A Sheep Among The Wolves
The Jewish People have always been a sheep among the wolves. That’s part of the Divine masterplan. Why that is, is truly part of the mystery of Creation and a challenge of faith. Nonetheless, that is the way it is and as much as we’ve tried to run from it by attempting to integrate, history has shown that we remain separate.
In fact, when we embrace our separateness we end up a lot happier because we have a sense of self of who we are and those around us have a greater respect for us.
This story didn’t start when the Jewish People entered Israel under Joshua or even at Sinai. It started at the beginning of the Egyptian Exile, recounted in this week’s Torah portion, and continues until this very day.
What we can learn from the Egyptian Exile is how to be among our non Jewish neighbors. In fact that is the message that we say on Passover eve, in every generation we are obligated to see ourselves as if we ourselves went out of Egypt. If we listen to the messages of the Exile and Exodus we are more fortified to indeed live our lives with a sense of self and impact instead of living as victims of circumstances.
Over the next few weeks I’d like to share one brief insight that can help fortify us in this journey.
This week we turn to the opening of the Torah portion where the Torah lists the names of the children of Israel as the Exile begins. Even though the Torah listed them just a short while ago as Jacob entered Egypt, the Torah recounts it here again.
In Jewish law there is a principal of nullification. That is when items that are not kosher or not permitted get mixed in with kosher items or permitted items, in certain instances the kosher item can overrule the non kosher item and nullify it. (Eg. and an over simplification, if there are 60 times the kosher vs. non kosher.)
However, this is only true when the items we are talking about are items that are not counted. Items that are sold be weight don’t get their own identity – think flour, rice or grapes. Items that are sold by volume have their own identity – think eggs or avocados.
When an item has its own identity it doesn’t get lost in a larger amount no matter how large that amount is.
As the slavery began, the Torah counts the People again to give them their own identity, to make them count, to assure them that no matter what happens, no matter how mixed in or mixed up we get we will never get completely nullified.
We always have the power to rise up and stand out. All it takes is a willingness to embrace the fact that you count and to embrace your Jewish identity and Jewish name.
May this Shabbos be the one we all stand a little taller and embrace our name and our identity.
Good Shabbos!
