Harry Potter - a closet Jew?

By Rosally Saltsman

Harry Potter books are becoming contenders for the title of bestseller of all time - a title held heretofore by the Bible. This isn't surprising, considering many of the themes in the series echo traditional Jewish values.

Wizards keep themselves separate from muggles (non-magical people). They live, work, and study in their own community and have their own values, rules, traditions, and way of life.

The students and faculty of Hogwarts come primarily from a noble lineage of wizards, though one can become a wizard through diligent study (and an innate spark).

The curriculum also resonates with Jewish beliefs. Charms class demonstrates that we affect the world with our speech; Potions teaches that what we eat affects our essence; Transfiguration classes teach self transformation. Care of Magical Creatures students learn to respect all living things; Divination class conveys the fact that there is meaning to the changing seasons and movement of the planets, and Defense against the Dark Arts emphasizes the need for constant vigilance in fighting the evil forces of the world.

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Is there anything here that in any way relates to Israeli/Palestinian conflict?

I'm not bothering to register with JPost to find out..

the self-image is more than a bit relevant.

The story, of course, is humorous. But then again, not that humorous.

The idea here is the self-image of being something special. Wizards. Smarter, better, more powerful.

The Palestinians are the Dursleys. Vicious, but fools.

Harry Potter is so popular because EVERYONE can identify with the characters in the book.

Harry!

seems to me

This has nothing to do with I/P