The difference between Jews and Arabs.

A lot of Jews and Arabs look alike because they have the same general ancestry, but, it is the cultural differences that set them apart.

This was driven home to me a few days ago and also explains why the Arabs can't beat the Jews in a war even though they outnumber them many times over.

Here's the scoop! I was listening to a rabbi on CBC radio explaining what (over and above the standard Provincial school curriculum) is taught in a Jewish school in Toronto.

He explained that one of the most important lessons taught in the Torah was a quote that said; (I have to para-phrase here!.) "God is great, but don't expect God to do things for you with miracles. God helps those who help themselves!!"

The cultural difference was brought to light by my wife (who spent over two years in Saudi Arabia) who said; "In the Arab world everything revolves around "Insha'Allah."

In šaʾ Allāh (إن شاء الله) is an Arabic term evoked by Arabic speakers to indicate hope for an aforementioned event to occur in the future. The phrase translates into English as "God willing" or "If it is God's will".

The term is also related to another Arabic term, Mā šāʾ Allāh (ما شاء الله), which means "God has willed it".

This word is often used to indicate a desire to do something that you wish may occur. This also provides Allah's blessing on what you are about to do. For example, if you want to do something, in particular if you know that it is very hard to achieve, you invoke Allah's blessing before it occurs or before you set out to do it.

Muslim scholar Ibn Abbas stated that it is in fact obligatory for a Muslim to say Insha'Allah when referring to something he or she intends to do in the future. If carelessness leads to the omission of the phrase, it may be said at a later time upon the realization of the omission.

BUT! Here is the important part. This phrase imparts an attitude of "Laissez-faire " on the speaker because if they don't get around to it or don't feel like it then of course it is "Insha'Allah," or God's will and therefore not their fault.


One attitude(Jewish) sets you up for success, and the other(Muslim) pre-supposes failure.

And there is the difference.

Allan W Janssen is the author of The Plain Truth About God at www.God-101.com and the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com