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The Secret to our Survival
By Irwin Huberman

What is it about Judaism that has enabled it to survive for
thousands of years, in spite of constant prejudice, harassment and
affliction?

Since our inception, Jews have been under attack, both in Israel,
and throughout the world. How could any religion withstand such
pressure over such a prolonged period?

In fact, the odds have been so stacked against the Jewish people,
the Talmud tells us that potential converts must be warned when first
approaching a rabbi ‘that Israel at the present is persecuted and
oppressed, despised, harassed and overcome by afflictions.’ (Yabamot
47a-b) Those words, recorded almost two thousand years ago, were true
then, and continue to resonate today.

So what is the secret formula that leaders and followers among other
religions have sought for centuries? And are there lessons that Jews of
today can learn, as we grapple with the issues of assimilation and
continuity?

The secret of survival is no secret after all. It is contained in this Read More >