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Is Jewish Pride Bad?


By Yisroel Cotlar

Question:

I've now read a few articles on your site that contain the phrase "Jewish pride." Where I come from, pride is a negative trait, and "Jewish pride" seems like something that could only lead to antisemitism. Why is this being promoted? Am I missing something?

Response:

Translate pride as arrogance and you've got a point. Being stuck-up isn't what we have in mind.

Rather, translate the word pride as confidence: As a Jew, I have a conviction that I am doing what is right. I am comfortable with my Jewish identity. My Judaism is not to be hidden, as there is nothing to hide.

And the wonderful thing is that this only improves the way others treat us. Because nobody is impressed by a person who tries to be something he's not.

The Chief Rabbi of England, Lord Jonathan Sacks, perhaps put it best when he said, "Non-Jews respect Jews who respect their Judaism. Non-Jews are ashamed by Jews who are ashamed by their Judaism."
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Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar is a Chabad rabbi in Cary, North Carolina. He is also a member of the Chabad.org Ask the Rabbi team.
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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Dec 1, 2010
Thank you...
... "Rather, translate the word pride as confidence: As a Jew, I have a conviction that I am doing what is right. I am comfortable with my Jewish identity. My Judaism is not to be hidden, as there is nothing to hide."

Reading the above, I feel even more strongly about my convictions, as I journey towards conversion.
Posted By Diane Kisela, Cape Town, South Africa

Posted: Nov 28, 2010
Is Jewish Pride Bad?

A Jewish pride is not bad at all. So whoever says that a Jewish pride is bad, it's just their lack of understanding. Be proud of your heritage, because more and more Gentiles now do appreciated your tribe. So take pride in being a Jewish person.
Posted By Anonymous, Perry, KS, USA

Posted: Nov 22, 2010
Is Jewish pride bad
NO NO NO and this is from a Christian. The pride is not in self the pride is in the nation of G-d.
To me you are the only people on G d's earth who KNOW the way forward.
Posted By Winnie Wright, Arbroath, 0

Posted: Oct 29, 2010
To Uri
Not a bad reply, Mr. Yitzchak.

Not bad at all.

I especially like the part about 'bringing G-dliness to all human beings'.

You still have a chance at that,-

G-d willing.
Posted By Thomas Karp, New Haven, Ct.

Posted: Oct 29, 2010
Pride is bad? Where?
No people have more to be proud of than Jews, as no one has worked harder, nor done more for this planet, especially when Israel's size and age (this go-around) are considered. Add in American and Euro Jews, some of whom have done great things for America, but not so much for Judaism or Jews in general - Religious excepted, of course, and the same can still be said, nonetheless. So, where does the person live, who thinks it's bad to feel pride and that it makes the Jews look worse? Mars? Anyone with no pride has a pathetic life to live.
Posted By Mr. Dean Levit

Posted: Oct 28, 2010
re: a good question
The Torah; THE Divine wisdom and teaching for all generations, that was entrusted to us by G-D, so we can learn and guide our own lives with its values, and teach and be an example to the world, in bringing G-dliness to all human beings-This is what makes me really proud to be a Jew. -"Fortunate are we!. How good is our portion,how pleasant our lot, and how beautiful our heritage" -(Morning Prayer)
Posted By Uri Yitzchak, Orlando, FL

Posted: Oct 28, 2010
A good question.
I believe it was Rabbi Akiva who was known to say:

"It is not so much if you have the right answers. It's more important to ask good questions."

Here's a good one right here:

What is it about Judaism that makes you proud to be a Jew?
Posted By Thomas Karp, New Haven, Ct.

Posted: Oct 28, 2010
re: the trouble with pride
What King Salomon meant is negative pride-being conceited.We should be far away from. that. But to live as Jews, to know who we are, and what we can offer the world in a positive way, I think is something that we should be extremely happy and proud about. We need this now more than ever.
Posted By Uri Yitzchak, Orlando, FL

Posted: Oct 26, 2010
The trouble with pride
King Solomon's teachings against pride are not too difficult to understand and I believe that we as a culture understood the lessons at one time. Yet, I have observed many uses of the word "proud" coming from Jewish sources over the last few years and it has concerned me. If we need another red flag indicating danger, being prideful fits the bill.

"We're proud to have done so and so" is a ubiquitous phrase among jews. Go to Haaretz.com and search for "proud"--you'll immediately get 20 pages of results--many of which are attributed to jewish sources. (Not surprisingly, you will see the enemies of Israel using the phrase without conscience).

Perhaps we should attempt to remove this word from our vocabulary. In the context of the current question, perhaps "Jewish Confidence" is a better phrase.
Posted By Eliyahu, Mequon, WI
via chabadmequon.org



 


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