The Jewish world is engaged in a healthy conversation about dealing with antisemitism. This discussion got particularly animated this week surrounding the Robert Kraft sponsored Superbowl ad targeting antisemitism. On one side you have the American Jewish establishment (ADL, JFNA, and others) and those that argue that antisemitism must be identified, tracked, confronted, and mitigated through legislation, information, and communication.
On the other side you have those that are calling for an internal strengthening of Jewish identity as a way of inoculating ourselves against antisemitism and demonstrating to others that we are strong and proud in our Jewishness. NY Times columnist, Bret Stephens gave a highly publicized talk touting this approach recently at the “92 St. Y” in NY.
Much of the debate surrounds the question of who we are trying to influence; non-Jewish friends or foes, or Jews who may be cowering due to antisemitism. Of course, both target audiences are important and both goals are necessary. It is a question of emphasis.
This past Shabbat, Chabad at Tulane hosted Shabbat 1000. Its brand is ironically outdated because this year there were nearly 2,000 participants. That constitutes more than 50% of the total Jewish population at Tulane University. 2,000 college students declaring the Shema. 2,000 college students singing Oseh Shalom, Am Yisrael Chai, and Shalom Aleichem. Hundreds of boys laying Tefillin and hundreds of girls lighting candles before Shabbat. 2,000 Tulane students celebrating Shabbat together, leaving with their Jewish identity strengthened and empowered.
Malkie told me that she heard from a mother of a student that her daughter and friends came to their residence after the event and could not stop talking about how empowered and uplifted they were.
What is a Jewish identity? What is a Jew? What message do we convey to empower our youth and our elders to feel proud of their Jewishness?
Let us look at the name of our people, “Yisrael.” Our sages tell us that Yisrael is a scrambling of the letters that spell “Li Rosh.” “Li Rosh,” spoken in the voice of Hashem, means that the people of Israel are “for me like a head.” Hashem values the Jewish people as one would value their own head.
Now one might think that to be deserving of that valuation, one must conduct oneself in a particular manner, following the Torah and the ways of Hashem. Yet, the Talmud declares in no uncertain terms, “Yisrael (a Jew), though he may sin, he is still Yisrael.” This means that by our very existence as Jews, we are regarded by Hashem to be as valuable as one’s head.
When a Jew, young or old, lives with the awareness of how special he or she is to Hashem, and projects that awareness onto their very identity, that is a proud Jew. A proud Jew is less likely to be cowered by antisemitism. And let me tell you a secret, in the long run, a proud Jew is less likely to experience antisemitism. (I know that antisemites are not a “one size fits all.” But in many instances, this is so.)
So, “Just Jew It,” proudly and joyfully. Know what your identity is. Know how much Hashem values you for being you. Now take that joy and shine it upon the world by living Jewishly.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin