The value of intelligent effectiveness in business is then spelled out or as Twain put it “the Jew without a brain could not survive”. Twain appears to imply here that ancient prejudices compelled to rely on their intelligence dating back to being embodied in the saga of Joseph securing goods Pharoah. Here however, Twain appears to be putting in the cart before the horse. In reality utilizing intelligence in all pursuits large and small has its underpinnings in Jewish values revealed in Abraham’s life and continually going forward. This valued inclination has further been reinforced and extended by the historical development of the Jewish people. Abraham was certainly embodied a critical mind as evidenced in his discourses with God as well as his business pursuits. Abraham’s plea in attempting to seek justice from God in considering the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah certainly reveals this capacity. Joseph also clearly exhibited it in business by his proposals to Pharoah after his dream and in his handling of Pharoah’s affairs. In Talmudic writing it is revealed in an ongoing way through critical discussion. It is moreover historically enhanced through Jewish thought tapping whatever external sources that may be available such as the Greek format for symposium dialogue while rejecting Greek values and incorporating some of its positive methodology in the process. It may further be noted that in Kabbalistic thought this value is captured in the concept of “binah” or understanding one of the 10 life aspects of the Sefirot, when joined with the notion of “chochmah ”or wisdom. In this area “binah” which represents the deductive and inductive rational capacity works with the rationally intuitive and creative capacity of “chochmah” Finally it may be observed that Twain in his conclusion discloses an insight also made by the gifted 17 th century mathematician Blaise Pascal as well as earlier revealed in the Talmud. This insight is that the very survival of the Jewish people over the years represents something of miraculous proportions. Below is brief recapitalization of Twain’s statement:
“The Egyptian the Babylonian and he Persian rise, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then fade into dreamstuff. The Greek and Roman followed…The Jew saw them all, and beat them all. All they are nothing, but the Jew.” It may be added that this was a result of God granted opportunities which were tapped by inspired Jews of the past.
Twain grasped amazingly well the pulse of the Jewish people. It is unfortunate, as evident in his life, that he was never able to achieve any full sense of peace and fulfillment that an acceptance of God and a true related spiritual journey may bring. However, it may be noted that in his own mind Twain may have opened the door to such possibility when at the very end of his essay he mystically and movingly asks, “What is the source of his (the Jew’s) immortality?