By Yossi Kahana
Last week, we talked about how Moses dedicated the last days of his life to ensuring the future of his beloved nation. Moses’ message is that we need to ensure that the next generation remains connected to their heritage and understands the depth and richness that Judaism has to offer.
In this week's Torah portion, Va’etchanan, Moshe continues telling the Jewish people about what happened during the years of his leadership. He tells them about how he asked G-d to let him go into the land of Israel, and about how G-d refused—but let him see Israel from a mountain. He then reminds the people of two major events in our history: the Exodus from Egypt and the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Near the end of Va’etchanan, is a statement with such far-reaching implications that it challenges the impression that has prevailed thus far in the Torah, giving an entirely new complexion to the biblical image of the people of Israel: “The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you are the fewest of all peoples.” This is not what we have heard thus far. In Genesis, G-d promises the patriarchs that their descendants will be like the stars of the heaven, the sands of the seashores, and the dust of the earth, uncountable. Abraham will be the father not just of one nation, but of many.
Targum Yonatan interprets it to be not about numbers at all, but about self-image. He translates it not as “the fewest of peoples” but as “the most lowly and humble of peoples.”
You do not need numbers to enlarge the spiritual and moral horizons of humankind. You need other things: a sense of the worth and dignity of the individual, of the power of human possibility to transform the world, of the importance of giving everyone the best education possible, of making each of us feel part of a collective responsibility to better the human condition, and a willingness to take high ideals and enact them in the real world, undaunted by disappointments and defeats. Nowhere is this more evident today than among the people of Israel in Israel: criticized in the media and denounced by much of the world, yet still, year after year, they produce human miracles in medicine, agriculture, technology and the arts—it’s as if the word “impossible” did not exist in Jewish vocabulary. When, therefore, we feel fearful and depressed about Israel’s plight, it is worth returning to Moses’ words: “The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you are the fewest of all peoples.” Small? Yes. Still surrounded, as the Israelites were then, by “nations larger and stronger than you.” But, that small people, defying the laws of history, outlived all the world’s great empires, and still has a message of hope for humanity. You don’t have to be large to be great. If you are open to a power greater than yourself, you will become greater than yourself. Israel today still carries that message to the world.
JNF’s commitment and mission epitomizes the idea that the word “impossible” does not exist and that it is our collective responsibility to ensure the peace and sustainability of Israel. Over the course of JNF’s existence the odds may have been stacked against us, but we have persevered and proved that hard work pays off. We hold the power to transform the world. JNF has laid the ground work to ensure that our nation and people survive, now it is our responsibility to continue to be Israel’s light onto the world. Reflect on the past accomplishments and continue to move forward to pursue your highest aspirations because they are POSSIBLE. As David Ben Gurion said, “If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Yossi
