What’s the secret to becoming a real Israeli? Navigating the bureaucratic maze? Mastering Hebrew? Keeping your cool when people cut ahead of you at the supermarket checkout line? The answer: none of the above. If you really want to crack the code, there’s one word you must embrace in all its chutzpah-infused glory: Davka.
Is davka a word? A philosophy? A survival strategy? The answer is yes! Davka means “in spite of,” “precisely because,” and “just to make a point.” It’s the fuel and the fire of the Israeli spirit, the stubborn resilience that has built a country out of sand, startups out of ideas, and dinner from an empty fridge.
Let’s explore davka and how you can wield it like a sabra pro.
Davka as a Coping Mechanism
Life in Israel is a beautiful mess. Bureaucracy is confusing, the heat is unbearable, and there’s always some guy yelling at the bank teller (and somehow getting served first). But does this break Israelis? Davka lo! (Definitely not!) Instead, they thrive on the challenge.
Flat tire on the highway? Davka, you’ll make a new best friend in the guy who stopped by to help you change it. Supermarket line moving too slowly? Davka, you’ll turn it into an opportunity to discuss politics with the lady in front of you. When things go sideways, Israelis don’t complain—they lean in harder, davka because nothing motivates them like proving the universe wrong.
Davka—A Way to Help Others
If you ever need help in Israel, you’ll quickly realize that Israelis don’t just assist you—they davka assist you. Meaning, they’ll go out of their way to do it, and they’ll make sure you know they went out of their way. Ask for directions, and instead of pointing vaguely, they’ll personally escort you three blocks down to make sure you don’t get lost. Tell your neighbor your washing machine is broken, and suddenly, five other neighbors show up with a toolkit, each one arguing about the best way to fix it. Israelis help, because helping is not just about kindness—it’s about proving that even in a chaotic world, davka we take care of our own.
Davka in Times of Trouble
Israelis don’t just endure difficulties—davka they take them as a personal challenge. During a crisis, you’ll see a level of humor, resilience and sheer defiance that can only be described as davka in action. When rockets fall, people don’t just run to shelters—they crack jokes about it on WhatsApp groups before the sirens even stop. When the economy dips, Israelis don’t scale back—they open new restaurants. If someone tells an Israeli something can’t be done, they will davka do it and then build an entire startup around it just to prove you wrong.
It’s not denial; it’s a belief that reality is negotiable, and that no obstacle is greater than sheer willpower.
Davka in Everyday Life
Now that you understand the essence of davka, it’s time to apply it in your own daily life. Here are some essential ways to embrace the davka mindset:
- Learn Hebrew, davka by speaking it badly. Israelis respect effort more than perfection. They will correct your grammar, but they’ll also love you for trying.
- Drive like a local. If someone honks at you, don’t get flustered. Davka honk louder and with even more passion.
- Ignore store closing hours. If a shopkeeper says they’re closing, ask for “just one thing” and watch them davka keep the store open for another 20 minutes.
- Argue about everything, even when you agree. Israelis davka love a good debate, even when there’s nothing at stake. It’s a bonding ritual.
- Find joy in the chaos. Whether it’s a delayed flight, a power outage or a heatwave, learn to say, “Davka!” and smile.
Conclusion: Davka, You Belong Here!
As an oleh/olah, you will face challenges—many of them. But the key to thriving in Israel is not just enduring those challenges but embracing them with a davka mindset. Say yes when things seem impossible and laugh when they don’t go your way. Will it solve all your problems? Lav davka (look that one up). But it may just solve enough to make it bearable.
Olim Paveway’s Olim Toolbox offers timely tips for anyone moving to or visiting Israel.
Join our WhatsApp at https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ic8dNfdNlspGAPtmcCKtbf for more tips and chat with our experts live every Sunday at 2 PM EST, at https://tinyurl.com/y2sj3z72—a new topic every week.
Planning aliyah? Recently moved? Write [email protected] to arrange for a Paveway personal guide (melaveh).
