In actuality, however, as we shall see, it is a book written in defense of the chosen religion. For the Jew, this battle of defense is ultimately won through the exercise of free choice. We will not enter here into a discussion of the concept of free choice. We have often played the part of the persecuted people upon the stage of history. Here, however, the scope of the problem is much larger.
Persecution is a political, social, material state.
To be despised is a much lower level. Like the Kuzari king, we all tend to follow the masses. We are convinced to buy a particular product simply because other people have purchased it before us. We must develop an awareness of the dangers of social consensus. As Jews, as believers, as ethical human beings, we constantly find ourselves in the minority.