This isn’t a list of banal, cliché habits you’ll read in an “Introduction to Israel” pamphlet. These are the invisible instincts you only absorb by living here.
It is also an ironic “aberration” that Israelis are among the most “happy” (satisfied?) people in the world, (8th in the world in ‘25 “Happiness Poll”). IMHO, it’s a Jewish thing. The fact that we’ve survived for 2000 years in the Diaspora with such Jew Hatred, persecution… and, here we are. How can we NOT be optimistic?
Here we are… only 80 years removed from the Shoah, where we lost 1/3 of our people, and just look at the success story of Israel and another “Golden Age of Judaism” in the Diaspora.
But, alas, here we are with the Jew Hatred rearing its ugly head, once, again. For Christ’s sake, that didn’t take long.
To argue with authority in Israel i think there’s the assumption that you should know wtf you are talking about and not just be taken over by “feelings.”
When I volunteered on a kibbutz after Yom Kippur war, I experienced firsthand some of the unique Israeli habits. There was one particular thing that made a very strong point of how fleeting authority is. The managers of a department became staff after 6 months and on rotation basis the next worker-bee became a manager. This also promoted incredible cross-training and leadership development. It’s been known that kibbutzniks were also the most fearless warriors. I understand that similar principles were also adopted by our elite Delta and Seal teams.
I really appreciate the section on war and moral clarity. I've thought along similar lines for some time now but that section deepens and reinforces my understanding.
We have a 4000 year-old culture, which is continuous and alive today, which helps. I have always regarded Authority as there to be rebelled against with the application of the (new) facts and with absolute reason, and then refashioned into fresh thinking. This is how we survived, by adapting, and doing so quickly when needed. Thankyou Israel! You are both the Reason and the cause. When Jews act righteously then Jews can claim to be covenanted. Personally I have a lot of Tschuva (repentance) to do before coming even close, sadly.
I was struck by how close two of these are to Indian habits - 1. Politics is personal and almost everyone, regardless of background, discusses it and has an opinion. 2. Improvisation. A Hindi word for it is jugaad - cobbling things or ideas together to make stuff work.
Soldiers questioning authority - is that really a good idea?
So it’s not exactly as you think of it. There is an openness to a variety of opinion and debate, even in the military. In before action briefings and after action debriefing. Yet when a decision is made, people stick with the mission. That sort of flat hierarchy and respect for analysis and innovation is part of why Israeli startups are so adaptable and successful.
This is a gem. I have lived here for almost 50 years in total. Everything you cite here IS so instinctive that I never thought of it so explicitly. Although not meant to be funny, your observations made me laugh. This is how it is and I wouldn't have it any other way!
"Conversations are loud. Debates are intense." When I read that my first thought was about "debate" in the Knesset as it reminded me of the first time I heard a recording of the British Parliament in the House of Commons. At this distance my thinking is that Israel thrives and survives because everyone is involved whether it be politics or war. Being a perpetual target does sharpen the mind and I think this causes Israelis to just get on with it. Solve the problem, grow the country, and improvisation IS a strength.
Josh, this post was one of your best.
It is also an ironic “aberration” that Israelis are among the most “happy” (satisfied?) people in the world, (8th in the world in ‘25 “Happiness Poll”). IMHO, it’s a Jewish thing. The fact that we’ve survived for 2000 years in the Diaspora with such Jew Hatred, persecution… and, here we are. How can we NOT be optimistic?
Here we are… only 80 years removed from the Shoah, where we lost 1/3 of our people, and just look at the success story of Israel and another “Golden Age of Judaism” in the Diaspora.
But, alas, here we are with the Jew Hatred rearing its ugly head, once, again. For Christ’s sake, that didn’t take long.
But… know what? Yeheyey b’seder. It’ll be okay.
This is a beautiful article
To argue with authority in Israel i think there’s the assumption that you should know wtf you are talking about and not just be taken over by “feelings.”
That goes without being said.
When I volunteered on a kibbutz after Yom Kippur war, I experienced firsthand some of the unique Israeli habits. There was one particular thing that made a very strong point of how fleeting authority is. The managers of a department became staff after 6 months and on rotation basis the next worker-bee became a manager. This also promoted incredible cross-training and leadership development. It’s been known that kibbutzniks were also the most fearless warriors. I understand that similar principles were also adopted by our elite Delta and Seal teams.
I really appreciate the section on war and moral clarity. I've thought along similar lines for some time now but that section deepens and reinforces my understanding.
We have a 4000 year-old culture, which is continuous and alive today, which helps. I have always regarded Authority as there to be rebelled against with the application of the (new) facts and with absolute reason, and then refashioned into fresh thinking. This is how we survived, by adapting, and doing so quickly when needed. Thankyou Israel! You are both the Reason and the cause. When Jews act righteously then Jews can claim to be covenanted. Personally I have a lot of Tschuva (repentance) to do before coming even close, sadly.
Thank you, Joshua. I appreciate your humour and the article was educational as well.
I was struck by how close two of these are to Indian habits - 1. Politics is personal and almost everyone, regardless of background, discusses it and has an opinion. 2. Improvisation. A Hindi word for it is jugaad - cobbling things or ideas together to make stuff work.
Soldiers questioning authority - is that really a good idea?
So it’s not exactly as you think of it. There is an openness to a variety of opinion and debate, even in the military. In before action briefings and after action debriefing. Yet when a decision is made, people stick with the mission. That sort of flat hierarchy and respect for analysis and innovation is part of why Israeli startups are so adaptable and successful.
Yes, it’s a good idea. I am a U.S. citizen who was 18 in 1970. Ever hear of Viet Nam?
Not everyone takes the same view of Vietnam or any other war.
As is your right in a democratic state.
Number 3 is amazing.
Loved it from Canada.
Non Jew, and yes it is a beautiful article.
Am Yisrael Chai
This is a gem. I have lived here for almost 50 years in total. Everything you cite here IS so instinctive that I never thought of it so explicitly. Although not meant to be funny, your observations made me laugh. This is how it is and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Joshua, thank you for sharing these five insights.
The question … ‘Does this materially affect my life, or the people closest to me?’ Is so very true.
This article is especially helpful for people who have no understanding or a misunderstanding of what drives Israeli mentality as a whole.
Thank you
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
Bless you all. Israel is an eternal flame.
"Conversations are loud. Debates are intense." When I read that my first thought was about "debate" in the Knesset as it reminded me of the first time I heard a recording of the British Parliament in the House of Commons. At this distance my thinking is that Israel thrives and survives because everyone is involved whether it be politics or war. Being a perpetual target does sharpen the mind and I think this causes Israelis to just get on with it. Solve the problem, grow the country, and improvisation IS a strength.
Thank you Joshua. Beautiful insights.