Also, to understand ones disfavor one must put it in historical context. In the 17 & 1800s there was much disdane for Jewish comunities becouse they did something specific that was considered at the time to be immoral. They lent or barrowed money for intrest. Now we do not think anything of such a practice becouse it is no-longer considered by our culture to be vial. But you must take anti-semitism at the time in context. The very ability to borrow or lend money for intrest introduces time value of money. It means that if anyone is borrowing or lending for intrest then everyone has to lend for intrest, or face a devaluation of the money they do have. Most of the issues which we not look on as anti-semitic had to do with the fact that none but Jews were religiously allowed to engaged in this practice. The resentment then came from the fact that one group was, by doing something akin to being illegal, taking money away from everyone else.
Baloney. They all had the power to outlaw usury if they didn't want the Jews to practice it. It's not as if the Jews had a lot of political power. They wanted the utility of borrowable money, they used the Jews for this purpose and then they turned around and used the fact that the Jews benefited from it as an excuse to persecute them.
-- Doug _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
