Some time ago I discussed with an uncle the problem of anti-Semitism. I know how American Jews react to it, but I was curious as to the psychology of the Jew who lived all his life in the shtetl. This uncle, who has shared in both cultures and both worlds, told me of how when he was a child he was walking with his grandfather, my great grandfather -- the man after whom I am named, and who was known reverently and affectionately in the family by the name of the town where he served as Rav, the קראצשינקער זיידע, they were accosted by a young Polish peasant who hurled at them every foul-mouthed anti-Semitic insult which has become a venerable tradition among both Polish peasants and intellectuals.
My uncle, having been exposed to the modern world, was shaken. Yet he noticed that my great-grandfather simply continued, as if nothing at all had ever happened: impassive, unruffled, unconcerned. Said my uncle to my great grandfather: how come? How can you just continue? Aren't you bothered by all this? The קראצשינקער זיידע replied: What are you talking about? How can I possibly be concerned by the likes of him? Don't you understand? "איך האב דאך א תורה" - I am a man who has a Torah!
A man who has Torah is never concerned by the rantings and the ravings of some semi-ignorant lunatic. The slings and arrows of that kind of fortune can never hurt him.
[In a drasha given a mere nine days before this writer was born. WHAT A TIME!!!:-)]
