A MOMENT OF JEWISH WISDOM: THE PORCUPINES AS A YARDSTICK ON WHY A NATION MUST LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER

Drawing upon the philosophical parable of the porcupines popularized by Arthur Schopenhauer and later reflected upon by the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, political commentator and former opposition leader Saviour Chishimba has published a profound reflection on the imperative of national unity within Zambia. The classic metaphor describes a group of porcupines trying to survive a bitterly cold winter night; if they stand too far apart, they freeze, yet if they draw too close, their sharp quills prick one another. Ultimately, they learn to maintain a delicate balance—staying close enough to share warmth while enduring the minor discomforts of each other's proximity, recognizing that the external cold presents a far greater existential threat. Applying this timeless lesson to the Zambian socio-political landscape, Chishimba, writing under the Hebrew name Yehudah Ben David as an Orthodox Jewish scholar, highlights how deeply interconnected citizens are despite ideological differences, political rivalries, and cultural debates. In a nation characterized by a mosaic of diverse ethnic groups and political affiliations, friction and political disagreements are an inevitable part of civic life. However, he cautions that the discomfort of political compromises and policy disagreements pales in comparison to the catastrophic consequences of severe social fragmentation, political hatred, and national disintegration. Reflecting on his personal perspective as a Zambian citizen of Jewish faith, the author draws parallels to the profound sense of mutual responsibility embedded within the Jewish community, where the safety and dignity of an individual are taken up collectively by the wider society. He urges Zambians to cultivate a similar ethos of mutual solidarity, asserting that national survival requires historic memory, shared responsibility, and a commitment to safeguarding the peace that the country has enjoyed since independence. Governments, political parties, and admin