to explain the operation of anti-Jewish politics in a particular time and place would do well to study Oisteanu's rich inventory of anti-Jewish myths and stereotypes. His account of the depth, variety, and longevity of antisemitic stereotypes is a well-taken reminder of how powerful and widely felt the image of the Jew as “Other” has been and continues to be in the region."—Paul Hanebrink,
Journal of Modern HistoryTable of ContentsForeword by Moshe Idel ix Preface xi INTRODUCTION: THE IMAGINARY JEW 1 Ethnic Imagology 1 Romanian Tolerance: Between Myth and Reality 7 The Tabooed Jew 25 Notes 30 1. THE PHYSICAL PORTRAIT 38Hooked Nose and Thick Lips 38 Ritual Hair, Beard, and Sidelocks 44 Why Jews Are Freckled 57 The Ruddy Man as Evil Omen 59 Filthy, Stinking Jew 66 Beautiful, Elegant Jewess 85 Jewish Dress and the Stigma of Clothing 99 Notes 113 2. THE OCCUPATIONAL PORTRAIT 138 The Jew as Tradesman 138 The Jew as Craftsman 154 The Jew as Moneylender 162 The Jew As Musician 169 The Jew as Tavern-keeper 173 The Jew as Wagon-driver 191 The Jew as Farmer and as Shepherd 197 Notes 205 3. THE MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL PORTRAIT 228The Intelligent, Yet Cunning Jew 228 Dangerous Intelligence 233 The Cowardice of the Jew 235 The Good-Bad Jew 257 Ethnical and Ethical Characteristics 266 The Blind, Deaf, and Dumb Jew 276 Notes 290 4. THE MYTHICAL AND MAGICAL PORTRAIT 310 Brimstone and Fire 310 Demonization of the Jew 315 The Jew as Warlock and Rainmaker 324 The Legend of the Wandering Jew 330 Why Jews Do Not Eat Pork 342 The Jew as Good Omen 347 The "Jidovi" or Giants 356 Notes 360 5. THE RELIGIOUS PORTRAIT 378 Deicide 378 Hagiocide 385 Iconocide 393 Ritual Infanticide 400 Ritual Xenocide? 426 Notes 441
