Read on Twitter
THREAD #Elul -> For the past two days, I’ve written threads about some of the things I learned from Judaism about life. But I also want to share some of the things I have learned from life about Judaism.
Never ever be embarrassed about being a Jew. Our people has survived so long and contributed so much, that you should see being Jewish as an honour and a responsibility.
Some people look down on Jews: they always have. In which case, we have to walk tall, so that, to see our face, they are forced to look up.
Never compromise your principles because of others. Don’t compromise on kashrut or any other Jewish practise because you happen to find yourself among non-Jews or non-religious Jews.
Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism. They are embarrassed by Jews who are embarrassed by Judaism.
Never look down on others. Never think that being Jewish means looking down on non-Jews. It doesn’t. Never think that being a religious Jew entitles you to look down on nonreligious Jews. It doesn’t.
The greatest Jew, Moses, was also, according to the Torah, “the humblest person on the face of the earth”. Humility does not mean self-abasement. True humility is the ability to see good in others without worrying about yourself.
Never stop learning. I once met a woman who was 103 and yet who still seemed youthful. What, I asked her, was her secret? She replied, “Never be afraid to learn something new”.
Then I realised that learning is the true test of age. If you are willing to learn, you can be 103 and still young. If you aren’t, you can be 23 and already old.
Never confuse righteousness with self-righteousness. They sound similar, but they are opposites.
The righteous see the good in people; the self-righteous see the bad. The righteous make you feel bigger; the self-righteous make you feel small. The righteous praise; the self-righteous criticise. The righteous are generous; the self-righteous, grudging and judgmental.
Once you know the difference, keep far from the self-righteous, who come in all forms, right and left, religious and secular. Win the respect of people you respect and ignore the rest.
More lessons to come tomorrow...
