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We are challenged with this question almost daily by both Jews and non-Jews alike. This misconception stems from a skewed perspective of the role of the Nation of Israel and a misunderstanding of the Bible itself.
The Jewish people are not only misunderstood by the nations, they themselves have developed a distorted self image. As we know from the book of Isaiah, the Jewish people have been given the task of being a “light unto the nations”. However, since the destruction of the Second Temple the Jewish people have been forced to live as uninvited guests in countries all over the world. Throughout the exile, the Jews experienced a strong and almost overpowering desire to merge with the nations. The reform and secular-nationalist movements came into being through this desire, declaring to their fellow Jews, “Be a man in public and a Jew at home.”
The G-d of Israel promised Ezekiel that this desire would never come to fruition. “And that which comes into your mind shall never come about, that you say we will be like the nations…”(20:32). Even throughout the most difficult of times there was always a remnant of Israel who held on to our scriptures, laws and lifestyle with all their heart and all their soul. They lived in insulated societies focusing on one thing and one thing alone- Jewish survival.
As unwanted strangers scattered throughout the world, the Jewish people could no longer fulfill their mission of spreading the knowledge of G-d to the Nations. Atrocities like the Crusades and the Inquisition taught the Jews that the Gentiles were not interested in hearing their message. After centuries of persecution, the idea of reaching out to the non-Jews became so unfathomable that it was essentially erased from the Jewish consciousness. For them, the nations had no interest in the Torah (the Five Books of Moses), and therefore had no claim to it.
To remedy this misconception we must first understand who the Bible was written for and who was meant to benefit from its wisdom. Many Jewish commentators have asked, if the Torah is a book of instructions for the Jewish people, then why does it begin with the story of creation and not with a commandment for the Jews to fulfill? The answer of course is simple. The Torah was not intended solely for the Jewish people. The Bible begins with a declaration to the world that G-d alone brought the universe into existence and He alone is to be worshiped.
The Midrash, an integral part of the Oral Tradition, explains as follows, “The Torah was given in an ownerless place, for if it had been given in the Land of Israel, the nations of the world would say that they had no part in it. Therefore it was given in the desert, and anyone who wished to receive it should come and receive.”
The revelation at Sinai was the greatest manifestation of G-d’s presence on earth. It was the only time G-d revealed Himself to an entire nation. Many individuals have claimed to have had a divine encounter, but only one people has experienced a national revelation. This incredible miracle was a vehicle not only to distinguish the Jewish people, but a way to bless the entire world. “And you shall be unto Me a Kingdom of priests and a Holy Nation…” (Exodus 19:6). The function of the priests within Israel is to educate and bless the Israelites. The Jews were chosen as a nation to be a kingdom of priests, and as such, our main function on a national level is to teach and bless the nations of the world.
All this was foretold and promised to our forefather Abraham when G-d first appeared to him; “…through you all families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3). The Divine task of the seed of Abraham is to bless the entire world, nothing less. At the core of our being, we were created to be a reflection of His Light and to illuminate the world with His rays of holiness.
As we approach the End of Days, this task of teaching will only grow in importance. In the book of Isaiah we are told of a time that the Israel will be flooded with people who want to come and learn from the Jewish people. “And many people shall go and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the G-d of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways and we will walk in His path, for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of G-d from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3).
Many Christians have taken the first steps of this process. They are returning to their Jewish roots, supporting Israel and have started developing true friendships with the Jewish people. It is time now for the Jews of the world to hear the divine calling and begin to live as the Light they were always meant to be. |
