It was admirable how rapidly the British populace wiped the dust, rubble and blood off its lapels and leapt back into daily life. But this — this transcends any notions of stiff upper lips.
On Friday, July 29, a coven of 250 scholars will convene at the aptly named Reading University and deconstruct the vast oeuvre of J.K. Rowlings’ ubiquitous boy wizard, Harry Potter.
Naturally, one of the hot topics will be a delving into the conjurer’s Jewish roots — is Harry a Hebrew?
Given it’s an odd notion for a set of novels packed with incessant retellings of enchanted Christmas feasts featuring floating décor and oodles of regenerating vats of puddings and meats (and goblets of pumpkin juice). It’s enough to inspire December envy in any non-Christian reader (until one realizes that, though magical, the edible fare is still English).
Still, Harry’s Hebrew hook has been a subject of much discussion, and not just among (ahem) intellectuals. The coupling of “Harry Potter” and “Jewish” yields thousands and thousands of hits on Google — and that was before this editorial.
Much like those who are convinced the moon landings took place on a soundstage in Nevada, Harry Potter’s Jewish adherents snatch snippets of evidence and weave together a semblance of a case. We’ll skip the minutiae but note that, like any Jewish boy, Potter is inflicted with a scar shortly after birth. Unlike most Jewish boys, Potter’s scar is on his forehead — which would put a mohel out of business.
Less tenuously, many Jewish scholars have latched onto Harry’s tale of overcoming hardship to cultivate his special gifts as an allegory for Jewish strength in the face of persecution. Or, according to Cia Sautter, one of the presenters at the Reading seminar, Harry’s story “follows the kabbalistic ‘tree of life’ sefirot system.”
If j. must offer an opinion on ruminations such as the above, we’ll say, “That’s nice, have fun — but don’t forget to pay your utility bill.”
Seeking evidence of Potter’s Jewishness is certainly less repugnant than spiritual leaders’ damning of the series for being anti-religious and promoting witchcraft as a lifestyle, an action only a small step down the lunatic ladder from condemning a Teletubby or SpongeBob as gay or alleging satanic messages in the “Mr. Ed” theme song.
On the other hand, claiming that Potter is exhibiting “Jewish” characteristics such as bravery, honesty and loyalty reeks of Jewish chauvinism. All that is good is not Jewish, and all that is bad is not not Jewish.
Enjoy the books — and if we catch you buying a copy of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” we know, we know. It’s for your children.