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Refugees or Exiles?

Friday, 20 November, 2015 - 10:21 am

In the aftermath of the tragic and horrific attacks in Paris last weekend, we are left numb, saddened and perhaps terrified. Sadly, this is exactly what the terrorists wish to accomplish.

Thousands of miles away, in the United States, a great debate has ensued about refugees.  With the potential for terrorists to infiltrate the ranks of refugees – who deserve our compassion – we are uncertain about the risk of a terrorist arriving on American shores disguised as a refugee. Should we ban all refugees from that part of the world? Is collective punishment warranted due to the security concerns? Is it moral to deny true refugees a haven? Is it possible to screen them properly? Will American culture and ideals be compromised if too many are allowed entry?

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As Jews, we know very well what it means to be a refugee. We have been forced to wander from one land to another in our long history.  We are now spread all over the world in many different countries. Yet, we are still all Jews.

So, I ask, are we refugees or are we exiles?

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In this week’s Torah portion, Vayetze, we read about Yaakov fleeing the land of Canaan due to his brother’s desire to murder him.  That should qualify him as a refugee.

However, Yaakov’s attitude toward his new home (such as praying to the Almighty to return safely) should demonstrate that he was, in fact, not a refugee. He was an exile. An exile still yearns to return home. An exile may be a model citizen in her host country. But she primarily identifies with her country of origin. She is here till things settle down and she can return home.

Yaakov never considered himself a true resident of Charan. He always aspired to return to the Holy Land – which he eventually did, two decades later. His values were the values of his parents’ home, not of the corrupt Lavan’s environment.

As Jews, we are deeply sensitive and grateful to the gracious acceptance we receive in countries like the United States. However, in the greater picture of Jewish identity and destiny, we are exiles – always remembering the values of Torah as our true principles.

The litmus test for a refugee may be whether he or she is ready to acclimate to American society. But the litmus test for a Jew is whether he or she behaves like a true exile, never straying from Torah and its commandments, wherever we may be.

Comments on: Refugees or Exiles?
12/23/2015

aeyanna Juste wrote...

Thank you.. I appreciate this point of view. It demonstrates true compassion.