EXPOSÉ: The Bible-Based Racism That Fuels Widespread Russian Jewish Hatred Of Obama

"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up." The first of the heralds of evil, according to the verse, is "a slave who becomes king." 

Why don't Russian-speaking Jews trust Obama?
By Lily Galili • Ha'aretz

In the past two weeks, in advance of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Russia, chapters of the Bible have become hot current events items in the Russian-language media in Israel. This is not necessarily a matter of an increasing link to the Jewish sources, but rather the use of verses found relevant to eroding the American president's legitimacy. 

The Torah portion "Noah" has become particularly popular, and especially his son Ham. This Ham - whose name in Russian also means a very crude person - was punished in the Bible by having his skin turn black, with all his descendants doomed to be blacks destined for a life of slavery. Another very popular text lately is a verse from Proverbs: "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up." The first of the heralds of evil, according to the verse, is "a slave who becomes king." 

Each of these chapters is important in itself, but the real sparks are created by the connection between the two: Ham the black man who is doomed to eternal slavery and brings suffering to the world when a black slave becomes king - or in this case, ascends the throne of the presidency of the United States. 
 
The large community of Russian-speaking Jews in America is not enthusiastic about the new president either. But here there is an interesting cultural difference. While Russian speakers in Israel proudly proclaim their rejection of political correctness, their colleagues in America have actually internalized what is politically correct. They are far less preoccupied with the color of the president's skin, and focus on his Muslim background. That is considered legitimate. 

The curse of Ham and the White House 

Last Thursday, at peak viewing hours, Channel 9, the Russian-language Israeli television channel, devoted its weekly tradition program to the story of Noah and his sons Shem, Ham and Yefet. It should be noted that in terms of halakha (Jewish law) ,"Noah" was not the weekly Torah reading that week: The choice to discuss it of all things was deliberate and designed to create a link to current events. 

David Kun, one of the channel's important anchors, moderated the program; alongside him sat Rabbi Eliyahu Essas, journalist Alexander Wiesman and famous professors from the Russian-speaking community. The lengthy broadcast began with a series of doleful pictures of slavery, of the type seen at the time on the American TV series "Roots," which was about the history of black slavery. From here the discussion turned to Ham, Noah's son, who was punished by having his skin turn black. "A slave of slaves shall he be to his brothers," said Noah regarding Ham's son Canaan - a punishment for the fact that when Noah became drunk and was rolling around naked in his tent, Ham called his older brothers instead of covering his father's nakedness. 

The question that preoccupied the members of the panel who gathered in the Channel 9 studio was whether the black man can overcome this curse; it was mentioned that the curse of Ham was never revoked in the Torah. The discussion also sled to the question of whether there is genetic slavery or only a slave mentality. To illustrate that mentality, they showed the picture in which President Obama is seen talking on the phone with the Israeli prime minister, with his feet on his desk. 

Although the speakers were for the most part cautious in their replies, the contexts left a bitter aftertaste of racist provocation. Obama, they said, is a direct product of the trend of political correctness that began in the U.S. in the 1960s. For some reason that didn't sound like a compliment. The impression left by the program, in the final analysis, is a direct line ostensibly connecting Ham, Kunta Kinte of "Roots" and Barack Obama. Toward the end of the discussion one of the participants even mentioned that according to King Solomon, the world will experience major shocks when a slave becomes king, "exactly the situation at which we have arrived today." 

Channel 9 is not the only Russian-language media outlet that used biblical metaphors for political purposes to bash Obama. Vesty, the leading Russian-language newspaper, which is published by Yedioth Ahronoth, headlined one article about Obama "Ibn Hussein," and published a long essay dealing with the issue of "a slave who becomes king." Its author, Dov Kontorer, one of the leading columnists writing in Russian, decided that the earth really will tremble under the man Obama, who even in king's clothing will remain a slave. 

Haters, not racists 

The verse "a slave who becomes king" has appeared recently in the right-wing media in Hebrew as well, which expresses legitimate political views of protest against Obama. But the Russian-language media in Israel differ in their vehement style and the use of racist declarations. "The next president of the U.S. will be a lesbian Hispanic woman," said Edward Kuznetsov, the first editor of Vesty, not necessarily joking. "We are all racists, only the Russians think it's legitimate to express that without the prohibitions of political correctness. Or, as we tend to say in a paraphrase on anti-Semitism, 'we aren't racists, we simply hate blacks.'" 

From her professional experience his wife, Larissa Gerstein, a former deputy mayor of Jerusalem, knows that the Russian-speaking community in America has internalized the rules of political correctness. Every week Gerstein conducts two hours of conversations with listeners to Radio Davidson in Russian. The broadcasts cater to a public of about 600,000 Russian speakers on the East Coast. 

In the conversations, which are conducted from her home in Israel, Obama is the main subject. Not necessarily because of his skin color but because of his Islamic roots. "They curse him from morning to night," says Gerstein recalling the conversations. "It is clear to the Russians that what's important is the religion into which you were born, rather than the formal religion you have adopted. That's how it was in Soviet Russia, and that's the ingrained viewpoint. The listeners naturally speak about Hussein Obama, and the rest is clear." 

In America the Russian romance with Obama died out even before it started. While about 80 percent of American Jews voted for the Democratic candidate, about 80-85 percent of the Russian-speaking Jews there voted for Republican John McCain. Now there are only signs of a further deterioration in relations - Gerstein says that many listeners attribute to Obama and his Jewish staff a conspiracy to destroy Israel. 

Similar sentiments are heard from Avigdor Eskin, who speaks from Jerusalem with Russian speakers in Chicago. Eskin, who long ago returned to religion and has changed his political orientation as well, enlists the Jewish sources to analyze the situation that has been created: "A Pharoah has arrived who does not remember Joseph," he says of Obama. 

From things that have been written in Russian in America, what emerges mainly is fear of Obama the Muslim. If in Israel they are afraid that Obama's administration will undermine the special relationship with Israel, the Russian-speaking Jews in America express open fear that Obama will turn into what they call "a catalyst for a new wave of anti-Semitism." Because of Islam, because of his policy. 

In advance of Obama's visit to Russia, large "babushkas" have been distributed all over Moscow: One of them bears the faces of Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, others bear those of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and former U.S. president George W. Bush. Beneath the pictures of Putin and Bush, which were published on the Internet, a Russian talkbacker who identified himself as a Jew wrote: "A dream that will not return." 

Channel 9 responds 

In response to a question regarding the nature of its program, Channel 9 said: "We emphasize that the moderator only asked a question regarding the validity of the curse of Ham, and did not establish any facts. The purpose of the tradition programs is to explain the viewpoint of Jewish tradition on current events of all kinds. On the program under discussion we tried to clarify whether according to Jewish tradition there could be prejudice against Obama because of the fact that he is the first black president."

Comments

[Responsible Citizen]

I hear these things all of the time from the congregants at the Russian Heritage Bait Knesset here in Chicago.

[Dr. Dave]

Actually his policies are enough cause to hate him.

[Hometown Postville]

Anything to stir the prejudicial pot! Why can't people get beyond skin color or religious differences??????

[R]

How come we can have King David yet he was a descendant of slaves as well.
The whole thing makes no sense.
Anyway, I don't think Obama is such a hero either and at the end of the days he is just like any other politician.

[Isa]

Where did this crxp come from?

Communism I thought wouldn't promote this at all. Hmm after WWII the Russian Orthodox Church gained new freedoms-maybe this junk came from that.

[A. Nuran]

Dave, Obama's policies are the first breath of sanity we've had in government in the past eight years. The fact that he's abandoned them in order to appease the Republicans is a reason to be disappointed, not hate.

[A. Nuran]

As far as it goes, David was the descendant of former slaves. And Obama is not. His father was an African, one of the ones who WASN'T kidnapped and shipped over to America.

[Dr. Dave]

Obama's policies are the first breath of sanity we've had in government in the past eight years

Ah - like violating commerce laws and pressuring owners (preferred stock holders) of GM and Chrysler to give up ownership stake in the company while transferring ownership to the UAW.

Granting the workers the means of production - just like his hero Karl Marx wrote.

The slapdash and corrupt cap and trade bill that he passed - an energy tax of breathtaking proportions - After we read his lips that no one making under 250k, uh 200k, uh 150k a year would pay extra taxes.
We are all paying extra taxes.

And Healthcare Reform??
The CBO (nonpartisan) estimates that it would cost 1 trillion dollars to cover 1/3 the uninsured.

That would be apx 3 trillion to cover all the uninsured.

Obama is an ill prepared moron. He is Jimmy Carter part 2.

Clinton and even W were much better prepared and able to lead the U.S.

And no, I am not a republican!!

[Dr. Dave]

And don't forget -on social issues he is still not liberal - against gay marriage for example.

[itchiemayer]

There are plenty of reasons to dislike Obama. His being half black is not one of them. I judge him by the content of his character, not by the color of his skin. I think his character is pathetic. Moreover, articulate he is not. Only when he has a prepared speech in front of him is he articulate. The man is a stumbling, bumbling fool. My political hero, Alan Keyes, would destroy Mr. Obama in a debate.
Dave Marshall - I believe Obama is far worst than a carter II. Think of the destruction he has already caused in less than six months on the job.

[Dr. Dave]

Itchie
I'm Dr. Dave not Dave Marshall (see rule number 2)

[itchiemayer]

Thanks, DD. My apologies Dave Marshall!

[Alex]

What a ridiculous assertion by the author. Lets paint all russians as homophobes. The reason why russian community does not like Obama is two-fold: Russian Jews come from what was a formerly Communist country - and know what his social policies will lead to and of course russian jews tend to be well educated. Many well educated people can decipher Obama's gibberish well.

[itchiemayer]

Alex - Sadly, many very well educated people can't, or don't want to.

[yirmiyahu]

It is amazing that the only Jewish diaspora community which treats pork as a delicacy (from Ashdod to Brighton Beach) discovers "Jewish Tradition" in order to advance its own baseless prejudices. There is in fact nothing Jewish going on here, rather the panel reflects the deep prejudices within Russian (non-Jewish) society regarding Africans and people of color.

[Responsible Citizen]

Alex-A lot of the opposition comes from the lack of social responsibility and just plain reckless individualism I see in the Russian Jewish community. The neo-liberal Chicago school of economics gave us Bernard Madoff. A little dose of Clement Atlee's "Commanding Heights" is necessary to redirect the American economy out of its current mess. I might add this is all very ironic to me inasmuch as most Jews from the former USSR benefited from the generosity of the American welfare state, and that of the NGO's of the established Jewish community, when they first landed here.

[Clear]

The first of the heralds of evil, according to the verse, is "a slave who becomes king."

Apparently, though, a servant who becomes Vizier is perfectly okay. (Yosef)

"But, a Yosef wasn't a slave, he was a servant. And a vizier isn't a king." - would be the the objection

Right.

And Obama was never a slave (and neither was his family enslaved), and a U.S. President isn't a king (the Founders made the last point abundantly clear).

[Yochanan Lavie]

A biblical fundamentalist, Alexander Crummel (himself African_American) refuted bible based prejudice using scripture alone. His essay is "The Negro Race Not Under a Curse." Rev. Wilberforce and John Brown, both fundie Christians, were abolitionists based on biblical faith, not despite it. As for bible-based racists, the devil can quote scripture for his purposes.

(I have met many Ortho Jews, both racist and non-racist).

As for Obama, not everyone who opposes his policies is a racist. Many who dislike BHO would vote for Alan Keyes, for example.

(Disclosure: I am an independent of mixed conservative-libertarian views. I love the concept of a black president- it's high time- but dislike BHO's policies).

[paul stevens]

So the Palestinian paper written in Hebrew (Haaretz)claims that Russian/Jews dislike Obama because he's black? And of course our self hating blogger jumps to post that here.
In fact Russian Jews dislike Obama for the same reason Americans dislike Obama - he's an inexperienced statist who will destroy America and take down much of the free world with him

[justayid]

There does seem to be a strain of racism in Great Russian society, usually vented against folks from the caucasus, IIUC, but sometimes against africans, etc. I would like to find a way to express that that does not appear prejudiced and stereotyping against Russians.

[justayid]

"The neo-liberal Chicago school of economics gave us Bernard Madoff."

Not really. Ponzi schemes have been around for a long time. Also neoliberalism as used internationally is really much broader than the Chicago school.

"A little dose of Clement Atlee's "Commanding Heights" is necessary to redirect the American economy out of its current mess.

Not really. If you consider health care reform, keynsian fiscal stimulus, and emergency bailouts to be seizing the "commanding heights" I think you are just as confused about Obama's econ policies as are the various rightists calling it socialism.

[Yochanan Lavie]

I have met hardworking, non-racist Russians. As justayid opines, Great Russian society is xenophobic; my Russian friends tell me that. Under communism, Jews were Russified, and unfortunately often picked up those attitudes (as well as Soviet-style indolence). But it is equally racist to assume all Russian Jews buy into that mentality.

[William Burns]

Itchimayer,

Obama actually went up against Keyes in a race for US Senate from Illinois, and cleaned his clock. Sorry to kill the fantasy.

[alternative childcare]

Isn't Eskin the right wing fanatic who led the "pulsa d'nura" on Rabin? Why is anyone surprised by ultra-right wing sentiment coming out of his sick mouth? (oh, I forgot, the percentage of Palin fans here is higher than in the general population)

On the other hand, didn't many of the commentators on this site already assume that most of these Russians aren't Jews, even if they converted? Or are they now OK because they share your political views?

[nobody]

Liberals like this author feels the need to blame anyone else who doesn't accept her pathetic views and her messiah with equally pathetic and reprehensible far-left views. They point the blame with accusations like "racist" "ignorant" "extremist" etc etc. And especially they blame religion. Why won't you all just jump on board the train of my far-left liberal messiah figure? Why won't you just smile and nod and pretend all the rhetoric is true like I do? That sentiment is what underlies hit pieces like this. The rest is commentary.

[nobody]

The author feels the need to blame anyone who does not blindly accept her insane, reprehensible far left-wing liberal views and her messiah figure who embodies them. He (Obama) of course has equally deranged and reprehensible views.

So to cast the blame she throws around terms of accusation like "racist" "ignorant" "extremist" etc. And of course religion is primarily blamed. She wants to know, what keeps you from jumping on board the messiah train like I have? What prevents you from smiling and nodding like I do, and blindly accepting the man who will enforce on you my left wing hysteria? What prevents you from pretending all the rhetoric is true like I have? And how can I make the rest of society (or at least those who play along like I do) hate you for not doing so?

And so this is what underlies a leftwing hit piece like this. The rest is commentary.

[Responsible Citizen]

That's the point, Just. Thanks to the Chicago Boys and their Friedmanite/Thatcherite/Reaganite supply sideism Keynesism is the Commanding Heights in comparison. Frankly, I'd be very happy if Obama would fully adopt Atlee's program and give us our own NHS and state sponsored low cost housing for those in need.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Keyes would just rant about abortion whenever he appeared on a news-talk program, as if that was the one and only issue. He seemed like a very nice man, but he was nuts.
People in the media gave him a free ride because he was black. If he was white, he would have been dismissed as the anti-abortion one-note drummer that he was.

Likewise here, Keyes is spoken of in respectful terms by those who knew he was nuts and didn't stand a chance, but at least he's republican, and since he's black, you can say you're not a racist because you 'support' Keyes.

[itchiemayer]

Hey Burns - I know that. Like Keyes ever had a chance in IL. Please.

[itchiemayer]

Burns - I mean a debate which wasn't scripted like all debates are. Keyes is far, far more articulate than Obama. The Republican party in IL is on life support. WSC - Keyes is far more than a one trick pony. Far more intellectual than our President.

[Ben]

It looks like Russians are a favorite punching bag of both Israeli right and Israeli left. What a great position to be in! Choosing easy targets anyone?

[alternative childcare]

Ben: Don't forget to include the chareidi world as well, as in Sherman's outrageous statements. I suppose the Russians are now Israel's "Jews".

[notkeys]

Alan Keys is a joke (like his supporters)...ask Alan Dershowitz

As for Obama haters...Obama can never ever do any good, it is just the nature of the hater (masked racist)

Kissinger: Obama is like a chess player who is playing simultaneous chess and has opened his game with an unusual opening. Now he's got to play his hand as he plays his various counterparts. We haven't gotten beyond the opening game move yet. I have no quarrel with the opening move. Excellent!

[Russin PhD]

Non-Dear Racist Scott-Shmarya

This is not the first time that you non-farrely charge all Russians with racism. Btw loke what's mean Scot in Russian, this is exactelly you.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Russian PhD, your doctorate isn't in English grammar or spelling, is it?

[nobody]

"but at least he's republican, and since he's black, you can say you're not a racist because you 'support' Keyes."

But isn't that the definition of not being a racist? You support Keyes because he's republican and you like his views, not because he's black or white. I also like his views, and if he would become president that would be great. I LAMENT the fact that he is considered a fringe candidate that never stands a chance.

Does Keyes having more rightwing views make him "not black" in your eyes, therefore someone who likes him can still be racist? What a joke.

[Ben]

Looks like everyone has his/her own prejudaces, some dislike black others dislike russians. The only difference between 2 aforementioned groups is that ones who dislike blacks called racists, while the ones who dislike russians called freedom seeking liberals.

[Itchiemayer]

the obama administration came out with strong words when the abortion doc was killed, but the murder of a serviceman at a recruiting station by a convert to Islam yields nary a word from the Obama administration. I believe that this shows our President's true colors, no pun intended. It is no accident he is attracted to the Wrights and Ayers of the world, no accident at all. I'm sure some of you will try to defend his silence at the murder of a U.S. soldier at a recruiting station by this convert to Islam, so I am eager to hear your spin.

[ML]

What good exactly has hate ever accomplished?

[3rd goy]

If I recall correctly, the curse of Ham was really directed against Canan, his son. The curse had nothing to do with skin color, but with corruption of spirit. Canan's literal decendants were mostly driven out of Palastine by the Isrealites. The fact that this was not completed caused great pains to Israelie decendants. Perhaps the present day Palestinians are decandecendants. If this is true, the debt Joshua didn't accomplish is still comming due. I believe it is possible to be a spiritual decendant of Ham. Perhaps I myself may be at times. Please let's not all be that kind of decendant.

[Reader]

alternative childcare,
how about we shake YOUR family tree and see how many goyim fall out?

[Radical Feminist]

Because he is only half black does that make him only half cursed? I mean technically speaking that is.
The older I get the more I hate religion.

[Radical Feminist]

The curse had nothing to do with skin color,

Uh, the "curse" was him being made black, and thus everything to do with his skin color.

[Yochanan Lavie]

People, read Alexander Crummel's essay. Even if you take the account literally, racists have misread and misused the Ham story. I would post a link, but I can't seem to find one.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Here's the best I could find:

http://www.enotes.com/american-history-literature/blacks

http://www.answers.com/topic/alexander-crummell

[justayid]

er, ben, I dont dislike russians. I pointed out that there is a strain of racism in great russian society, and I think thats undeniable. As YL pointed out, there are plenty of non-racist Russians. There is certainly nothing intrinsic to being russian origin that makes one a racist - (self disclosure - my grandfather came from Grodno - the difference between my background and that of recent emigrants from the FSU is only that my folks left while they were still Yiddish speaking and had absorbed little great Russian culture)

[justayid]

Itchie

a minutes googling found this

"The White House released the following statement Wednesday in response to the shooting at Little Rock, Arkansas of a military recruiting center that resulted in the death of Private William Long.
I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence against two brave young soldiers who were doing their part to strengthen our armed forces and keep our country safe. I would like to wish Quinton Ezeagwula a speedy recovery, and to offer my condolences and prayers to William Long’s family as they mourn the loss of their son."

So either you are a liar, or you are taking the words of liars at face value.

[justayid]

RF - if its all about the bible, how is that so many bible oriented jews and christians have been so active in the civil rights movement?

I really do think this is more about a quirk in Russian culture.

[itchiemayer]

justayid - I was wrong, or you can call me a liar. I don't care. Anyhow, what a pathetically weak statement by BHO in light of who committed the crime. The left goes crazy over the pro-life wackos, but the Islamo-fascists get a pass. The L.A. airport shooting, the Seattle Jewish Federation, the army recruiting station - how much more of this crap do we have to endure before we get the point. I think some of you are incapable of getting the point. Whenever a Muslim does these things, the media excuses it with references to mental instabiity, etc..they make excuses for these lowlifes. Again, what a pathetic, weak statement by our inarticulate, stumbling, bumbling, Wright loving commander in chief. None of you have a problem with his comments on wanting a civilian force, one that would be as well funded as the military. What?! Do any of you see the danger and ridiculousness of that statement. he wants his own brownshirts. as well funded as the military? The man said it on the campaign trail. It is fact. It is insane.
shamrya - I pledged a few dollars to you a few weeks ago when you were going through your burn-out phase. I plan on giving $5 today or tomorrow. Ciao

[itchiemayer]

I know I sound like a crazy person when I go on a rant like the one above, but really I'm not. Just frustrated with the many things I perceive as being bad for the country.