Insights on Memory and Humanity
I heard an interview recently with actor and creator Ramy Youssef that stuck with me. He noted that the Arabic word for human, insan, is related to nasiyan, meaning to forget — a linguistic insight that captures the human tendency to be inconsistent in belief and behavior.
The Series 'Ramy' and the Human Condition
Youssef’s observation came to life in his series Ramy, where a young Muslim-American wrestles with faith, identity, and moral contradictions. That same tension between remembering and forgetting is a central motif in the Hebrew Bible, especially in the book of Deuteronomy.
Memory as a Foundation in Deuteronomy
As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses delivers a final series of speeches summarizing their story and restating the law. He warns them not to lose sight of who they are or what God has done for them; memory, Moses argues, is essential to faithful living.
Recall of the Past and Ethical Living
Deuteronomy repeatedly urges the people to recall their past: that they were once enslaved in Egypt and that God rescued them. Moses frames obedience to God’s comm...