By Rabbi Yisroel
Shusterman
This week’s Parsha
Perspective is dedicated by Mr. Binyomin Philipson in memory of his late mother Mrs.
Ellen (Elka bas Zisel) Philipson OBM
How important is the
preservation of the "ethnic" aspect of Judaism? Over the course of
the centuries, Jews were always distinguishable from their fellow citizen not
only by their unique beliefs and rituals, but also by their distinctly Jewish
culture. For the most part they conversed in their own language; whether it was Ladino, Yiddish,
or any of the other "Jewish" languages which sprouted up over time.
Jews were also distinguishable by their uniquely Jewish garb and names. In
whichever country they landed, the Jewish community managed to create a
sub-culture which effectively separated them from their co-citizens.
Today, many minimize
the importance of maintaining these external expressions of our culture.
Perhaps this insularity was necessary when the Jews lived in the Dark Ages and
needed to distance themselves from the rest of the population who at best were
ignorant and superstitious. In a modern and enlightened society, however, there
is no need to flaunt our Judaism by maintaining a Jewish sub-culture. Yiddish
is for Bubby and Zaidy, and Jewish culture is fascinating...when
viewed in a documentary or as a museum exhibit. Instead, Jewish beliefs and
rituals should be emphasized: belief in G‑d and the Torah as
His word, observing the Shabbat, prayer, and eating Kosher. Language,
attire, and names are considered to be mere externalities, shallow compared to
the depth of Torah and mitzvot.
"Those who do not
study history are condemned to repeat it." Research into Jewish life in
Egypt - the first time our people were guests in a foreign land - reveals an
interesting fact: our ancestors were actually very lacking in the area of
Jewish observance. They largely assumed the pagan beliefs of their Egyptian
taskmasters and were bare of mitzvot. What they did possess was a fierce
Jewish pride and a stubborn refusal to identify themselves as Egyptians.
This week's Torah
portion begins with the words "And these are the names (shemot) of the
sons of Israel who came to Egypt...Reuven, Shimon..."
The Torah mentions the names of the Tribes because they played a pivotal
role in the eventual redemption from Egyptian exile. The Midrash says
that the Jews merited redemption from Egypt because they didn't adopt the culture
of their host nation. They never changed their Jewish names, they continued
conversing in the Holy Tongue, and they maintained their distinctively Jewish
garb. "Reuven and Shimon went down [to Egypt], Reuven and Shimon left
[Egypt], for they did not change their names."
It's no coincidence
that the entire Book of Exodus, which discusses the Redemption and its
immediate aftermath, is called Shemot.
Using one's Jewish
name or wearing a kippah may not be as meaningful or spiritually
uplifting as studying Torah or doing a mitzvah, but in a certain sense these
symbols of Jewish identity are far more important. They demonstrate Jewish
pride and dignity, they are symbols of our uniqueness, they are our defense
against assimilation, and in their merit we will witness yet another
redemption; the Final Redemption.
May you have a
meaningful and uplifting Shabbos!
