abt ur Judaism post! what do u think abt how superman was created by jewish men and influenced by jewish figures (like Moses) and elements? is it cool, weird, good, lacking or anything? would u like it to be more apparent with how they write him?
Great question. Iāve had a few posts about this in the past, and for some reason it rubs some people the wrong way, which I donāt really get.Ā
My opinion (just mine) on Supermanās Jewish Origins:
If you dig a little deeper, almost everything integral to Supermanās character (which Iāll share later) reflects Jewish concepts of justice, refugee status, persecution, and assimilation.Ā
Personally, I think as long as folks remember that background, and respect it, Supermanās character can continue to evolve and change. The exception to this (for me) was Snyderās Jesus-heavy motifs of Clark/Superman in BVS, which, as you mentioned, could have easily been subbed with Moses elements.Ā
The story of Jewish persecution is, in many ways, completely separate from Jesus. It happened long before he was even around. But that can be tough to convey to audiences that donāt know the Jewish history behind Supermanās origins, and indeed see the white/Christian characterization of Clark as anĀ āall Americanā hero and donāt think much beyond it.Ā
So -- what about Superman is actually Jewish, or Jewish-inspired?Ā
The answer is, surprisingly, a lot. I skimmed a few articles to refresh my memory on this, so hereās a few examples:
Kal-Elās origin on Krypton -- a failing planet about to explode -- and his hurried flight by parents desperately trying to save him from death, and staying behind themselves as heās sent to earth, is a direct reference to the common Jewish story of flight at the beginning of the 20th century.Ā
Supermanās creators were the children of Jewish immigrants. More specifically, the children of Jewish immigrants fleeing 1930ā²s Europe and its impending destruction. Sound familiar?
In the Holocaust, many Jewish families would have to make the terrible decision to smuggle their children out of ghettos or camps and into other countries, while they remained behind.Ā
Clarkās characterization is influenced heavily by his lost connection to Krypton, his parents, and his powers. This longing is in conflict to the happy, simple life he leads in Kansas.Ā
Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution, as well as their American children, often felt like they were livingĀ āin two worldsā. Tradition warred with assimilation, or the need to hide and stay safe, and Jewish Americans growing up in this period often didnāt know where they belonged.Ā
Clark often faces villains or forces that make him choose between his Kryptonian heritage, and his life on Earth.Ā
Often, this forces a comparison between Superman and Moses, as well -- an important Jewish figure who was also cast out by Jewish parents into gentile hands for his own safety, who grew up and discovered his Jewish community was at war with the adoptive life he had lived.Ā
In the Torah, or the scrolls which contain the original Old Testament, the Hebrew suffixĀ āelā meansĀ āof God.ā It denotes angels (Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, etc) as well as other biblical names.
Kal-El would meanĀ āvoice of Godā
Jor-El would meanĀ āGod will upliftā or theĀ āuplifting of Godā
Superman as a modernĀ āGolemā
Though not directly referenced, many have drawn connections between Clarkās ability to turn into Superman, a defender of the weak and purveyor of Justice, as an allusion to the Jewish concept of a Golem.Ā
A Golem is a magical clay figure that can be brought to life by a Hebrew scroll placed into its mouth. Historically, it is said to protect the Jewish community, those battling antisemitism, and those who are powerless.Ā
This connection is bolstered by one of supermanās creators losing his father to a shooting in New York as a child, and feeling powerless against such injustice.Ā
So, why is an immigrant story of assimilation inherently Jewish?Ā
Another great question. Isnāt the immigrant story of seeking refuge in an unfamiliar world universal, in many ways?Ā
Yes, it definitely can be. But I would make the argument that Supermanās creators, the context of 1930ā²s Europe, and the Jewish concepts of justice (and naming) woven into Supermanās characterization indicate that this story is inherently about the Jewish experience.Ā
As a final point, I would bring up the devastation that the Holocaust had on the Jewish global population. Just like Krypton, much of the historical culture, traditions, and treasures were destroyed. Jews are a minority in the world, and their numbers continue to dwindle every year. Clark is, in many ways, one of the last Kryptonians, if not the very last.Ā
This story, even subtly woven into a comic series, resonates with me and many other Jews. It acknowledges the missing branches in our family trees, the forgotten traditions, and the pain of continuing those in a smaller and smaller community of fellow Jews every year.Ā
