I have a very important question for my religion class. How have Jews endured and overcome their hardships? Please write back to me ASAP, because I need my answer by tomorrow. Thank you for all your help and consideration. 

T 

Dear T: 

BY TOMORROW!!! Boy oh boy! I get requests to do people’s homework now and then — which I must decline — but I like your question enough to make it a column. 

Your teacher has given you a tough assignment that has no certain or short answer. I have thought of the question many times and have come up with a scenario that I often use when I lecture that presents your question in a different light: 

Imagine a Martian comes to earth and says "We have heard of these Earthlings called the Jews. What’s the deal with these people? The whole planet seems obsessed with them." 

"They are an unusual people to be sure. "I would reply. "There have never been many of them, but since they appeared on the Earth, the rest of the world has given them special attention." 

"Unfortunately, that attention has often meant persecuting, harming, and killing them over thousands of years. In fact, the first person to ever call them a people was one of their greatest enemies. His name was Pharaoh and he made them slaves." 

"And that was just the beginning of their history. Over time, they have always known great enemies wherever they lived. They were dispersed and scattered all over the world and their neighbors blamed them for many of the world’s problems — from medical plagues to financial calamities." 

"During the 20th century, in the bloodiest war that humans have ever known, one third of the Jews on the planet were murdered in death camps. But in reality this Holocaust was one of many against the Jews over the centuries." 

"Wow!" Mr.Martian would say, "So are they extinct today?" 

"No, somehow they are still around, though not many of them. Out of a planet of 6 billion or so people, there are only about 14 million Jews." 

"Then I assume they are a downtrodden and depressed people, "would say the Martian. 

"Actually, no. They are among the most productive, creative, and optimistic of Earthlings. They are leaders in all that they do: art, science, medicine, literature, agriculture, business, law, education, entertainment… you will find them at the forefront of just about every kind of human achievement wherever they live. And though they are only about .3% of the world’s population, they have won about 18% of the world’s Nobel Prizes!" 

"THAT MAKES NO SENSE! THIS DOES NOT COMPUTE!" He would exclaim. And he would be correct — that Jews have survived at all is a miracle, but that they have thrived and contribute so much to the world is beyond belief. How is this possible? 

The Dalai Lama asked the same question. He wanted the answer because he is struggling to save his people who are now living in exile. He invited seven Jewish scholars to come to India so he could personally ask them. His query became a wonderful book that I suggest you read, called The Jew in The Lotus by Roger Kamenetz. 

In that book and others like it, there are many possible explanations. Your question really can’t be answered properly in just a few words and requires serious study on your part. Still, here are some quick answers: 

• I could answer because of God. 
• I could answer because Jews have always emphasized the value of caring for others. 
• I could answer because Jews have always emphasized learning.
• I could answer because Jews have lived by a system of laws. 
• I could answer because Jews have stayed united because of anti- Semitism. 
• I could answer because Jews have always emphasized family. 
• I could answer because Jews have always emphasized community. 
• I could answer because Jews have always aspired for peace. 
• I could answer because Jews have always believed in hope. 

In reality, the answer is probably a combination of these explanations and more. I’ll end by again citing the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Pharaoh subjected the Jews to slavery, torture, horror, and outright murder of babies. Yet through it all, the Jews clung to the belief that they would someday be free. Was it faith in God? Was it God? Was it family and community support? The answer is yes. 

And we Jews have indeed survived. This pivotal episode in Jewish history has been studied and repeated every year for thousands of years by Jews, young and old, sitting around the Passover Seder table. The lessons have sunk in deeply. 

These are some ideas for you to pursue. While you are at it, keep in mind that the national anthem of Israel is "Hatikvah", which means "The Hope". This is not a coincidence. 

Good Luck! Hope you get an A! 

Gil  

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