re: #282 MigueldowninMexico

re: #276 Carl in Jerusalem

What is it about the Jews?

Carl
Contrary to that article I will affirm that what makes good Jews good is religion, or faith, or spirituality if you will.
Do you want me to prove my assertion?
Just look at Chomsky.

Miguel,

Our rabbis tell us that the characteristics of Jews are that they are merciful, modest and seek to do good to other people. They go so far as to say that one should investigate the lineage of anyone who calls himself a Jew who does not have one of those three characteristics.

Those characteristics are innate. In next week's portion in Genesis, Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac. The rabbis ask why he did not take a wife for his son from the surrounding Cananite tribes. After all, the Cananites were idol worshipers and Abraham's cousins back in Haran were also idol worshipers. The rabbis answer that while both were idol worshipers, Abraham's family had an innate goodness that was not present in the Cananites and could not be taught.

Note that he wasn't looking for religion (religious practice), faith or spirituality. None of those things are innate. They have to be worked at every day. Every day, with every one of life's frustrations, you have to remind yourself that God runs the world and not man, and that whatever happens, it's because He determines it should happen. All we can do is play along and do our best.

As to Chomsky, I'm in no position to check his lineage. But his lack of faith and lack of loyalty to his own people point in a certain direction.