“I’m willing to start World War III!”
That’s a favorite phrase among Jews I know to indicate their commitment to something.
I’ve never gotten used to Jewish intensity. My WASP upbringing was more laid back. Jesus suffered and so we have to suffer too and we should suffer quietly and patiently with faith in God. By contrast, “It’s not a big deal” is not a common Jewish phrase.
When a Jew took me to lunch the other day and my order did not arrive after ten minutes, he raised holy hell to get me my order. I kept trying to calm him. I would have sat there meekly for half an hour without complaint.
I often see Jewish intensity, commitment and verbal skill winning many battles in the world around me, but I wonder if sometimes these battles are won at the expense of the war. If you cause people to resent Jews because of your intensity, that’s not good for the Jews in the long run.
