What you’re talking about here goes straight to the heart of why I became Jewish. Meghan knows that I recently converted to Judaism, and this conversation has given me a perfect chance to explain why. And, yeah – you know converts – born Jews might not proselytize, but Jews by Choice do. Seriously, it IS a path to working on your personality that some might find as great as I have.
For me, joining Judaism wasn’t about God or spirituality – I’m not big on either of those. It was about becoming a better person and a better member of my community (both within my Temple and in the world at large). What drew me in was Jewish practice, especially in Reform Judaism, which is focused on self-reflection, repairing the world, helping others, and expressing gratitude. In fact, the Jewish tradition of Mussar frames character-work as not merely self-help but as communal and ethical growth. As Alan Morinis puts it in Hadassah Magazine, Mussar means “working on yourself – but not for the sake of yourself.”
Every year, the Jewish calendar builds to the High Holy Days – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – which are all about renewal. At Tashlich, which happens between those two holidays, we symbolically cast our past wrongs into flowing water. It’s a moment to name what we want to change in ourselves and set an intention for the year ahead. And you set this intention to the community – which is so much more powerful than a New Year’s resolution. You are asking for accountability from others about your flaws. Then, on Yom Kippur – often misunderstood as a somber day of guilt – we actually experience a joyful release. Past unkind deeds are forgiven, and you get a genuine fresh start with the plan already set for how you want to improve in the next year.
At Tashlich this year, I set my intention to work on my weakest spot: not snapping or showing impatience, especially with my wife. When I look at my personality through the Big Five, I’m very conscientious (80th percentile) – which leads directly into my anger issue (67th percentile) and my lack of humility (14th percentile). So, to make real change, I need to dial down the perfectionism, lower the quick-to-anger response, and raise humility. Judaism has its own language for this – middot, the traits of character – and teaches that growth isn’t about erasing who you are but balancing your traits so they serve the greater good.
And it’s not just about the people we love or just within the congregation. Jewish practice pushes us to extend that work outward – even toward those we dislike, disagree with, or see as opponents. The goal is to build a moral and ethical society for everyone, rooted in justice and compassion – shalom in the fullest sense: wholeness and peace for the world.
Judaism is all about changing your personality and a really great way of becoming less of a jerk and more of a mensch.
On mental health differences in conservatives vs liberals, Derek Thompson surfaced some research suggesting it's just how the question is worded.
New study: Research shows liberals have worse mental health than conservatives. But what if you ask about "mood" to avoid possible conservative stigma around "mental health" issues?
A: "When respondents were asked to assess their mood, the gap between liberals and conservatives disappeared. Conservatives were actually somewhat less likely than liberals to provide a highly positive rating of their overall mood."
The best work, imo, on personality and political thought is Thomas Sowell’s “a conflict of visions”. Jason Riley wrote a biography a few yrs ago on Sowell that was great. Maybe you could get Riley on to discuss?
I suspect the heterodox community is full of people with gender atypical personalities and low agreeableness. I’m certainly more neurotic than the average male (indeed, the term is rarely used for men).
That makes sense. Most people notice that little feeling (or big) of being uncomfortable and opt to not push for more clarity or contradict others. I know a lot of people like this and it turns out they still say things like “Latin X” and shudder at the word “master” in front of bedroom.
Isn't the conspiracy space considered to be more conservative than liberal? I'm generally accused of being a conservative if I entertain or discuss a "conspiracy."
I think so. But now I’m hearing about the stolen election from Kamala Harris. And as far as Epstein goes, I think the democrats are just jumping on the opportunity to damage trump but they either don’t believe or don’t care if he did anything nefarious
intuitively, I figure Trump was in Epstein's circle - nefariously or otherwise - but that l KNOW that list isn't exclusive to one political party... "One Nation Under Blackmail" by Whitney Webb is a pretty thorough investigation on Epstein and Robert Maxwell and others... Actually, I'd love to see Meghan interview Whitney.
Check out the rebranding! I like the dot pixel portrait... nice old school visual media ref.
What you’re talking about here goes straight to the heart of why I became Jewish. Meghan knows that I recently converted to Judaism, and this conversation has given me a perfect chance to explain why. And, yeah – you know converts – born Jews might not proselytize, but Jews by Choice do. Seriously, it IS a path to working on your personality that some might find as great as I have.
For me, joining Judaism wasn’t about God or spirituality – I’m not big on either of those. It was about becoming a better person and a better member of my community (both within my Temple and in the world at large). What drew me in was Jewish practice, especially in Reform Judaism, which is focused on self-reflection, repairing the world, helping others, and expressing gratitude. In fact, the Jewish tradition of Mussar frames character-work as not merely self-help but as communal and ethical growth. As Alan Morinis puts it in Hadassah Magazine, Mussar means “working on yourself – but not for the sake of yourself.”
Every year, the Jewish calendar builds to the High Holy Days – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – which are all about renewal. At Tashlich, which happens between those two holidays, we symbolically cast our past wrongs into flowing water. It’s a moment to name what we want to change in ourselves and set an intention for the year ahead. And you set this intention to the community – which is so much more powerful than a New Year’s resolution. You are asking for accountability from others about your flaws. Then, on Yom Kippur – often misunderstood as a somber day of guilt – we actually experience a joyful release. Past unkind deeds are forgiven, and you get a genuine fresh start with the plan already set for how you want to improve in the next year.
At Tashlich this year, I set my intention to work on my weakest spot: not snapping or showing impatience, especially with my wife. When I look at my personality through the Big Five, I’m very conscientious (80th percentile) – which leads directly into my anger issue (67th percentile) and my lack of humility (14th percentile). So, to make real change, I need to dial down the perfectionism, lower the quick-to-anger response, and raise humility. Judaism has its own language for this – middot, the traits of character – and teaches that growth isn’t about erasing who you are but balancing your traits so they serve the greater good.
And it’s not just about the people we love or just within the congregation. Jewish practice pushes us to extend that work outward – even toward those we dislike, disagree with, or see as opponents. The goal is to build a moral and ethical society for everyone, rooted in justice and compassion – shalom in the fullest sense: wholeness and peace for the world.
Judaism is all about changing your personality and a really great way of becoming less of a jerk and more of a mensch.
I feel my liberal friends have gotten much more close minded... not open to anything that does have a bunch of rainbow emojis and inclusiveness.
On mental health differences in conservatives vs liberals, Derek Thompson surfaced some research suggesting it's just how the question is worded.
New study: Research shows liberals have worse mental health than conservatives. But what if you ask about "mood" to avoid possible conservative stigma around "mental health" issues?
A: "When respondents were asked to assess their mood, the gap between liberals and conservatives disappeared. Conservatives were actually somewhat less likely than liberals to provide a highly positive rating of their overall mood."
https://x.com/DKThomp/status/1971631866663841833
interesting!
I love this topic! I think most of us secretly wish we could change our personalities a little (or a lot).
The best work, imo, on personality and political thought is Thomas Sowell’s “a conflict of visions”. Jason Riley wrote a biography a few yrs ago on Sowell that was great. Maybe you could get Riley on to discuss?
I suspect the heterodox community is full of people with gender atypical personalities and low agreeableness. I’m certainly more neurotic than the average male (indeed, the term is rarely used for men).
That makes sense. Most people notice that little feeling (or big) of being uncomfortable and opt to not push for more clarity or contradict others. I know a lot of people like this and it turns out they still say things like “Latin X” and shudder at the word “master” in front of bedroom.
Because doing that, rather than just going with the flow and adopting predictable positions, reliably leads to disagreements.
I’ve found it reliably leads to people shaking their head in agreement and internally saying “I’m not talking to this guy anymore”. Haha.
"Do you want to explore these memes?" lolololol Love it... good point.
Isn't the conspiracy space considered to be more conservative than liberal? I'm generally accused of being a conservative if I entertain or discuss a "conspiracy."
I think so. But now I’m hearing about the stolen election from Kamala Harris. And as far as Epstein goes, I think the democrats are just jumping on the opportunity to damage trump but they either don’t believe or don’t care if he did anything nefarious
lol - stolen election from Kamala Harris? Are you kidding me? She STOLE the nomination.
intuitively, I figure Trump was in Epstein's circle - nefariously or otherwise - but that l KNOW that list isn't exclusive to one political party... "One Nation Under Blackmail" by Whitney Webb is a pretty thorough investigation on Epstein and Robert Maxwell and others... Actually, I'd love to see Meghan interview Whitney.
Interesting
I have a buddy who describes himself in his youth as a conservative who was liberal from the waste down.
Saw The Killers in 2015... such a good show!