I have long thought of the hundreds-to-one hostage/prisoner swap numbers as reflecting the desperation of Israel to get soldiers back, alive or even dead, in keeping with the Sanctity of life philosophy. It does aurely say something about the relative values put on lives by our repetitive peoples, but not as a Jewish/Zionist superiority, just sanctity, compared with a religion which at some level does not value lives the same. Hence. Suicide bombers, Jjhad etc. or is that in itself a biased view?
It certainly is biased. Unfortunately Israel has shown the world exactly what it thinks of the sanctity of life by bombing entire families just to kill one suspect.
Another example is its inhumane treatment of Palestinian prisoners
You and Mr Jacobson frankly don’t have a leg to stand on in your ridiculous reach for the moral high ground.
Howard, as a non-Jew I found your post illuminating, especially your contrast between the inward meaning of being chosen and the way outsiders twist it into an accusation of arrogant exceptionalism. Your description of it as self-reflection and ethical obligation rather than a badge of superiority is important, because that distinction is usually ignored by those looking to confirm their suspicions.
Where the picture becomes harder is in the political sphere. The ethical interpretation you describe is at variance with alternative interpretations within Judaism: strands of religious Zionism today do link Jewish identity to biblical ideas of Eretz Yisrael. That isn’t Judaism as a whole, and it isn’t Zionism in its entirety, but it is a visible ideological force in Israeli policy toward the West Bank and the current destruction of civilian life in Gaza.
And alongside that sits a historical reality that rarely appears in official Israeli rhetoric: the state was founded in a land already inhabited by a settled population, many of whose ancestors shared the land with the ancestors of the Jews and whose displacement remains central to Palestinian experience. When that part of the story is left unacknowledged, it becomes difficult for outsiders to reconcile the ethical responsibility you describe with the actions of the state in the present conflict.
This doesn’t invalidate your argument about the way “being chosen” is misread and weaponised. But it does highlight a tension between the introspective, moral understanding you evoke and the territorial claims of a particular strand of modern Zionism. That tension is part of what people see today, and it complicates the narrative in ways that can’t easily be separated from the current war.
Thank you yet again, Mr Jacobson in brightening the atmosphere with true adherence to the word. I love your writing. And I saw Fiddler on the Roof last week!
Great essay. The Jews wrote of their imperfections. Chosenness has nothing to do with superiority racial or otherwise except to those for whom this is a convenient angle to batter the Jews. And looking at the antagonistic comments below, for those whom the recent war of extermination aka genocide launched byIslamic Iran/hamas was an unveiling of Jewish cruelty, blood for baking matzoh is absolutely proof positive. And for me the photo of hundreds of Muslims in Times Square praying after a racist Islamist was elected mayor on NYC. As they were pictured praying after Oct. 7th in celebration and thanks to the Deity. Who is "chosen?" and believes in their perfection? Not the Jews.
Your framing of chosenness as burdn rather than privilige is so well articulated. The weight of living up to a silent covenant resonates deeply. It's intresting how the same trait gets twisted into something sinister by those who need a villian.
To still be mixing up anti zionism with antisemitism shows complete ignorance on both subjects. To attach significant meaning to the disparity of numbers of exchanged prisoners without exploring the occupation, the army-prisons for children, the imbalance in military and police power is partisan grand standing, devoid of any meaning. All in all this piece might have had impact on the ignorami most of us westerners were in the 80s, but if Hamas has accomplished one thing, it is to unveil te mask of Israel. And any person who wonders about root causes will have done the homework that they would see necessary. Just not you.
Or one could say that all the “negatives”, the shrinking, all of it, is a sign of humanity, the humility, the self-doubting. Maybe as Jews we are chosen to feel our humanity in a way others may not. Feel it, be aware of it, and act on it, for good or for bad (both being subjective in the eyes of the beholder).
I’m not Jewish, I’m a Christian but I think it’s not so different. (Not in the experience of life, of course, but in the sense of one’s moral obligations.) This article, and especially the last two paragraphs, spoke to me as much as anything I have ever read.
Howard your experience at Bowker vale primary and Stand Grammar (note: I never made it to Oxbridge!) is shining brightly.
I always thought that the term “chosen people” was not a helpful start to peaceful co-existence. There is an unfortunate inference of elitism/superiority. Though this is definitely not borne out of subsequent Judaic experiences, it appears to be a niggling annoyance for many that we appear to have a direct line to our creator. If only!!
“But that’s an irony for another time. As is the question of what new atrocities might follow from the more recent exchange of prisoners for hostages.”
But you don’t pause to question why they might want to commit atrocities.
I have long thought of the hundreds-to-one hostage/prisoner swap numbers as reflecting the desperation of Israel to get soldiers back, alive or even dead, in keeping with the Sanctity of life philosophy. It does aurely say something about the relative values put on lives by our repetitive peoples, but not as a Jewish/Zionist superiority, just sanctity, compared with a religion which at some level does not value lives the same. Hence. Suicide bombers, Jjhad etc. or is that in itself a biased view?
I feel that, too. Maybe it’s why Israel is the only country to feed the civilians of its enemy who declared war on it.
It certainly is biased. Unfortunately Israel has shown the world exactly what it thinks of the sanctity of life by bombing entire families just to kill one suspect.
Another example is its inhumane treatment of Palestinian prisoners
You and Mr Jacobson frankly don’t have a leg to stand on in your ridiculous reach for the moral high ground.
Yes, it's high time for Israel to follow the lead of all the world's nations and wage war respectfully, kindly, morally, forgivingly....
QED
Howard, as a non-Jew I found your post illuminating, especially your contrast between the inward meaning of being chosen and the way outsiders twist it into an accusation of arrogant exceptionalism. Your description of it as self-reflection and ethical obligation rather than a badge of superiority is important, because that distinction is usually ignored by those looking to confirm their suspicions.
Where the picture becomes harder is in the political sphere. The ethical interpretation you describe is at variance with alternative interpretations within Judaism: strands of religious Zionism today do link Jewish identity to biblical ideas of Eretz Yisrael. That isn’t Judaism as a whole, and it isn’t Zionism in its entirety, but it is a visible ideological force in Israeli policy toward the West Bank and the current destruction of civilian life in Gaza.
And alongside that sits a historical reality that rarely appears in official Israeli rhetoric: the state was founded in a land already inhabited by a settled population, many of whose ancestors shared the land with the ancestors of the Jews and whose displacement remains central to Palestinian experience. When that part of the story is left unacknowledged, it becomes difficult for outsiders to reconcile the ethical responsibility you describe with the actions of the state in the present conflict.
This doesn’t invalidate your argument about the way “being chosen” is misread and weaponised. But it does highlight a tension between the introspective, moral understanding you evoke and the territorial claims of a particular strand of modern Zionism. That tension is part of what people see today, and it complicates the narrative in ways that can’t easily be separated from the current war.
Thank you yet again, Mr Jacobson in brightening the atmosphere with true adherence to the word. I love your writing. And I saw Fiddler on the Roof last week!
Great essay. The Jews wrote of their imperfections. Chosenness has nothing to do with superiority racial or otherwise except to those for whom this is a convenient angle to batter the Jews. And looking at the antagonistic comments below, for those whom the recent war of extermination aka genocide launched byIslamic Iran/hamas was an unveiling of Jewish cruelty, blood for baking matzoh is absolutely proof positive. And for me the photo of hundreds of Muslims in Times Square praying after a racist Islamist was elected mayor on NYC. As they were pictured praying after Oct. 7th in celebration and thanks to the Deity. Who is "chosen?" and believes in their perfection? Not the Jews.
Your framing of chosenness as burdn rather than privilige is so well articulated. The weight of living up to a silent covenant resonates deeply. It's intresting how the same trait gets twisted into something sinister by those who need a villian.
Such great writing.
To still be mixing up anti zionism with antisemitism shows complete ignorance on both subjects. To attach significant meaning to the disparity of numbers of exchanged prisoners without exploring the occupation, the army-prisons for children, the imbalance in military and police power is partisan grand standing, devoid of any meaning. All in all this piece might have had impact on the ignorami most of us westerners were in the 80s, but if Hamas has accomplished one thing, it is to unveil te mask of Israel. And any person who wonders about root causes will have done the homework that they would see necessary. Just not you.
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Or one could say that all the “negatives”, the shrinking, all of it, is a sign of humanity, the humility, the self-doubting. Maybe as Jews we are chosen to feel our humanity in a way others may not. Feel it, be aware of it, and act on it, for good or for bad (both being subjective in the eyes of the beholder).
I’m not Jewish, I’m a Christian but I think it’s not so different. (Not in the experience of life, of course, but in the sense of one’s moral obligations.) This article, and especially the last two paragraphs, spoke to me as much as anything I have ever read.
A beautiful piece, Howard.
Recalling your personal friendship wumf4the the late Rabbi Sacks
Every religion believes it is God’s chosen one. Jews, however, may be the only people who believe they can never fully live up to their chosenness.
Howard your experience at Bowker vale primary and Stand Grammar (note: I never made it to Oxbridge!) is shining brightly.
I always thought that the term “chosen people” was not a helpful start to peaceful co-existence. There is an unfortunate inference of elitism/superiority. Though this is definitely not borne out of subsequent Judaic experiences, it appears to be a niggling annoyance for many that we appear to have a direct line to our creator. If only!!
Thank you Howard.
A great piece as usual.
“But that’s an irony for another time. As is the question of what new atrocities might follow from the more recent exchange of prisoners for hostages.”
But you don’t pause to question why they might want to commit atrocities.
Self-serving, one sided propaganda.
Gosh, such very finely-honed, intelligent comments!
Praise indeed from a Ben Shapiro sucker
So I see that for you (it's the clear implication) committing atrocities is perfectly understandable, not to say justiable. No it's not.
Not what was said.
At all.
Start treating people decently or don’t be surprised when they hate you.
War mongering, child-murdering Israel and its disgusting “what about”supporters have zero moral credibility.
First, send paediatric medicines into Gaza. Then crawl back here with your next lecture.
"Child-murdering Israel" identifies you as just another blood-libelling fanatic.
Justifiable.