Stubborn Jews

(JNS) — We Jews have been called lots of things. Some of the less offensive appellations are “stubborn” and “obstinate.” Yes, we can be stubborn, obstinate or davka. Call it what you like.

But, curiously, not all the rabbis see stubbornness as a fault.

In last week’s Torah reading, Ekev, Moses continues his recap of the events of the last 40 years and speaks of the terrible sin of the Golden Calf: “Then, G-d spoke to me and said: ‘I have observed this people and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.’”

The phrase first appears back in Exodus 34 when the original episode occurred. There, Moses is...