"What are you going to do to preserve a tradition that is the peculiar and unique culture that Judaism inculcates? The American Jewish community is not going to survive by lining up against its common enemy"

Arthur Hertzberg's quote raises essential questions about the survival and continuity of Jewish culture, especially in the context of the American Jewish community. Hertzberg, a prominent rabbi and scholar, emphasizes the need for proactive measures to preserve Jewish customs and culture, instead of relying on external pressures or enemies to preserve group cohesion.

The expression "maintain a tradition that is the strange and distinct culture that Judaism instills" highlights the diversity of Jewish cultural and religious practices. Judaism is abundant with traditions, rituals, and moral mentors that have actually been given through generations. Hertzberg is calling attention to the significance of purposely maintaining these components, as they are important to Jewish identity. It suggests that the community should actively engage with their heritage and discover ways to make it relevant and significant within the contemporary world.

Hertzberg also warns against specifying Jewish identity primarily in opposition to a typical opponent, which he means with the phrase "lining up versus its typical enemy". This could imply a range of adversaries, from historical antisemitism to modern geopolitical risks. While facing a typical opponent can unite individuals and reinforce group identity, Hertzberg recommends that this unfavorable cohesion is insufficient and unsustainable for long-term cultural survival. Instead, by focusing inward and commemorating what is uniquely Jewish, the neighborhood can keep its identity in a more favorable and long-lasting way.

Overall, Hertzberg's message is a call to action for the American Jewish neighborhood to foster a proactive and affirmative method to cultural preservation. This involves engaging with Jewish customs, educating more youthful generations, and creating an active, dynamic Jewish life that does not rely solely on difficulty to specify its continuity.