|
November 27, 2009
We are a kingdom of priests
Chosenness implies a duty to bring humanity closer to G-d.
RABBI SHMUEL YESHAYAHU
I always hear the Jewish people referred to as the “chosen people.” This never sits well with me because I believe that all people are created equal. How can we give ourselves such a lofty name, and isn’t it possible that calling ourselves this has caused us more trouble than it’s worth?
First, let’s see the original source where we, the Jewish people, are referred to as “chosen.” In Exodus, Chapter 19, verses 3-6, G-d tells Moses to tell the people of Israel: “... if you obey Me and keep My covenant, you shall be to Me a treasure out of all peoples, for Mine is the entire earth. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation....”
Notice, that it is not that there is something inherent in us, as Jews, that makes us superior in any way. We will be a “kingdom of priests” if we keep the covenant.
We are an eclectic bunch of people from all over the world and all nationalities. I think so many of us cringe when we hear the term “chosen people” because it is often assumed that it means that Jews are better than other peoples, the way the Germans thought the Aryan race was superior to other peoples. This is an incorrect interpretation of the term. Being chosen doesn’t mean we’re better. It means we’re chosen for a specific mission or purpose in the world. As a kingdom of priests, our mission is to bring G-d closer to humanity and humanity closer to G-d.
But still, how were we chosen for that position? In actual fact, we weren’t chosen any more than we chose it. Abraham, our forefather, was the only one of his time that took upon himself the job of teaching people about one G-d. He chose to dedicate his life to this cause. Isaac and Jacob continued this impressive task until we became a whole nation whose task it was to carry out this mission.
That is not to say we are always successful in this task. This is why the Jewish people are compared to the moon and G-d is compared to the sun. The moon’s visibility periodically changes, depending on how much of the sun it is reflecting. The same is true for the Jewish people. Our brightness is dependant on how much we are reflecting G-d.
One might assume that believing you are chosen will lead to arrogance. This would be the case if we were chosen by people: when a human chooses something, it is being chosen over something else. It gives the chosen thing more importance, significance or a sense of entitlement. This chosenness can definitely lead to arrogance.
Being chosen by G-d has the opposite affect. It leads to humility. The closer you are to G-d, the more you realize how dependent and how small you are. Being close to G-d demands a lot of self-improvement and taking on of responsibility.
You can’t believe in G-d and be arrogant. You can’t truly believe that G-d, the infinite G-d, chose you and not feel at once humbled. We should see all our strength and successes in this world coming directly from G-d. The essence of our relationship with G-d should make us humble. Having this perspective also affects how we relate to other nations.
As well, the Jewish people is not an exclusive club. Anyone can take on conversion to Judaism and become a part of the “chosen people” if they choose to take on the responsibility. But, in Judaism, we don’t believe that anyone has to become Jewish in order to attain spiritual elevation or a place in the world to come. In fact, the Talmud says that anyone can attain a place in the world to come (Talmud Sanhedrin 58B). A non-Jew can attain these spiritual goals by fulfilling the Seven Laws of Noah (which include, among others, belief in G-d, respect for G-d, respect for family and respect for animals).
The last part of this question is important. You ask if maybe using the term “chosen people” has exacerbated the troubles that Jews have faced. Unfortunately, it’s too big a topic to fully touch on here. But I will say that I think that it’s very important that Jews are careful how they use the term “chosen people.” Misuse of the term has led to bad feelings and misinterpretations of Jewish history, within the Jewish community and without. But, to be clear, anti-Semitism comes from a deeper place than that.
The job the Jewish people have today is one that is supposed to be filled by all humans. Our forefathers chose to commit their lives to rediscovering and connecting with G-d in this world and G-d chose us in return.
Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu is the head of the Ohel Ya’akov Community Kollel. He wrote this article with Deena Levenstein, a freelance writer living in Jerusalem; her website is habitza.com.
^TOP
|
