Is Jewish Pride Bad?

Though I sincerely have much respect for Rabbi Sacks for his fine work and wise words in general, I think the "non-jews respect jews who respect their judaism" is a bit exaggerated. I would like to invite Rabbi Sacks to take a stroll with his kippah put on in my neighbourhood to have a taste of the spitting on you and the can-of-beer throwing at you by the zabij-zyda people. I wonder if the nazis respect jews who respect their judaism. Reply

Where did you get such translation of pride as confidence? Reply

To Jonathon in Tel Aviv I think the author is saying YES if you translate the literal word pride to mean confidence, and NO if you translate the word to mean "better than others" or as a term of rebellion and anger. Reply

Can't Understand Should we have pride or not?
Simply, yes or no? Reply

From my childhood I remember pride. It’s like when you give yourself credit for achievements. I was proud when I did well in school for instance. A religious person won’t credit herself / himself, but the Almighty for everything. Today, whenever I’ve been able to accomplish a task successfully, it does feel great. It’s fantastic! The very next feeling though is gratitude that instantly humbles me, gratefulness for having been blessed with the ability to fulfil that task, and for the gift of having received that task. Maybe we should not adapt the mundane meaning of pride together with the word pride itself. It seems to create all sorts of confusion. When a Jew talks about being proud, he talks about a feeling of deep gratefulness, while a worldly person might talk about giving praise to himself for his accomplishments. Reply

pride If Jewish pride is a great thing then what is wrong with white pride? Am I not allowed to be proud of my white heritage but jews, black, asians are? hmmm double standard ,uch?? Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply

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) Reply

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? Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply