Der ewige Jude
The “Eternal Jew”
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The concept of the “Wandering Jew” is far older than National Socialism. It derives from a literary and popular legend, about a Jew who mocked or mistreated Jesus while he was on his way to the cross and who was condemned therefore to a life of wandering on earth until Judgment Day.
The story of this wanderer was first recorded in the chronicles of Roger of Wendover and Matthew of Paris during the thirteenth century. The exact nature of the wanderer’s indiscretion varies in different versions of the tale, as do aspects of his character, some of the more common themes being the doom of the “Wandering Jew” to travel the world forever, forsaken by all unfortunate enough to encounter him.
Nazi Propaganda saw in this proof that the Jews have been justifiably persecuted by all racers over the millenium.
The Eternal Jew exhibition first opened in the Library of the German Museum in Munich on November 8, 1937, and ended on January 31, 1938. Billed as a degenerate-art exhibition, it was the largest prewar anti-Semitic exhibit thus far produced by the Nazi’s. The exhibit featured photographs pointing out the typically “Jewish” features of political figures, such as Leon Trotsky, and international film star Charlie Chaplin.
The displays emphasized supposed attempts by Jews to bolshevize Germany, It did this by revealing an ‘eastern’ Jew – wearing a kaftan, and holding gold coins in one hand and a whip in the other. Under his arm is a map of the world, with the imprint of the hammer and sickle. The exhibition attracted 412,300 visitors, over 5,000 per day.
The exhibition moved to Vienna for August 2 through October 23, 1938, and then to Berlin from November 12, 1938 through January 31, 1939. Police reports stated there was a direct correlation rise in anti-Semitic feelings, and in some cases violence against the Jewish community in each city the exhibition was held.
Read the full article here:
http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/holoprelude/derewigejude.html
The Holocaust Education & Archive Research Team
www.HolocaustResearchProject.org
