Chapter 4 "The Jews" Summary and Analysis

Jewish ideals

The Jewish tradition entails a love of knowledge for its own sake, a desire for personal independence, and a passionate love of justice, according to Einstein. Because of this tradition, the Jews are seen as enemies of those who seek to establish a kind of state slavery by brute force. Although their historical role is a difficult one, Jews will survive, not only as the oldest of living peoples, but will continue to thrive and contribute to the ennoblement of the human race, Einstein says.

Is there a Jewish point of view?

Einstein says there is no such thing as a specifically Jewish outlook on life, save an affirmative attitude toward all life and a sense that the life of an individual has meaning by making the life of every living thing better...