It’s not uncommon to observe people digging in their heels, foolishly, as a stand for principle turns to folly.
Pharaoh of the Torah refused to let the Jews go despite multiple warnings from Moses as he transmitted the instruction from Gd —“ let my people go”!
We know the story. He refused, then paid the price — and we have a Holiday Passover.
What’s illustrative in the story is that despite all signs to him and his people that this was a war he was going to lose — he still dug in his heels. In the words of the Torah “he hardened his heart”. Simply put — he doubled down and dug in his heels despite the heavy costs.
We all do it. Very often. The polarization of society today — proves it… of course we blame it on principle— which at times is the case — yet folly all too often.
Then there are the things we do that don’t make sense in the slightest that have existentially brought us to today. Dor L’dor. The Am Yisrael Chai moves, let’s call it.
The utter self sacrifice of our predecessors to ensure that Judaism survives despite the darkest of times. The endless efforts that each of us expend to try share the gift of our Heritage with our families; the creative methods we employ to ensure Jewish survival for ourselves and our communities.
Incredible.
Principle or folly?
Keep asking yourself the question before you make decisions — likely you’ll come up with the right answer — and your life may look slightly different.
I know our ancestors did and we are here to tell the tale!