There are different tacts. Self-defense is of course important (and the best defense as well...a good offense) But for Jews, like the point of this audio class, unabashed faith and Torah learning/practice are what protects us. How else could we have survived as a sheep among the wolves all this time?
A friend of mine told me he was in an airport when the time for praying the morning prayer came. Most orthodox Jewish men go through some mental calculation—”Do I put on my prayer shawl and phylacteries (black leather boxes worn on the head and bicep containing certain passages of the Torah inside) right here at the gate? Or do I find a private room, or wait until I reach my destination.... When suddenly a same-sex marriage report came on the CCTV... If these guys can be proud of their shtusim (foolishness) why can’t I be proud and pray in the middle of an airport?! So he did.
Religious men and women should double down in holy chutzpah. Think of the cultural rot that the youth proudly display in their fads and mannerisms— and we should double down in our godly culture and holy and American mannerisms. The hell with Hellenizing.
I am very ignorant of Judaism, I live in an area where the Jewish population is small. I saw something this evening that surprised me so I am hoping you can explain it to me. We were in a Target store doing some shopping and I usually include their Christmas decorating dept. when I am in there. Also wandering around the Christmas section were two orthodox Jewish men, they were wearing yarmulkes and black coats. I know this is the first day of Chanukah, and I always thought these evenings were to be spent at home.