In Parashat Toldot, the Torah gives an account of a relationship which represents one of the roots of anti-Semitism, that between the brothers Yaakov and Esav. In the opinion of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, expressed in a Beraita in Sifri (Beha’alotecha 69) cited by Rashi in the context of the meeting between the brothers, “It is a well-known international ‘Law’ that Esav hates Yaakov.” That relationship of hatred between Edom and Israel perhaps climaxed in our tragic encounter with Hitler in the last century. Currently, we are engaged in another life-and-death struggle, this time with the Muslim world, descendants of Yishmael, half-brother of Yitzchak. Various attempts have been made over the centuries to define the roots of anti-Semitism. A rather disparaging view, but one seemingly supported by a degree of empirical evidence is that expressed by John Paul Sartre in “Anti-Semite and Jew,” that Judaism is merely a creation of anti-Semitism. The Torah suggests another origin, one rooted in the phenomenon of sibling rivalry. When a parent displays greater love for one of the siblings, even in the most understated and subtle manner, the other(s) develop jealousy that “blossoms” into antagonism and even into hatred of the favored sibling. This is true even within the Jewish Family, as we see clearly when Yaakov Avinu gave a “many-colored coat” to Yoseph (Bereshit 37:3), his brothers saw this correctly as unmistakable evidence of their father’s preference for Yoseph, and they “hated him” (Bereshit 37:4). We are still paying for the actions they took because of that hatred. In the area of anti-Semitism, hatred of the Jews by external sources, ancient sibling rivalry is likely a poisonous root as well. Non-Jews do not take kindly to the fact that the Jewish People consider themselves, but only because the Torah supports their claim, to be the “Chosen People.” On the eve of the Revelation of HaShem on Mt. Sinai to give the Torah to the Jewish People, HaShem says, “...you shall be for Me the most beloved treasure of all peoples...you shall be for me a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation.” (Shemot 19:5-6) Ogden Nash wrote, “How odd of G-d to
choose the Jews!” But a Jewish response to this goes more-or-less like this:
“It’s not so odd; the Jews chose G-d!” The gist of this response breaks
down, in crude terms, to “It takes two to tango!” More precisely, it is
something about the Jewish soul; spiritual DNA, if you will. Certainly not
physical DNA, because an individual from any nation: Chinese, Eskimo, Indian
(Asian or Native American), can become Jewish. But spiritually, there is a
certain affinity for, a certain consciousness of G-d, in the Jewish soul. “I
have set HaShem before me always,” is an underlying theme of King David in
the Book of Tehilim.” In Parashat Vezot HaBerachah (Devarim 33:2) Moshe says, “HaShem came from Sinai and He shone forth from Paran.” Rashi comments, “HaShem came to Israel as they stood at the foot of Sinai, as a chatan comes to greet his bride.” But HaShem is, above all, fair, for he had first offered the Torah to the Children of Seir, but they had refused it. Pirkei Avot in 5:19 describes true love, “Every love that depends upon some physical thing, when that thing disappears, so does the love. But love which is not dependent upon any physical thing, never disappears.” The Rambam in Hilchot Teshuvah 10:2-3 develops that idea: “One who serves out of love, engages in the study of Torah and the performance of Mitzvot, and walks in the ways of wisdom, not because of anything that exists in the world, and not for fear of punishment, nor to inherit anything, but does the truth because it is the truth...this was the level of Avraham Avinu, whom HaShem called, ‘the one who loved Him...’ And the nature of this love is that he should love HaShem with a great and fierce love, to the point that his soul is tied to the love of HaShem, and he is “insanely” in love at all times – as if he were sick because of love of a certain woman and his mind is never empty of that love, and he is “insanely” in love with her at all times, while he sits or stands or eats or drinks. Greater than this should be the love of HaShem in the hearts of those who love Him, “insane” continually with that love, as He commanded us, ‘with all your heart and all your soul’... (Devarim 6:5)” It is this mutual love between G-d and Israel that is the source of the jealousy and the hatred of the nations towards Israel. But it is our fondest hope and prayer that HaShem will soon send the Mashiach and that “...he will perfect the entire world to serve HaShem together, as it is said, ‘For then I will convert the language of all nations to a pure language, in which they will call upon the Name of HaShem, and serve Him in unity. (Zephaniah 3:9)’ (Rambam – Hilchot Melachim 11:4)”
Rabbi Pinchas Frankel |
