Which is the greater test of faith, affluence or poverty? Is it harder to be a good Jew when you’re successful or when you’re struggling? Surely, we prefer the test of affluence, but let’s take an objective historical look.
In the early 19th century, Napoleon was conquering Europe and promising liberty and equality for all. When he squared up against Russia, many Jewish leaders sided with him, hoping he would finally bring an end to Czarist persecution and enable Russian Jewry to enjoy full civil rights. Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi thought differently. He actively opposed Napoleon, and even had his Chassidim assist in intelligence gathering for the Russian army.
He argued that while Napoleon might be good for the Jews materially, his victory would result in spiritual disaster. And history proved him correct. Minus the “Little Emperor”, Russian Jews remained staunchly Jewish, while French Jewry virtually vanished. Most of French Jewry today hails from North Africa. The originals are few and far between.
There’s a fascinating Midrashic interpretation in our parshah about the dramatic encounter between Jacob and Esau. “And Esau ran towards him [Jacob] and embraced him … and he kissed him.” The Hebrew word for “and he kissed him” is vayishakayhu. In the Torah, this word is written with a line of dots above it. Says the Midrash, these dots are there to indicate that the word should be understood differently; not vayishakayhu, he kissed him, but rather vayishachayhu, he bit him!
But how can the Midrash change the meaning of the word? A kiss is an expression of love, and a bite is the opposite? Says the Sfat Emet, “When Esau kisses, Jacob is bitten!”
The American experience confirms beyond a shadow of a doubt that freedom, democracy, and equal rights, while a wonderful blessing for Jews, also presents a profound challenge to our Jewish identity. In the melting pot of the United States, Jews have integrated so successfully that they are virtually disappearing. Success and affluence are wonderful gifts of opportunity, but with every other American Jew marrying out we don’t seem to be passing the test of faith with flying colours.
So, it appears that when antisemitism bites, we intuitively know how to respond. But when the world is in a kissing mood, we don’t quite know how to handle it.
I remember as a young rabbi working at the University of the Witwatersrand in the late 1970s, that the Jewish students were then completely apathetic to Judaism. My colleagues and I were struggling to elicit any meaningful response to our Jewish programmes on campus. During one meeting, we seriously contemplated getting up in the dead of night to spray-paint some swastikas on the Student Union building! Surely, that would get some reaction. Of course, we never did it. But the fact that it even crossed our minds demonstrates how external threats have a way of making Jews bristle with pride and righteous indignation.
May we never again face the test of poverty or persecution. Please G‑d, we’ll be proud and knowledgeable Jews, successfully meeting the spiritual challenge of the good life.
