"..The book is called The Israel Test, and you will want to know what that test is. I will let Gilder tell you — he has some questions: “What is your attitude toward people who excel you in the creation of wealth or in other accomplishment? Do you aspire to their excellence, or do you seethe at it? Do you admire and celebrate exceptional achievement, or do you impugn it and seek to tear it down?”

Gilder’s idea is that people who have a problem with Israel have a problem with human efflorescence, freedom, genius, and difference. He reminds me of Paul Johnson, who says that those who hate America in fact hate humanity itself: because people from all over the world gather in America to live as fully, freely, and happily as possible..."

Early in his book (as later), Gilder discusses the astounding success of Jews. “In countries where Jews are free to invent and create, they pile up conspicuous wealth” — and in so doing “arouse envy and suspicion.” The author quotes Gorky, who said, “Whatever nonsense the anti-Semites may talk, they dislike the Jew only because he is obviously better, more adroit, and more capable of work than they are.”



Pass This Test on National Review / Digital