Salt of the Earth
"Salt of the Earth," in spoken Israeli Hebrew, is a title bestowed by the masses upon a person who is Jewish, a true and rooted Israeli.
Required traits:
born and educated here, served in the army and went to university, got married and built a home here, raised children and married them off, and worked here, paid taxes, and voted in elections.
It is true that there are millions like this, but one who is lucky enough to be counted among the holders of the title "Salt of the Earth" has something more that others do not: a bit of charisma, a bit of sex appeal, and at least one more distinguishing trait from a number of traits that justifies the title. Service in a special unit in the IDF, for example, can add points. A captivating smile and a good heart, helping others, being a good friend, excelling at work, and any other trait considered positive helps the lucky winner on their way to receiving the coveted title.
From the moment the title is received—it already contains all the good traits. You can say about the man that he is Salt of the Earth, and you don't need to elaborate too much.
"Salt of the Earth" is not an official title.
It is part of the Israeli story dictated by the Jewish establishment and passed down from generation to generation with the help of the media, family, friends, community, and sector.
The title is especially common among those who are no longer alive.
Someone who dies in a well-publicized event, such as a natural disaster or a fatal accident, can also earn the title without having to prove it. It's enough for their friends and family to testify about them.
The tombstone on Sergeant Elad Pollak's grave with the inscription "Salt of the Earth. An outstanding athlete who fell during operational activity."
"Salt of the Earth" is one degree less than an "exemplary figure" to be followed.
The "Salt of the Earth" did not serve as a government minister, chief rabbi, or Knesset member, did not star in famous movies, did not write best-selling books, and did not manage an economic conglomerate.
The "salt" is one of the people—a strong link in the chain of the masses, part of the mosaic that makes up the Israeli narrative.
He is usually a man.
The men are always at the forefront. They were the pioneers and the good guys, of whom the poet Nathan Alterman said: "Nasu et amam alei shechem" (They carried their people on their shoulders).
Women were meant to be a helpmate to them and could not be accepted into the team of the country's salts.
In the 21st century, this too has changed, along with Israeli society that is closing in on 75 years of existence, with criteria that have changed over the years, and it is now possible to attach the title to women as well.
More on that in "Historical bits," below.
Salt of the Earth - An Israeli Portrait, Wilfrid Israel Museum
Historical bits:
The title "Salt of the Earth," how ironic, has its origins in the Christian "New Testament," in a sermon delivered by Jesus of Nazareth in the Galilee, 2,000 years ago.
Like other "gentile" phrases, it too entered the national lexicon in the Land of the Jews—that same land that shed his blood, and it is carried in the mouths of those same Jews who cast him out from their midst.
The title and its bestowal have undergone a development, following the processes in Israeli society:
In the early years of the state, the title was attached to a select few: pioneers who drained swamps, builders of "The Hebrew Yishuv," sun-baked farmers, dedicated and loyal workers of the labor movement, fighters of the underground organizations that fought against the British Mandate, such as: the Palmach and the Haganah, graduates of youth movements, "Yefei HaBlorit VeHaTo'ar" (the fair-haired and handsome) and anyone whom the ruling hegemony considered a figure that fit the narrative being woven in Israel.
In the 1960s and 70s, the new elite joined the team: people of the "working settlement"—kibbutz and moshav members. Later, graduates of elite commando units, pilots, and senior IDF commanders joined. In many cases, there was an overlap in affiliations—the commando graduate was a kibbutz member and the senior commander grew up in a moshav.
Missing from the narrative were people of the right-wingers, who were excluded for political reasons and were not entitled to the title.
The ultra-Orthodox sector also did not use the title. They chose to attach titles whose origin is in Jewish sacred texts, such as: "Tzadik" (righteous person), "Yireh-Shamayim" (God-fearing), and so on.
The famous photo of the writer and playwright Yaakov Shabtai. This photo served for many decades as an Israeli icon of "Salt of the Earth.
In 1977, a transformation occurred in Israeli society:
the government changed, and a new establishment arose. The old hegemony of the left fell from its position, and the political right took over the leadership.
This was the signal for the new establishment to storm the narrative, and they expanded the Israeli story and added figures to suit their values. The team of "Salt of the Earth" recipients was joined by members of the Irgun and Lehi underground movements (who belonged to the right), and in general: people and figures from the right side of the map. And immediately after them, the founders of the settlements beyond the Green Line—the settlers, the wearers of knitted kippahs.
In the 21st century, Israel is filled with sectors and communities, and each one contributes its part to the Israeli story without top-down direction, and bestows the title upon its sons and daughters.
As the state marks 75 years, "Salt of the Earth" can be Mizrahi or Ashkenazi, religious or secular, a moshav member or an urbanite, a high-tech worker or a model, a marketing manager or a production worker, and anyone who is a son of this land and a part of its story.
And as happens with any valuable product, once many manufacturers produce it and many people buy it, it loses its original value and becomes a useful product, one of many.
This is part of "The Israeli Story 1948-2025" project
What is The Israeli Story ?
A curated selection of Israeli snapshots, those that were and still are with us. Each one deserves an updated definition with a few words of explanation along with a tiny bit of history. Just a little – and all of them together go into the virtual Israeli Story that will remain online for future generations. You can see what's included in it by clicking on the icon below.
