Have you ever heard of the Yiddish expression "Der Pintele Yid"?
It's one of those things that are not easily described, but when you see it, you just know it.
Last night, I heard the sad news that Joan Rivers had passed away. I thought of her recent epic rant in defense of Israel and I thought of Der Pintale Yid.
And tumbling out of my mind, came these words, which I posted last night on my facebook page:
Joan Rivers will forever be remembered by one of her greatest and final acts: her courageous and inimitable defense of her people and Israel. At a time when Jews around the world felt intimidated and beleaguered, she rose to their defense with spunk and strength. She was a proud Jew and made us proud. This will be her legacy, and most certainly 'the ticket' that will carry her soul to great peace. May her memory be blessed.
When push came to shove, Joan Rivers' Pintele Yidcame out, blazing. Her passionate defense of Israel and the Jewish people welled up from deep inside her. From the least of expected of places, came the most succinct and heartfelt advocacy on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Israel. She was a far cry from a Rebitizin and or a Jewish community leader. But when her people were falsely accused, her Jewishness exploded.
Der Pintale Yid.
Throughout our long and difficult history, through challenges and persecutions, we as a people have faced many trials. But what has never wavered, and what will exist forever, is that spark of unshakable faith and Jewish identity that is hidden deep in the inner recesses of our souls, Der Pintale Yid. It emerges at the most unlikely of times and at the most unlikely of places.
And like the Jewish people, it endures; defiant and eternal.