Jealousy and Jew Hatred

There is a reference in Moshe’s recounting the events of the forty years in the desert, of Eisav’s tremendous jealousy of the Jewish people.

When we speak of Eisav, we also refer to him as Edom. And Edom is connected to Christianity. Yishmael, the other son of Avraham, is connected to Islam, and the Muslim religion.

It has perplexed us for centuries as to why we have had to live with so much Jew hatred. The answer might simply be in that one word, “jealousy.”
This only serves to emphasize how dangerous this emotion can be. It is true on a national level, as well as on an individual. There are different stages connected with such jealousy.

It begins with an obsession of the object of jealousy. This obsession turns to hatred, and the hatred comes with a strong desire to harm the other person.
Sometimes the harm comes from the negative energy, of not wishing the other person well. But there are other times where the hatred and jealousy runs so deep, that there is an active effort to do harm.

As a people, we suffered greatly because of the jealousy and hatred of the Christians and Muslims. It has no logic or reason to it. There is only the desire to cause damage and harm.

This is why we are “a nation that dwells alone.” And this explains why the Rabbis tell us that when we rejoice, the nations of the world are sad. And when we are sad and in mourning, they are happy.

We must be aware of jealousy on all levels, and keep as great a distance from it, as possible.

We must hear the warning of Moshe Rabbeinu. We will be so much better off, because of it.