Proactive Versus Reactive
The Jewish community rallying in a show of solidarity in front of the vandalized shops
When news spread of the disturbing acts of anti-Semitic vandalism that took place at Jewish-owned shops in the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center in Westchester on January 25, 2024, the Jewish community was rightfully shaken, disturbed, and indignant in the face of these shocking events.
Over the past few months, we've witnessed the unfortunate rise of anti-Semitism in Israel and around the globe including college campuses and social media. However, when it strikes close to home, its impact is felt more profoundly.
In a beautiful display of resilience, our community swiftly mobilized, with hundreds showing up in support and thousands expressing solidarity, pledging to counteract the hate with more positivity.
Adam Deutsch, one of the store owners of vandalized shop, courageously shared, “We're not going anywhere. We stand with Israel and we're proud. We're proud to be Jewish.”
As we navigate the challenges we currently face, responses may vary. Some may choose to despair or ignore the reality and continue on with their lives. Others might engage with their Judaism cautiously while being fearful and maintaining a low profile. A third approach involves actively fighting back through self-defense, protests, or social media activism. And a fourth approach is to just rely on G-d through prayer.
These responses extend beyond anti-Semitism and are relevant to various aspects of life, including careers and family relationships. The question arises: What is the correct approach?
In this week's Torah portion, Beshalach, we learn about the beginning of the Jewish people's journey in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. Faced with the sea in front of them and the Egyptians chasing from behind, they formed four groups with differing opinions on how to respond.
As the Midrash states: “As they stood at the shore of the sea, the people of Israel split into four factions. One said: 'Let us cast ourselves into the sea.' A second said, 'Let us return to Egypt.' A third said, 'Let us wage war against the Egyptians.' A fourth said, 'Let us cry out to G‑d'.”
When Moses turned to G-d to inquire which of the four options were to be followed, G-d replied that neither one of them was the correct approach at that time. Rather, they should proceed and carry out the mission they were given and continue traveling towards Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. As the verse states: “The Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the children of Israel and let them travel (Exodus 14:15)”.
According to the Midrash, the sea had not yet split when G-d told the Jews to enter it. The people hesitated, until the prince of the tribe of Judah, Nachshon ben Aminadav, jumped in. Only then did G-d tell Moses to raise his hand and split the sea. Nachshon knew that G-d had instructed the people to travel to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. He was therefore singularly unimpressed with the obstacles that stood in the way. The fact that a sea stood between the people and their final goal did not faze him. If he had to jump into the sea and keep going until he would reach Mount Sinai, so be it.
This episode serves as a powerful lesson for us both as a community and as individuals.
In facing today's challenges, we must avoid the mistaken attitudes of the four groups mentioned earlier and instead follow Nachshon's lead. While all four groups were reacting to the challenge they faced, we must learn to be proactive in our mission.
Our divine mission is to positively transform the world, and we must not align ourselves with:
Jumping into the sea: Giving up by assimilating or forfeiting our Divine mission
Going back to slavery in Egypt: Observing Judaism in fear and viewing it as a burden.
Waging war: Wasting our energy and resources on debating or arguing with those who oppose us.
Crying to G-d: Merely lifting up hands and depending solely on G-d to do the work for us.
While of course we must defend ourselves and trust in G-d, we must not allow that to distract us from our mission to transform the world by Illuminating it and bringing it closer to the era of Redemption through studying Torah and performing Mitzvot.
Our role is to reveal the beauty of the world, making it a home for G-d. By remaining focused on our goals, we will experience our own "splitting of the sea" and reveal the hidden potential within ourselves and the world around us.
Let us learn from Nachshon not to be fazed by surrounding obstacles and to lead by example, bringing ultimate redemption to the world. As Maimonides taught: “A person should always look at himself as equally balanced between merit and sin and the world as equally balanced between merit and sin….if he performs one mitzvah, he tips his balance and that of the entire world to the side of merit and brings deliverance and salvation to himself and others”.
Together, let us continue our journey with resilience, unity, and a commitment to counter the hate by doing another Mitzvah and bringing Redemption to the world!
