Good Friday to all, One of my father’s major influences as well as mine is the writer, Eric Hoffer. He wrote the short but masterful book on mass movements, True Believer, and it is worth the read if you haven’t. When I was reading about Israel in the news today I happened to wonder if Hoffer had written anything on Israel. I googled the question and found this brief but revealing essay in the Los Angeles Times that shows how not much has changed from when he wrote his words in 1968 to this day.
Eli - I want to make sure you have shared this with Bari Weiss at The Free Press. This essay is timeless, profound and important. I would love to see it spread across all media for everyone to ponder. Thank you for all that you do.
Hoffer can be depended upon to get to the heart of the matter . I think I am going to reread him.
I remember an insight of his that revolutions do not occur when things are at their worst, but instead occur when things are improving. He always makes you think.
Oct 21, 2023·edited Nov 3, 2023Liked by Man of Steele
Hoffer's thought experiment has the ring of truth, because it's based on actual events, and past events are the best predictor of future events. But what a pessimistic view of the future it is. That's not a criticism, just an observation.
Something's missing from this essay -- but it would be miraculous if it were not missing -- and that's the WHY. Why are we Jews destined to wander eternally in the desert? How many philosophy and biology books do I need to read in order to place this question in context? I try to think metaphorically. Human beings are tribal. Tribalism requires scapegoats to reinforce the tribe. Even chimpanzees do it. We are, after all, primates.
None of that helps.
Anti-Semites say we don't have a right to exist. I disagree. Therefore, I have to save the question of WHY for another day, and simply agree with Hoffer. We must do whatever we can, in the company of those who care about us, to continue to exist. Hoffer describes Jews as the lynchpin of humanity. Pull out that pin, and the whole collapses. It's "peculiar," as he puts it, but it has the ring of truth.
Eli - I want to make sure you have shared this with Bari Weiss at The Free Press. This essay is timeless, profound and important. I would love to see it spread across all media for everyone to ponder. Thank you for all that you do.
Hoffer can be depended upon to get to the heart of the matter . I think I am going to reread him.
I remember an insight of his that revolutions do not occur when things are at their worst, but instead occur when things are improving. He always makes you think.
Wow! Nothing changes.
Hoffer's thought experiment has the ring of truth, because it's based on actual events, and past events are the best predictor of future events. But what a pessimistic view of the future it is. That's not a criticism, just an observation.
Something's missing from this essay -- but it would be miraculous if it were not missing -- and that's the WHY. Why are we Jews destined to wander eternally in the desert? How many philosophy and biology books do I need to read in order to place this question in context? I try to think metaphorically. Human beings are tribal. Tribalism requires scapegoats to reinforce the tribe. Even chimpanzees do it. We are, after all, primates.
None of that helps.
Anti-Semites say we don't have a right to exist. I disagree. Therefore, I have to save the question of WHY for another day, and simply agree with Hoffer. We must do whatever we can, in the company of those who care about us, to continue to exist. Hoffer describes Jews as the lynchpin of humanity. Pull out that pin, and the whole collapses. It's "peculiar," as he puts it, but it has the ring of truth.
Great article. Hoffer is the blue collar philosopher. Quite enjoyable.
It's as if the Jewish question is inbred. Or so Hoffer argues. Amazing analysis. A (the) chosen people.
I read this and just sighed out loud; with the true implications of what he said.
I am 71 today, and since I was married to an historian who could school me in the many years of history, I was very blessed.
Now, since his death, I have to read a lot to find answers.
Hi, Here is a short documentary which provides a concise history of the origins of the state of Israel.
Highly educational.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOJqLTc6RkU