Re:Why Jewish History Is So Hard to Write
by olivermarks on Thursday April 05, 2018 @12:38PM
(#16766451)
I read Adam Kirch's review 'Why Jewish History Is So Hard to Write'. Perhaps it is because no one can ever seem to agree on what 'Jewish' actually is, as evidenced by some of the discussion threads here...
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Re:Why Jewish History Is So Hard to Write
by throwawayjewis2 on Thursday April 05, 2018 @12:52PM
(#16766585)
Fair point. I guess in that sense it's like "big data" or "blockchain", both concepts that I'm sure exist but I'm not quite sure how to define.
Anecdote: I was once in a conversation with a fellow who was a rabbi and this topic came up. He said, "well...the way I think of it is, if you can think of ten characteristics that are 'Jewish', anyone who has any six of them can claim the title." I guess that's one way to be flexible.