Solzhenitsyn and the Jewish Problem
(Russia Insider)
Solzhenitsyn’s Damning History of the Jews in Russia – a Review
“The Jews accumulated wealth by cooperating with each other. (p. 31).”
“They made profits by taking the peasants’ grain to the point of impoverishing them (and causing famine), turning it into brandy, and then encouraging drunkenness. (p. 21, 24).”
“Jews forced peasants into lifelong debt and crushing poverty by requiring payment, in cattle and tools, for liquor. (p. 31).”
The translation of Solzhenitsyn’s book appears to have been done without permission from his family, and this might be why this lengthy and detailed review is no longer available on the page of the book on Amazon.com, where it originally appeared.
The book might disappear altogether from Amazon, so if you want to get your Kindle copy, act now. Otherwise you can find it on many sources on the internet.
The translator, Columbus Falco, describes the censorship of this book when it appeared in 2002:
“Published in the original Russian in 2002, the book was received with a firestorm of rage and denunciation from the literary and media world, from the Jews, and from almost the entire intelligentsia of the established order in the West…
Immense efforts have been made by the Russian authorities and also by the Western liberal democratic power structure to ignore 200 YEARS TOGETHER, to suppress it as much as possible, and above all to prevent and interdict the book’s translation into foreign languages, most especially into English, which has become essentially the worldwide language of our epoch…
The Russian authorities have to this date refused to allow any official English translation of the book to be published”. (p. 2).
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLZHENITSYN’S MAGNUM OPUS
So what is so naughty, naughty about this book?
Most of it consists of unremarkable information that can be found in standard, non-censored texts. [For details, see comments.]
Agree with author Solzhenitsyn or not, but recognize the fact that he is no lightweight. Solzhenitsyn goes into considerable detail about many different historical epochs, and clearly has a deep knowledge of the issues that he raises. His approach is balanced. He is sympathetic towards Jews as well as critical of Jews.
The latter evidently does not sit well with many, because it does not comply with the standard Judeocentric narrative, in which Jews are just victims and can do no wrong. Worse yet, a famous writer is bringing sometimes-unflattering information about Jews to light, and this is threatening. Hence the censorship.
RI’s Charles Bausman – God bless him – tends to go in for attention grabbing headlines. Solzhenitsyn’s book is not “damning,” but, rather, balanced and on the whole charitable. I would have said, simply, “honest” rather than “damning.” Like another prophet in the wilderness accused of “anti-Semitism,” Roman Catholic writer Michael Hoffman, Solzhenitsyn’s love for the Jewish people is plain to see. If you love people, you tell them the truth, and, above all, you desire their salvation. This has to be the starting point for all honest historical evaluation from the Orthodox viewpoint.
As a former Jew, I can personally say that the “Jews cannot do anything wrong” mentality plagues even the most liberal jurisdictions.
Yes, it’s everywhere. Logical and open discourse is impossible. Even a mild critique like Solzhenitsyn’s is regarded as “Anti-Semitic.”
Dear Father Steven: Yes, the sensationalist web author should have characterized Solzhenitsyn’s book not as “damning” but rather as Solzhenitsyn’s sincere attempt to look at an issue fairly, without Western political correctness as a limitation. Speaking of political correctness, some of us traditional Orthodox Christians in several parts of the world and in numerous synods have been waiting for four years for the old Father Steven Allen to speak out against the growing influence since 2014 of the false ideas of Metropolitan Cyprian the Elder of Oropos and Phyle. Those false ideas have been put into practical effect and you are now in some type of ecclesiastical relationship through Metropolitan Agafangel with Irenaeus of Jerusalem and through Bishop Ambrose (Baird) and the retired Bishop of Alania with both the Moscow and Georgian Patriarchates in South Ossetia. So many of us want to hear the old strong (not “politically correct” voice) of Father Steven Allen. Along with the growing Cyprianism, there is also the unjustified preference for Metropolitan Agafangel and the unjustified hostility to the ROAC, RTOC, and STOC, who all reject Cyprianism/Agafangelism. We want to hear your voice of conscience openly protest this! Please.
I doubt that “many” even know who Fr. Steven (Old or New) even is. 🙂 Well, I was taught never to undertake something new during Great Lent. Get back to me after Pascha.
You are well known and your witness has been appreciated internationally. Have a good Holy Week and Pascha! Καλὴ Ἀνάστασις!