What is the greater test of faith: wealth or poverty? Is it harder to be a good Jew when you are rich or poor, when you are prosperous or in need? Without a doubt, we would all prefer the test of wealth, wouldn’t we? But let’s not be subjective. Let’s take an objective historical approach.
In the 19th century, when Napoleon conquered Europe, he promised everyone freedom and equal rights. When he entered Russian territory, many Jewish leaders sided with him in the hope that he would finally put an end to the tsarist persecution and allow Russian Jews to receive full civil rights. Rabbi Shnuer-Zalman of Lyad, the founder of Chabad, took a different view. He actively opposed Napoleon and even encouraged his Hasidim to help the Russian army with the collection of intelligence information.
When other rabbis criticized his lack of interest in the well-being of the Jewish people, he replied that perhaps the Jews would be better off materially under Napoleon, but his victory would inevitably lead to spiritual catastrophe. History has shown that he was right. Without the “little emperor,” Russian Jews remained Jews, while French Jewry virtually disappeared. Are there many Rothschild Jews left in the world? Most French Jews today are from North Africa. True French Jews are extremely few in number today.
There is an interesting Midrash about the meeting of Jacob and Esau, described in the chapter of the Torah “Vaiishlah”. It says: “And Esau ran to meet him (Jacob), and embraced him <…> and kissed him.” In Hebrew, the phrase “and kissed him” is contained in one word vaishakeiu. There is an ellipsis above this word in the Torah. The collection of midrashim Yalkut Shimoni says that this ellipsis indicates the need for a different reading of the word: not “and kissed him”, but “and bit him”!
How can one explain this Midrash, which completely reverses the meaning of the word? A kiss is an expression of love, while a bite is an expression of the exact opposite! In the book “Sfat Emet”, written by Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter (1847-1905), the second Rebbe from Germany, it is said: “Esav’s kiss is a bite for Jacob!”
The American experience confirms without a doubt that freedom, democracy and equal rights, while amazing blessings for Jews to be thankful for, also represent a great test of our Jewish identity and way of life. In the “melting pot” that is America, the Jews are so well integrated into society that they literally melted into it! Success and wealth are wonderful gifts and opportunities, but we don’t seem to be doing very well with this test of faith.
French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre argued that anti-Semitism is good for Jews. It helps Jews to remain Jews! While no one wants to suffer harassment and we vehemently oppose anti-Semitism, it must be admitted that Sartre is right about something. When anti-Semitism bites, we intuitively know how to respond. But when the world is ready to kiss us, we do not quite understand how to go about it. The external threat contributes to the rallying of the Jews and the awakening of their national self-consciousness.
May God grant that we never again face the trials of persecution and poverty. And may we be worthy and knowledgeable Jews who successfully cope with the trials of the good life.
Rabbi Yossi Goldman.
Source: Поцелуй или укус – Учение Торы (ejc.ee)
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