Judaism, Harry Potter and Antisemitism Entire books have been written on Potter philosophy and Torah wisdom (see Moment’s interview with Dov Krulwich), and some commentators have posited that its magicians—chosen people  misunderstood by others—are essentially Jewish.  Yet, others also a postulate a rather unfortunate perspective that J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter series are guilty of perpetuating an antisemitic slur: underhandedly equating the book’s loathsome goblins with Jews. The Antisemitic Goblin-as-Jew The goblin-as-Jew allegation deserves assessment, partly because antisemitism is so serious, but also because if the complaint is true, millions of Jews, including yours truly, could not continue to happily reread and rewatch one of the greatest stories ever told. The theory—as put forth by one its leading proponents Matt Zeitlin—is pretty simple: The goblins, especially as depicted in the movies, are universally hooked nosed, short, unattractive, and green. …Professor...

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