It’s not a paradox. That which represents the highest good is often hated by those which do not live up to those ideals. That’s where the strength part comes in. We don’t need to be beloved. We need to be good and in doing so, respected as a divine example to the world. Best to you and
It is one thing to be despised for our “aloneness” and yet another to be bullied and murdered for it. During your essay, you stated. “…protect what is ours.” Isn’t that crux of this war? I was born in March of 1948. I am 6 weeks older than the state of Israel. I remember as a boy, my mother put money in the pischka every day for Israel to be used for planting trees , building hospitals and schools. ( In retrospect, I suspect also to buy armaments to help protect those same Israelis and their land.). The Israelis were “ healing their land ( and the world )in the name of HaShem by example , making the desert bloom. Doing it alone. The Kibbutzniks of Be’eri, Nir Oz and the others decimated on 10/7/23 tried by example to extend that healing to its Palestinian neighbors. They all believed that in their hearts and souls, right up to the moment that the slaughter began. We Jews are also a warrior people, who fought for what is ours.For every Moses , there was a Joshua. For every Ben -Gurion, there was a Zabotinsky and Begin. All in the name of HaShem. I agree we are alone .
Rawidowicz’s philosophy speaks to me of relativism which is a rallying cry of the antisemitic Left. There are some absolute truths about good v. evil and who represents either.
"That families will — please God — stop burying their sons and daughters." This won't happen anytime soon unless what Golda Meir said long ago happens "There will be peace in the Middle East only when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us." Considering that becoming a martyr is a virtue in the Islamic world it'll be some time, if ever, that what Mrs. Meir, said actually happens.
I want my children to have the courage to be despised and to also welcome, and accepting of being beloved. However, I do not want them to feel any more beloved than the next man, no matter what hat he’s wearing.
How do you expect the Palestinians to find peace given that their entire identity is built upon hating and killing Jews, backed by the education and funding of the UN and the European Union?
They are not caught in this nightmarish war. They are caught on the losing side of a war that gave them great pleasure and joy until their homes and communities were destroyed for being weapons caches, rocket launchers, and tunnel egress in service to the barbaric, death cult terrorists that they worship and aspire to be like
Careless thinking, Sir, because it is the despisers who are entirely in the wrong: Judaism at its best ranks amongst the best in the world. So It is not the ‘courage to be despised’, but the Courage to face down the despisers which builds resilience.
It’s not a paradox. That which represents the highest good is often hated by those which do not live up to those ideals. That’s where the strength part comes in. We don’t need to be beloved. We need to be good and in doing so, respected as a divine example to the world. Best to you and
Wonderful article. 👏👏🙏
It is one thing to be despised for our “aloneness” and yet another to be bullied and murdered for it. During your essay, you stated. “…protect what is ours.” Isn’t that crux of this war? I was born in March of 1948. I am 6 weeks older than the state of Israel. I remember as a boy, my mother put money in the pischka every day for Israel to be used for planting trees , building hospitals and schools. ( In retrospect, I suspect also to buy armaments to help protect those same Israelis and their land.). The Israelis were “ healing their land ( and the world )in the name of HaShem by example , making the desert bloom. Doing it alone. The Kibbutzniks of Be’eri, Nir Oz and the others decimated on 10/7/23 tried by example to extend that healing to its Palestinian neighbors. They all believed that in their hearts and souls, right up to the moment that the slaughter began. We Jews are also a warrior people, who fought for what is ours.For every Moses , there was a Joshua. For every Ben -Gurion, there was a Zabotinsky and Begin. All in the name of HaShem. I agree we are alone .
Wonderful essay!!!!.....thank you so much.......Am Israel Chai.......
So true that it hurts
Rawidowicz’s philosophy speaks to me of relativism which is a rallying cry of the antisemitic Left. There are some absolute truths about good v. evil and who represents either.
"That families will — please God — stop burying their sons and daughters." This won't happen anytime soon unless what Golda Meir said long ago happens "There will be peace in the Middle East only when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us." Considering that becoming a martyr is a virtue in the Islamic world it'll be some time, if ever, that what Mrs. Meir, said actually happens.
We are allowed to defend ourselves from others actions, but we are not responsible for them.
Thank you for this essay. Well said.
I want my children to have the courage to be despised and to also welcome, and accepting of being beloved. However, I do not want them to feel any more beloved than the next man, no matter what hat he’s wearing.
How do you expect the Palestinians to find peace given that their entire identity is built upon hating and killing Jews, backed by the education and funding of the UN and the European Union?
They are not caught in this nightmarish war. They are caught on the losing side of a war that gave them great pleasure and joy until their homes and communities were destroyed for being weapons caches, rocket launchers, and tunnel egress in service to the barbaric, death cult terrorists that they worship and aspire to be like
Absolutely love this!! Very moving.
Careless thinking, Sir, because it is the despisers who are entirely in the wrong: Judaism at its best ranks amongst the best in the world. So It is not the ‘courage to be despised’, but the Courage to face down the despisers which builds resilience.