The magic minyan

The nation of Israel owes Prof. Dan Schechtman a huge thank you. Not only because of his grand achievement, nor only because he displayed a more attractive side of Israel to a hostile Scandinavia, but also because he brought a sense of collective fulfillment to the nation settled in Zion. Weekend newspaper headlines were filled with horror scenarios about the future of those just beyond our northern front, the deteriorating situation in Gaza and Egypt and the progress of Iran's nuclear program. The gloom of former President Moshe Katzav's incarceration, and the national shame that goes along with it, did nothing to improve our national mood either. Then, suddenly, we have an Israeli scientist decked out in a tuxedo, accepting the most prestigious prize for scientific achievements in the world, from King Carl Gustaf of Sweden no less.

Prof. Schechtman is the tenth Israeli recipient of this award, as revealed on the list that accompanied Sunday's articles in Israeli newspapers that were singing his praises.

The first of them was the magnificent writer Shmuel Yosef Agnon; soon after him came politicians Menachem Begin, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin, and following them a series of scientists, four chemists and two economists.

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One can understand some extraordinary things by examining this group. First of all, despite the fact that we are the People of the Book, apparently our literary faculties have weakened. We must make an effort to improve on this front. Second, although we are considered financially successful, apparently there is also room for improvement in economics. One can conclude, finally, that our greatest strengths lie in the diplomatic and scientific fields.

But it is a bit early to pat ourselves on the back because these achievements cover up a problematic reality for us.

In terms of the diplomatic front, we do not really need to expound. The reality that the Middle East is moving towards displays that not only are the chances of seeing another Nobel Peace Prize in the near future minimal, but also that there is a heavy shadow of doubt over those peace prizes already granted.

The failed Oslo Accords are a subject of public scrutiny. Concerning relations between Israel and Egypt, it is common knowledge that there are pessimistic voices with respect to the future of the peace treaty with Egypt, especially based on the results following the first round of elections there.

Even in the sciences, there is no room for complacency. For some time now, we have heard worrying criticism over the situation of the sciences in Israeli academic institutions. We hear about the lack of budgets, a decrease in jobs and mostly about the brain drain, people who escape to seek a better and more promising future on the far side of the ocean.

Thus this achievement should awaken and encourage us to do two essential things simultaneously.

The first thing is to learn from Prof. Schechtman's personal story: for many years he struggled against the rigidity of the scientific community and, in the end, he won. His story should teach us about the power of faith in the correctness of one's path.

It is a story that can strengthen both the courage and curiosity of all those who are afraid to introduce innovative scientific and artistic approaches for fear that they will not be accepted by the old guard, which anyway often suffers from rigidity of the mind.

Second, we must learn from this case about the incredible potential that exists in the state of Israel, despite the problems and hardships we are often dealing with.

Prof. Schechtman, as well as the rest of his Nobel Prize winning companions, reflect the human potential in Israeli society in the fields of science, politics and art. The realization of achievements in these disciplines will not only make Israel proudly march forward, but will take the entire region and humanity with it as well.

But keep in mind, this potential cannot be realized without encouraging an atmosphere of questioning, criticism, boldness and, mostly, curiosity.

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