An unrealistic optimistic stance is a common response to challenges and crises. R. Kivelevitz points to the general Israeli reaction to recent group accident tragedies among Israeli Haredim and the odd oblivious reaction in the victims’ cohorts. Prof. Juni adds to the mix the Israeli pattern of reckless driving and the fact that many are unfazed by the chronic threat from Gaza. He outlines the classic developmental understanding of positivity in people as based on the childhood experience of the omnipotent father who can do anything. As the child matures and realizes that he or she is not under comprehensive protection, this attitude of absolute trust in powerful others continues even when there are no concrete powerful others around. Indeed, Dr. Juni points out that this attitude becomes amalgamated into a religious perspective that G-d is in absolute control of everything around us. Rabbi K. points out that classic Theological thinkers in Judaism actually see childhood omnipotent beliefs as the basis of orthodox Jewish theology. The discussants explore other understandings of reckless practices among many cultures. One idea advanced is that in pre-scientific times, people have no idea of physical causality, and therefore evinced a general model of unrealistic positivity – – which was then incorporated into general culture and religion. In other strains of thought among certain groups, is that belief in good outcomes somehow causes those very outcomes, a notion evident in the “Think well, and it shall be good” bumper stickers throughout religious communities. A theological train of thought is explored based on religious belief in Divine micromanagement which can be seen either as absolute trust that G-d will bring only positivity, but it is also expressed as fatalism in some, implying that we might as well not do anything because we cannot change anything. Finally, the historical origins of Jewish life for hundreds of years is discussed, noting that the only possible defense Jews had in their experience with countless uncontrollable programs was the defense of denial, and that this stance has continued even when denial became necessary and non-functional. R. Kivelevitz concludes that constant focus on possible dangers and disasters would be paralyzing and incapacitating, so that some degree of optimism and ignoring potential dangers is crucial for “normal“ living, and that we must balance caution with optimism (even if the optimism is sometimes unwarranted) in order to maintain our daily lives. In this vein, certain risks are warranted and even required so that individuals and societies can exist and thrive. 

Doctor Samuel Juni is one of the foremost research psychologists in the world today. He has published groundbreaking original research in seventy different peer reviewed journals, and is cited continuously with respect by colleagues and experts in the field who have built on his theories and observations. Samuel Juni studied in Yeshivas Chaim Berlin under Rav Yitzchack Hutner, and in Yeshiva University as a Talmid of Rav Joseph Dov Soloveitchick. Professor Juni is a prominent member of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists, and has regularly presented addresses to captivated audiences. Associated with NYU since 1979, Juni has served as Director of MA and PhD programs, all the while heading teams engaged in important research. Professor Juni's scholarship on aberrant behavior across the cultural, ethnic, and religious spectrum is founded on psychometric methodology and based on a psycho-dynamic psychopathology perspective. He is arguably the preeminent expert in Differential Diagnostics, with each of his myriad studies entailing parallel efforts in theory construction and empirical data collection from normative and clinical populations. Professor Juni created and directed NYU's Graduate Program in Tel Aviv titled Cross-Cultural Group Dynamics in Stressful Environments. Based in Yerushalayim, he collaborates with Israeli academic and mental health specialists in the study of dissonant factors and tensions in the Arab-Israeli conflict and those within the Orthodox Jewish community, while exploring personality challenges of second-generation Holocaust survivors. Below is a partial list of the journals to which Professor Juni has contributed over 120 articles. Many are available on line Journal of Forensic Psychology Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma. International Review of Victimology The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease International Forum of Psychoanalysis Journal of Personality Assessment Journal of Abnormal Psychology Journal of Psychoanalytic Anthropology Psychophysiology Psychology and Human Development Journal of Sex Research Journal of Psychology and Judaism Contemporary Family Therapy American Journal on Addictions Journal of Criminal Psychology Mental Health, Religion & Culture As Rosh Beis Medrash, Rabbi Avraham Kivelevitz serves as Rav and Posek for the morning minyan at IDT. Hundreds of listeners around the globe look forward to his weekly Shiur in Tshuvos and Poskim. Rav Kivelevitz is a Maggid Shiur for Dirshu International in Talmud and Halacha as well as a Dayan with the Beth Din of America. Please leave us a review or email us at [email protected]