Be Stubborn... In A Positive Way!

You may have heard of the recent distressing news coming from Beit Shemesh in Israel. With the media latching on to this story, you probably have. I have strongly protested the use of violence and mayhem (as have many others - including this official statement from Chabad Headquarters in New York. Read this article too). Expected, but equally deplorable, is the use of this story by some to promote their ideologically driven agendas.

All sides of the matter can be “blamed” on our unique Jewish characteristic described in the Torah as “stiff-necked” (See Exodus 32:9). We have the ability to behave in irrational ways; this trait can be traced all the way back to when Jewish people sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf barely 6 weeks after the receiving the Torah and witnessing the awesome revelation at Mount Sinai.

We see this being played out in the recent stories out of Israel. The incitement to violence by Jews against other Jews; the retaliation by Jews against other Jews. And the terrible way this whole story has been manipulated by the Israeli press, public and even politicians.

But there is a positive explanation for the “stiff-necked” nature of Jews. It is a special inner strength, a quality that has kept us alive throughout all the years of exile and persecution. It is this inner strength that enables us to continue to live as Jews in any environment (even Folsom/El Dorado Hills!).

Let us focus on the positive aspect of our “stiff-neckedness” rather than allowing this trait to be expressed in an unholy manner. Let’s commit to expressing our “stiff-neckedness” by being involved in the local Jewish community and bringing Judaism and Jewish practice to our homes and families - even though it’s not in vogue. Let’s express our “stiff-neckedness” by being proud of who we are and not hiding our identity - after all we have what to be proud of and we have the innate ability to be “stiff-necked”. Let’s use it in a positive way!