Abstract: The Jewish question holds an importance that transcends times. Anti-Semitism and the subsequent series of catastrophes as the emblematic events of the Western 20th century have been integrated into the scope of social theory， serving as a significant supplement to classical social theory. Marx， Durkheim, and Simmel each dealt with their “Jewish experience” in their own ways， presenting it as an objective issue in social theory. Amidst the comprehensive crisis of the 20th century in Western society， Arendt， building on the foundation of classic theorists’“Jewish propositions”， offered new perspectives and directions for the Jewish question. She discovered that Jews exist both “within society” and “outside society”. Here， “society” is not just a living environment or experience， but also a “condition”. The term “pariah” objectively describes the relationship between Jews and “society”. This paper first discusses the development of Western modern nation-states and the emancipation of Jews, then focuses on the situation and status of “wealthy Jews” and “Jewish intellectuals” in modern Western society. It demonstrates how the prominent social status of a small number of wealthy Jews in the rise of modern nation-states is linked to the tragic fate of all Jews， and how the tension between the Jewish intelligentsia and the European high society has given rise to a representative introspective spirituality. Finally, the paper attempts to discuss the Jewish question in social theory and position Arendt’s exploration of this issue within this theoretical context.

Key words: pariah, society, Body Politic, assimilation, Jewishness