Trump, masculinity, and the Jewish alternative

What does it mean to be a man today? For many, this question feels more complicated than ever. On one side, Donald Trump and some allies champion a bold, confrontational style of masculinity – highlighted by his connections to WWE and boxing and his emphasis on toughness. On the other, progressive voices often downplay masculinity altogether, treating it as outdated or even toxic.

Neither approach offers young men a path forward. Trump’s celebration of unrestrained masculinity may feel empowering, but it often glorifies recklessness and excess. At the same time, the liberal flattening of masculinity leaves many men alienated, searching for purpose in a world that seems to devalue their identity.

Jewish tradition offers a third way – one that neither erases nor exaggerates masculinity but channels its energy into meaningful, constructive pursuits. This model, rooted in a revolutionary rabbinic response to crisis, speaks as powerfully today as it did 2,000 years ago.

In the aftermath of the Second Temple’s destruction and the catastrophic failure of the Bar Kochba revolt, Jewish men stood at a crossroads. The warrior ethos that had once defined Jewish manhood – the image of the sword-wielding hero – was no longer viable. How could Jewish men find purpose in a world where traditional markers of masculinity had been stripped away?

The rabbis offered a bold redefinition: the Jewish man became a “learning warrior.” Recognizing men’s natural inclination toward competition and combat, they didn’t suppress these instincts but sublimated them. The battlefield became intellectual and spiritual, with Torah study framed as an act of warfare – a fight to conquer ignorance and bring truth to the world.

This transformative vision preserved masculine identity while avoiding harm to individuals, families, and society. Torah study, the rabbis taught, wasn’t merely an intellectual exercise but a way to channel the warrior’s energy into supernal pursuits.

Today, this rabbinic vision has expanded in remarkable ways. Jewish men – and women – are once again called to physically defend the Jewish people, particularly in Israel. While we wish no one had to take up arms, the realities of modern antisemitism and the Middle East demand vigilance. At the same time, the opportunities for Torah study have never been greater, offering unprecedented access to everyone and enriching Jewish life across the globe.

But even with these new developments, the lesson of the rabbinic response to crisis remains critical. The solution to the crisis of masculinity is not to erase men’s unique traits or to glorify their most destructive instincts. Instead, it is to offer a constructive path – one that honors masculine identity while channeling its energy toward higher purposes.

Masculinity isn’t the problem; directionlessness is. Left unchecked, masculine energy can lead to aggression or aimlessness. But when guided toward meaningful goals, it can achieve immense good. As young men today grapple with their identities in a polarized world, Jewish tradition offers a powerful alternative. Men can be warriors – defending their communities, pursuing justice, or dedicating themselves to intellectual and spiritual growth. The key is to ensure they fight for something that truly matters.