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In a sense the attempt to formulate therapeutic proposals is premature. Much of the research work substantiating my thesis “The jew as Symbol” has not yet been presented in systematic form. For example, exposition of the Poisoning Myth as fear of super-ego, the jew as devil myth as fear oof the bad father, the Blood Accusation and other myths should take temporary precedence over this paper. Yet the desperate need for therapeutic indication from all sides seems ample justification for ‘putting the cart before the horse’.
Briefly, my thesis “the jew as symbol” ascribes to the antisemite the perception of the jew as the personification of the super-ego, father ideology. The hatred of the jew enables the Antisemite to deny the resolution of the Oedipus situation. Father, for the Antisemite, once again an external antagonist, can now be fought on a different plane. It is not my intention at this point to review the evidence (1, 2, 3, 4,) for this or a similar formulation (or to engage in polemics how much of the ‘truth’ it has grasped), but I shall proceeding from my findings, state what they would imply for therapy.
As I have pointed out elsewhere (5), the jew symbolizes the punitive aspects of parental and societal authority. The roots of Antisemitism lie partially in fear of the jew which is synonimous with fear of punishment. Fear of punishment is generated whenever guilt is experienced. Contemporary Anti-Defamation propaganda (6), unaware of this unconscious identification, perpetuates the vicious cycle. Its appeal for the persecuted jjews, its denunciation of all persecutors, creates an atmosphere of guilt. The unconscious anticipation of punishment to be exacted is fertile soil for the ever present Antisemitic propaganda.