Libels about the Talmud are almost as old as the Talmud itself, and have been used as a justification for centuries of Jew-hate. Misquoting Talmudic texts or taking them out of context is an age-old method used to incite antisemitism.
In fact, most people do not even know what the Talmud is: the textual record of generations of rabbinic debate about law, philosophy, and biblical interpretation, compiled between the 3rd and 8th centuries and structured as commentary on the Mishnah with stories interwoven.
The libels continue to this very day and are being disseminated online by the worst of the worst.
The supposed quotes and meaning behind them that we are seeing these days come from a Third Reich book: Unmoral im Talmud (translation: Immorality In The Talmud) By Nazi Alfred Rosenberg.
I have decided to publish this new series as an online, easy-to-find record for fighting these libels. The responses are primarily based on those given by Rabbi Yisrael M. Eliashiv, who goes by the name Shevereshtus on Twtter/X, but in some cases also other sources. Each post will deal with one of the libels.
Baba Mezia 114b: Gentiles are not humans, they are beasts
Yet again, another case of mistranslation, and taking something completely out of context.
In Baba Mezia 114b, there’s a discussion about the idea of ritual purity, and whether the corpse of a non-Jew renders you impure if you touch their grave or not. According to Rabbi Shimon ben Yohai, it doesn’t, and he quotes a verse in relation to ritual purity that says that only Jews are called “Adam”, commonly translated as “man.”
But the literal translation of “Adam” as “man” is not correct because context matters.
When referring to human vs animal, the term “Bnei Adam” is used, which means “Sons of Adam” (in this case, referring to the Adam of “Adam and Eve”). In this situation, “Adam” is actually referring to the people of Israel collectively as though it is a single being (like Adam was a single being). And in the context, what it’s saying is that the rituals are for the people of Israel (the Jews), not for the Gentiles.
Elsewhere in the Talmud, (e.g. Gittin 47a and Avodah Zarah 3a), the Talmud does considers the phrase “Bnei Adam” (sons of man) to refer also to Gentiles. Clearly, Gentiles are considered human. Why then does the Talmud in Baba Metzia 114b understand that Gentiles are not considered “Adam”?
The explanation is that these are different terms and only a superficial reading would render the term “Adam” in Baba Metzia as man. Gentiles are absolutely considered human as biology clearly dictates; there are no physiological differences between Jews and Gentiles. All people are ultimately descended from the same ancestors, Noah and Adam. However, the Jews, as a unified nation, are one organic entity. We are obligated to treat each other as close family members and are responsible for each other’s actions.
When the Talmud sees the Hebrew word “Adam” it sees an allusion to Adam of Genesis 1-5 who was at one time the only person. The Talmud understands this as referring to the Jewish people who are an organic unit like one person. Gentiles do not have this organic national bond with each other and are therefore excluded from this concept.
Other terms referring to people, “Bnei Adam” (sons of Adam) or “HaAdam” (the man), are understood to refer to the species Homo sapien of which Gentiles are obviously members, just as Jews are.
Thus, with regard to ritual impurity and holy oil, which are uniquely Jewish concepts, the Talmud sees an exclusion to all those who are not part of the organic Jewish nation. With regard to practical matters such as the purchase of land or individual matters such as spiritual status, Gentiles are included. An understanding of all of the relevant passages in the Talmud shows that Gentiles are considered human but not Jewish.
Note also how the “They are beasts” does not appear in the quoted verse. That’s because it was added by the same antisemites seeking to mistranslate and misinterpret the verse. Not only that, the only animals mentioned here are ‘sheep”, to which the Jews are compared!
