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.
Bolshevism is to be reckoned with Mohammedanism rather than with Christianity and Buddhism. Christianity and Buddhism are primarily personal religions, with mystical doctrines and a love of contemplation. Mohammedanism and Bolshevism are practical, social, unspiritual, concerned to win the empire of the world.
What do we talk about? Just ordinary things. What happened today, or books we've read, or tomorrow's weather, you know. Don't tell me you're wondering if people jump to their feet and shout stuff like 'It'll rain tomorrow if a polar bear eats the stars tonight!
Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.
The Forgotten Man is delving away in patient industry, supporting his family, paying his taxes, casting his vote, supporting the church and the school, reading his newspaper, and cheering for the politician of his admiration, but he is the only one for whom there is no provision in the great scramble and the big divide. Such is the Forgotten Man. He works, he votes, generally he prays β but he always pays β yes, above all, he pays.
It is life, more than death, that has no limits.
Whenever nature leaves a hole in a person's mind, she generally plasters it over with a thick coat of self-conceit.
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