In North America, the greatest threat to the Jewish people is not the external force of antisemitism, but the internal forces of apathy, inertia and ignorance of our own heritage.
Interpretation
The real danger to the Jewish community comes from within rather than from outside hostility.
Michael Steinhardt emphasizes that the greater challenge facing the Jewish people in North America is not the overt antisemitism from outside forces, but rather a lack of engagement with their own cultural heritage. This internal apathy, inertia, and ignorance poses a significant threat to the vitality and continuity of the Jewish identity and community.
In practice
During a community meeting, this quote could be used to inspire a discussion on the importance of cultural education.
The sort of dependence that results from exchange, i.e., from commercial transactions, is a reciprocal dependence. We cannot be dependent upon a foreigner without his being dependent on us. Now, this is what constitutes the very essence of society. To sever natural interrelations is not to make oneself independent, but to isolate oneself completely.
One of the earliest resurrection scenes in the Bible is that of Thomas demanding evidence - he wanted to see, to touch, to prove. Those who question and probe and debate are heirs of the apostles just as much as the most fervent of believers.
We are anxious because we do not know what roles to pursue, what principles for action to believe in. Our individual anxiety, somewhat like that of the nation, is a basic confusion and bewilderment about where we are going.
And would'st thou evil for his good repay?
Jesus took His flesh from the flesh of Mary
If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example.
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