The secret to the Jewish people's 3,500-year longevity.

by Aish.com Staff

 

print formatted text of this song (#11)

listen to audio of this song
Vocals and piano by Sam Glaser

Quote from Mark Twain: "Concerning the Jews"

If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of star dust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of; but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people... His contributions to the world's list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also way out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvelous fight in the world, in all the ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him.

The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished...

All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?

What do YOU think is the secret to the Jewish people's immortality?

 

Submit Comment

Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Like this article? Help us create more. Aish.com exists
only through the support of our readers.

Visitor Comments: 11

(11) Gabriel Arthur Petrie, November 20, 2011 11:10 PM

Hardship.

Being put through so much hardship and surviving. I might not be able to quote very well from ancient texts, but I could summarize using a popularized quote: "that which does not kill us, makes us stronger". Probably not a very well received comment, but it's the comment I felt I should make. My apologies, but really, I feel that asking this question is like that ancient Buddhist question, "what is the nature of that which is in transition", that no accolyte is expected to be able to answer successfully (and none has for thousands of years). I don't (personally) question the Jewish capability -- I simply believe in it. Have a great day.

(10) Jonathan Axelsson, August 13, 2011 6:54 PM

The chosen people

Hashem could have chosen any people but I believe that the people of Israel could and can handle and use the gifts they have. What other people have been so successful in science, medicine, literature, music and art as Mark Twain so accurately Pointed.

(9) Vasiliy, June 5, 2011 6:25 AM

Why the longevity of the Jewish people?

The answer is simple: G-d honored the faith of Abraham and counted that faith as righteousness. The promises G-d made to Abraham and to his descendants are irrevocable and are still being fulfilled today. The Jews will always be G-d's Chosen People, not because of any special merit on their part, but because of G-d's unwavering commitment to those who have put their trust in Him, based upon His original Abrahamic covenant. Am Yisrael chai!

(8) Adam, April 3, 2011 9:48 PM

B"H for Torah

it is the mystical and magnificent Torah of G-D

(7) Anonymous, January 27, 2011 4:44 PM

great expectations....

by G-d and family....generations of Jews have passed on the gift of tenacity, the importance of the truth and education....never forgetting the struggles and achievements of our ancestors.

See All Comments

Submit Your Comment:

  • Display my name?

  • Your email address is kept private. Our editor needs it in case we have a question about your comment.


  • * required field 2000
Submit Comment
stub

Related Articles:

  • Shabbat Songs

Most Popular In:

Sponsors

    Aish.com Features

    • Tu B'Shvat: February 8, 2012
    • Arrange for Kaddish
    follow us