Rabbi Ken Spiro’s new book, Destiny, successfully guides the reader through the central themes of Judaism: the impact of Jewish values on civilization, Jewish determination, the disproportionate impact of the Jewish people, anti-Semitism and its message, the Jewish vision of history and conception of time, and [even] mankind’s ultimate destiny.
Rabbi Spiro compares Jewish history to the epic stories that have been popular throughout history and more recently, on cinema screens and PlayStations. These epics always include a cosmic struggle, a little superhero, a big, bad villain, and destiny unfolding through a “final, cataclysmic showdown between good and evil.” (The illustrative comic strips included in the book weren’t a plus for me.)
This short book is composed of four parts. Who are the Jews is the story of how the Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs espoused a new ethics of basic human values, one which was unique and contrary to the existing, extremely cruel norms.
Why are the Jews so driven describes the incredible, disproportionate impact of Jews and their impact on the world – mostly, but not exclusively, for the good; the spiritual Jewish DNA which has endured for millennia; and unique Jewish individualism and its civilizing impact.
Why the Jews are so hated explores anti-Semitism and Jewish identity, theoretical causes of anti-Semitism, the uniqueness of Jew hatred, and the true cause of anti-Semitism (hint: think of the introduction of absolute morality and its consequences).
The last section, What is Jewish destiny, fleshes out Rabbi Spiro’s metaphor of the “Little Superhero” epic, explaining the Jewish role in history, the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies, what as yet unfulfilled prophecies predict, and a look back at the painful lessons of history.
I found this book to be a fascinating overview of what the Jews have stood for since Abraham, how the Jews have impacted the world, how they have supernaturally endured against unique and unbelievable odds, and how Jews have shaped the world’s consciousness even more than the great lost civilizations and empires of antiquity. Destiny is a tool to educate young and old about their magnificent heritage – a gift not to be thrown away.
Born and raised in America, Rabbi Ken Spiro has lived in Israel since 1982. He served in a combat infantry unit in the IDF. A father of five children, he currently lives in Jerusalem .
Rabbi Spiro is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher for Aish HaTorah, Jerusalem, in addition to being a licensed tour guide. He graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. Rabbi Spiro has an MA in History from The Vermont College of Norwich University and Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. He has appeared on numerous radio and television programs and is the author of WorldPerfect – The Jewish Impact on Civilization, Crash Course in Jewish History, and Destiny, published by Geffen Publishing House.
Rabbi Spiro’s writings and seminars can be accessed on www.kenspiro.com and www.aish.com.
Republished from San Diego Jewish World