Got one response to my coming back post. Pathetic, but I am a man of my word. I said I am coming back and I will.
Lately I have been much more on edge. The wrong comment, look, action and I find myself seething with anger. I would say this is a problem that needs to be addressed but what if it is only my fellow Yidden who bring this out. Can one have Anger Management issues only in response to one type of person?
Why cant Jews act like the rest of society? I am not even talking about money laundering, or kidney selling. I am talking about behaving like a civilized human being, like someone who has actually spent some time alive in the outside world.
I am not going to go into specific examples because I will fly into a fit of rage (which is not tolerated in my office) but if you have stories to share please post them in comments and I will be sure to respond/elaborate/rant/seethe with anger.
Posts
11 years ago
>Why cant Jews act like the rest of society?
ReplyDeleteWe think we're better than everyone else. We have serious superiority complexes. I remember my fifth-grade rebbe teching us, "bishvili nivra ha'olam" - the world was created for me.
Your Rebbe was correct. The world was created just for us and there is nothing wrong with knowing that. However we also have to remember that there are other people who inhabit this world and we must treat them properly.
ReplyDeleteIt is for the sake of the same G-d that created this world just for you and I that we must behave properly.
This post was not an invitation for G-d bashing, it was merely a snarky way to have a cynical discussion on the social (or lack thereof) habits of the Jewish people in the greater NY area.
Please keep the discussion moving in that general vein.
First of all, "bishvili" means ME not US.
ReplyDeleteSecond of all, don't you think this superiority complex (and you've conceded the point-I'd love to see Garnel's face right now) leads directly to cheating the government?
I know what bshvili means, I was merely expanding it for the purposes of the comment.
ReplyDeleteI do think this leads to cheating the government but I wasn't even going there. I was referring to the people who double park, yell on their cell phones in restaurants, push you in the elevator, and are rude to all manner of cashiers.
Who are you to expand the meaning of the word? What are you, Daas Torah?!
ReplyDeleteI don't see what's so hard to understand. If I think I, as a person and I, as a nation are literally G-d's gift to mankind, is there any reason I wouldn't act like I own the world?
"What are you, Daas Torah?!" I was literally laughing out loud.
ReplyDeleteNo I am not daas torah. I was only expanding bshvili to include all Jews whom the world was created for, in one phrase rather than just referring to myself.
I understand your point perfectly, and I think it has some merit, I was just going in a different direction.
This was the first time I ever rejected a comment but "Shalmo", your opinion on the Torah was not appreciated by me.
ReplyDelete'nuff said.
I guess you all have different experiences or something. I am still young, frum, and I, together with the rest of my family, was brought up always to be polite and respectful of others, whether Jewish or not. So for the poster above, that means not talking on the cell phone in elevators or restaurants (etc) PERIOD, not honking the horn needlessly, thanking the letter carrier on mail that is sent out, never, EVER lying or cheating, despite the "good" that could come out of it, and in general, conducting oneself decorously. I am constantly thinking about how I can improve and if what I am about to do/say is befitting a human being in general and a Jew in specific or will there be repercussions (doesn't matter for who or how many people down the line). It is called basic sensitivity training, and I know my family is not the only one to possess it. Coming from a customer service standpoint, I see that lack of respect (combined with no inclination to actually parent one's child) plagues our society as a whole, skipping over very few groups of people. At times I am delighted with my fellow Jews, and at times I am disgusted. The same goes for other people. I try to use the latter times productively and instead of spreading my general discontent to others (what exactly does that achieve besides letting off steam?), I utilize it to educate others (I do not have a problem speaking up in a non-combative manner when I see something that is wrong) or to better myself. I think this is the ideal way to handle such situations, but if you can think of something better, please let me know. I don't blog, so I can't see how this would help, but I couldn't say for sure. All I know is, years ago, when I was a teenager, I would feel sadness over the state of affairs in the world, but then I realized I could just take that and strengthen my own resolve not to see weakness as a commendable trait and to bring up my *own* children in an appropriate manner so my surroundings could remain bright, and with help and hard work, brighten the areas around it. It might sound idealistic, but one person at a time is better than nothing. Sorry this is so long- I guess I have a lot to say on the matter! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Maybe some people just confuse being the reason for creation for being the center of the universe...
It is rare to read something as well written as this in the blogosphere, especially as a comment. Anonymous, whoever you are, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comment and published it with glee. Maybe it is because I was brought up much the same that I experience such outrage over people behaving so callously.
ReplyDeleteI also think your last line could not sum up the entire preceding discussion any more succinctly.
Well Done!!!
The reason for creation and the center of the universe sound pretty similar to me.
ReplyDeleteSimilar yes but with a clear difference.
ReplyDeleteI don't see amy difference whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteof course you don't.....:)
ReplyDeleteDo you?
ReplyDeleteI regret posting that smiley in the previous comment. The comment was meant to be snide and the smiley takes some of that away. I will not delete it because I stand by my error but know this, there is a difference between center of the universe and reason for creation. If you cant see it then that is a deficiency in you.
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
ReplyDeleteIf you are the reason for creation then you understand that everything here is for you to serve and exalt G-d with. It also means that you have the ability to understand that there are times when others are more important than yourself.
ReplyDeleteIf one feels that they are the center of the universe then they are lacking in the second area I mentioned, the ability to step aside and realize that there are situations where you must take a backseat to another's wishes, wants or desires.
Thank you, Cynic. I agree that there is clearly a difference between the two, which you defined well. The first can be positive or negative, depending on how you use it out, while the second leaves little room for self-sacrifice, altruism, and self-nullification altogether.
ReplyDelete