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The Ultimate Assurance

Friday, 19 July, 2024 - 7:28 am

The Houthis have apparently managed to hit Tel Aviv. In a tragic strike today, at least one was killed and multiple were injured by a drone. Their message is obvious. Jews are not safe anywhere. Not in Paris and not in Tel Aviv. Not in Brooklyn and not in Auckland.

Israel will certainly find the proper response.

But, how does this influence my life?

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In this week’s Parsha of Balak, the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam attempts to curse the Jewish people, but eventually blesses them instead.  He was hired by Balam, king of Moav to “come and curse this people for me, for they are too powerful for me.”

Bilaam’s ultimate prophecy is the prophecy of the “end of days,” the time of the final redemption.  He was hired to foretell the destruction of the Jewish people.  Instead, he ends up prophesying of their lasting survival and dominance.

What indeed assures the survival of the Jewish people?  Bilaam himself declares the uniqueness of the Jewish people, stating, “It is a nation that will dwell alone, and will not be reckoned among the nations.”

Many have argued that our survival is only assured by virtue of our absolute or near-total integration into wider society.  If only we would stop being so Jewish, we’d be accepted. If we agreed to the norms of our neighbors, they would embrace us.

From Hollywood to academia; from medicine to government; and from public schools to cultural melting pots – we’ve tried our hand at all types of assimilation. While we have achieved much acceptance into society, we have not achieved the ultimate assurance of our safety and stability. Perhaps, the opposite has occurred.

Sometimes it takes an enemy to see you for who you truly are.

Bilaam says it as he (and all he represents) sees it.  We are indeed a different people.  We are different because of what we believe, because of who we are, and because of our ultimate destiny.  It is our own acceptance of these distinctions that will bring greater acceptance from our non-Jewish neighbors.

In fact, in the end of the portion we read about a real threat to Jewish continuity.  After Bilaam failed to secure the Jewish people’s demise on G-d’s terms, he gave Balak the only advice he had left: Separate the people from their G-d, from their Torah and their values.  If the Jewish people are bereft of their Jewishness, they too will fade with history.  Based on his counsel, the Midianites attempted to infiltrate the Jewish people by intermarrying with them and influencing them to worship idolatry. And they almost succeeded, save for the heroics of Pinchas (more on that in next week’s portion).

Hamas and the Houthis may be barbarians.  Crazy people with automatic weapons may wreak tragic havoc. But, none will ever wipe the Jews off the map.

Turns out that the greatest danger we face is forgetting our own Jewishness. The threats today are real (and minor in comparison to what our ancestors have faced).  But, there is a much greater threat.

Will there be Jews if we don’t practice Judaism? Will there be Jews if Judaism fades into a melting pot of whatever happens to be popular at a given moment in time?

Take it from our enemies: Being prouder and more active Jews is the recipe for Jewish continuity.

And, for worldwide peace and purpose.

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