A ‘Hebrew’ Walks Against the Current

To be a “Hebrew” means to be willing and able to stand alone against folly, untruth, and immorality. 

Why was the first Jew, Avrohom, called “Ha’Ivri – The Hebrew?” asks the Medrash.

Ivri (Hebrew) is derived from the word ʿever’, a Hebrew word meaning the “other side.” Avrohom was identified as the “one who came from the other side” because he originated from the “other side” of the Euphrates.

 But there is more to it: he is called “The Hebrew” because he stood on the “other side” of world opinion. In a time when every social club, government, and curriculum stood for paganism, one man pitched a tent espousing monotheism.

Four thousand years later, monotheism is the dominant religious belief, but the “Hebrew” still finds themselves “on the other side” of world opinion in defending truth and morality.

How did Avrohom find the strength to stand against universal condemnation? What can we learn as we seek the stamina to keep stating the truth in the face of an onslaught of propaganda?

Avrohom ceased to feel that he was standing; he simply felt what he stood for. His personal rating in the polls had absolutely no effect on him; ensuring the truth was embraced did. When one has no ego, the popularity of their stance ceases to matter. All that matters is the stance itself. At that point, all the noise in the world doesn’t sway one from the truth.

We are still called the “Hebrews,” those who stand solo against a world of opposition. Were it about our ego, popularity, or standing, we would have tired long ago. But it’s not about those things at all. We don’t feel our standing; we feel what we are standing for.