A deep-thinking friend recently asked me the following:
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In effect, I think that most people have the following associations:
Jew:
I think it all boils down to the definition of 'chosen.' We are told by G-d, many times, that we are His chosen Nation. What does that mean? Does it mean that I'm chosen, and you're not? That G-d loves me more than you? Or him, or her?
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach explains that 'chosen' doesn't mean chosen over everybody else. It means chosen for uniqueness, individuality, and special worth, for a specific purpose or task. Everyone is chosen; I have been chosen to live my life, and you have been chosen to live yours. And Peter, who lives down the road, has been chosen to be Peter. The Jewish Nation has been chosen to fulfil the role of Jewish Nation, and each nation has been chosen to fulfil its own unique role in the world, too. But even so, why are the Jews different? Why are they called 'mamlechet kohanim vegoy kadosh', 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation'?
Within the Jewish nation, we have 3 types of Jew: Kohein, Levi, Yisrael. Kohanim and Leviyim come from the tribe of Levi; Yisre'elim come from the other 12 tribes. Let's translate our problem into the confines of the Jewish nation: why is he a Kohein, and I'm not? Why does he get to serve in the Temple, and I can't? Why does he get all the honour and respect of being a Kohein, whereas I can never get the same?
Because we serve different roles. And the Kohein, the priest, has an elevated status because he is the teacher, the living example of a real-life Jewish lifestlye, lived out in reality. This is the fundamental role of a Kohein. The Kohanim and Leviyim have no portion in the Land of Israel, like the other tribes; rather, they are given cities, scattered around Israel, where their prime role is to teach Torah and to demonstrate how one can live a holy life. To a humble farmer, who arrives at the Temple to bring his sin-offering, the sight of the Kohein, dressed all in white, exuding an aura of purity, holiness and devotion, is an awe-inspiring sight. And when the Kohein helps the farmer to say his confessional prayer before the sacrifice, the experience must be profound.
We, the Jews, are the Kohanim of the world. Our Divine role is to demonstrate to the world what a holy nation is, on personal, communal, and national planes. We, as descendents of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya'akov, have been chosen by G-d to show the world how it's done. He picked our forefathers in their time, recognizing that the world needed role models, and seeing that they weren't getting it right without them.
What does it mean to be a Kohein? Firstly, you have to get out there and be with the people. If you don't connect with the rest of the people in some way, you are not fulfilling your role. Let's translate that to the Jew-non-Jew level. For some Jews, this is done on a personal level, simply be living as a decent, honest, upright human being. The righteous Jew is a shining example of morality and G-dliness, and shows those he interacts with, by his example, that it can be done. For others, their influence is more communal/national, and their contributions to structures and processes within Jewish society can be seen in the finished products. These processes and systems also shine as examples to the world of how to build, communally and nationally, in a G-dly, moral manner.
The second important aspect of being a Kohein is to be holy. If you're not living according to the rules and guidelines, you are also not fulfilling your role. A Kohein has a more restricted choice of wife; he cannot eat his special food (tithes of the crops of the Yisre'elim) in a state of impurity; and he cannot become impure by touching a corpse, except for those of immediate family. The Kohein has more rules and guidelines than the regular Yisrael does, because his role is different, and, perhaps, in order to shine as an example of morality, higher standards are required of him. The Jew's lifestyle is entirely filled with the ways of the Torah. His holy example is defined and parametized by all the laws and ways of being a Jew. If he isn't living as a Jew, he loses touch with his role.
A very interesting concept is that even Jews who are not living as Torah Jews very often manage to shine in a given field: science, art, music, film, finance... seems we can't get away from being great examples and leaders!
How does a Kohein maintain his identity? How does he draw the line between Kohein and Yisrael? I think the answer is (deceivingly) simple: he needs to live as a true Kohein. If he keeps his mitzvot, and understands the depth of his role in the world, and is deeply connected to his essence and and understanding of himself, he will know what to do, how to live, and where to draw the boundaries. He also needs to know that, as much as he loves his brother the Yisrael, he cannot bring him into the inner sanctuary of the Temple, cannot share his holy food with him, and cannot treat him as an equal in other laws of Kohanim. Similarly, I believe that a Jew who is deeply connected to himself and his Jewish identity will generally know where to draw the line between Jew and non-Jew. (Often easier said than done) He will also understand that, as much as he may love his brother, the non-Jew, he cannot always deal with him as a Jew; he must keep a distance in certain aspects, because in essence the Jew and the non-Jew play different roles, which do not always overlap.
The Kohein must also understand that he needs to focus on himself and his role, as well as on looking after his fellow Jews, the Yisre'elim. He needs to find a balance between these areas, because each of them is important. He also understands that, when it comes to the crunch, in areas that are very close to the heart, he cannot overlook his heritage and destiny, and he must look after himself and his role. Similarly, the Jew needs to find a balance between shining his light of positive influence of morality to the rest of the world, and ensuring that that light stays fueled and lit. When it comes to the crunch, he needs to look after himself, and to look close to home. (Our prayers throughout the year, while almost totally in the plural, speak almost exclusively about the Jews. We have to be looked after before we can look after the needs of others. However, at certain times of the year, like Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, we pray for the welfare of the entire world in our communal prayers. (This is something I still have trouble with)) This, again, is an issue of balance, which I believe comes down to personal judgement. Again, easier said than done.
I think the most important perspective to gain is that Kohein and Yisrael are meant to co-exist. They aren't competing or trying to outdo each other. Ideally, they understand deeply that they have differing roles, which have been given them with reason and purpose. The Yisrael understands that the Kohein is not better than him, nor is he better than the Kohein. They are apples and oranges, meant to be part of the same fruit basket. They complement each other. This is the same way that, ideally, the Jew and non-Jew are supposed to relate to each other. We are each chosen for different tasks and roles, but ideally we should all be directed towards a unified goal and purpose.
This unity and harmony (not monotony or monophony) has not yet come to its fulfilment, unfortunately. The world hasn't got there yet. I do believe that we are well on our way towards the perfection of the world, but it can only come to its fullness with the coming of Mashiach. May it be very soon!
The bottom line is that this is something that needs deep self-awareness, and a deep connection to one's roots and purpose in life. It's something that we hopefully grapple with and work with as we grow. But I hope I've shown that Judaism sees humanity as one, and the 'difference' between Jew and non-Jew is merely a difference of roles. The ultimate goal of humanity and the world is, as we say in the 'Aleinu' prayer, "והיה ה' למלך על כל הארץ, ביום ההוא יהיה ה' אחד ושמו אחד" - '[then] G-d will become the King of the entire world; on that day, G-d will be one, and His name one.'
Elie Wiesel said: "I am not willing to give up being a Jew in order to achieve universality, however, I believe that the Jew in me embraces something universal."Here are some thoughts from my reply:
What do you make of this, and how do you see your process of maintaining an identity, while at the same time realizing that we are all human and all unified? I'm having a hard time finding the balance.
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In effect, I think that most people have the following associations:
Jew:
- Special
- Chosen
- Different
- Separate
- Maintaining an identity by limiting contact with the rest of humanity
- Same
- Equality
- Together
- United
- Religion does not affect one's humanity
I think it all boils down to the definition of 'chosen.' We are told by G-d, many times, that we are His chosen Nation. What does that mean? Does it mean that I'm chosen, and you're not? That G-d loves me more than you? Or him, or her?
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach explains that 'chosen' doesn't mean chosen over everybody else. It means chosen for uniqueness, individuality, and special worth, for a specific purpose or task. Everyone is chosen; I have been chosen to live my life, and you have been chosen to live yours. And Peter, who lives down the road, has been chosen to be Peter. The Jewish Nation has been chosen to fulfil the role of Jewish Nation, and each nation has been chosen to fulfil its own unique role in the world, too. But even so, why are the Jews different? Why are they called 'mamlechet kohanim vegoy kadosh', 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation'?
Within the Jewish nation, we have 3 types of Jew: Kohein, Levi, Yisrael. Kohanim and Leviyim come from the tribe of Levi; Yisre'elim come from the other 12 tribes. Let's translate our problem into the confines of the Jewish nation: why is he a Kohein, and I'm not? Why does he get to serve in the Temple, and I can't? Why does he get all the honour and respect of being a Kohein, whereas I can never get the same?
Because we serve different roles. And the Kohein, the priest, has an elevated status because he is the teacher, the living example of a real-life Jewish lifestlye, lived out in reality. This is the fundamental role of a Kohein. The Kohanim and Leviyim have no portion in the Land of Israel, like the other tribes; rather, they are given cities, scattered around Israel, where their prime role is to teach Torah and to demonstrate how one can live a holy life. To a humble farmer, who arrives at the Temple to bring his sin-offering, the sight of the Kohein, dressed all in white, exuding an aura of purity, holiness and devotion, is an awe-inspiring sight. And when the Kohein helps the farmer to say his confessional prayer before the sacrifice, the experience must be profound.
We, the Jews, are the Kohanim of the world. Our Divine role is to demonstrate to the world what a holy nation is, on personal, communal, and national planes. We, as descendents of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya'akov, have been chosen by G-d to show the world how it's done. He picked our forefathers in their time, recognizing that the world needed role models, and seeing that they weren't getting it right without them.
What does it mean to be a Kohein? Firstly, you have to get out there and be with the people. If you don't connect with the rest of the people in some way, you are not fulfilling your role. Let's translate that to the Jew-non-Jew level. For some Jews, this is done on a personal level, simply be living as a decent, honest, upright human being. The righteous Jew is a shining example of morality and G-dliness, and shows those he interacts with, by his example, that it can be done. For others, their influence is more communal/national, and their contributions to structures and processes within Jewish society can be seen in the finished products. These processes and systems also shine as examples to the world of how to build, communally and nationally, in a G-dly, moral manner.
The second important aspect of being a Kohein is to be holy. If you're not living according to the rules and guidelines, you are also not fulfilling your role. A Kohein has a more restricted choice of wife; he cannot eat his special food (tithes of the crops of the Yisre'elim) in a state of impurity; and he cannot become impure by touching a corpse, except for those of immediate family. The Kohein has more rules and guidelines than the regular Yisrael does, because his role is different, and, perhaps, in order to shine as an example of morality, higher standards are required of him. The Jew's lifestyle is entirely filled with the ways of the Torah. His holy example is defined and parametized by all the laws and ways of being a Jew. If he isn't living as a Jew, he loses touch with his role.
A very interesting concept is that even Jews who are not living as Torah Jews very often manage to shine in a given field: science, art, music, film, finance... seems we can't get away from being great examples and leaders!
How does a Kohein maintain his identity? How does he draw the line between Kohein and Yisrael? I think the answer is (deceivingly) simple: he needs to live as a true Kohein. If he keeps his mitzvot, and understands the depth of his role in the world, and is deeply connected to his essence and and understanding of himself, he will know what to do, how to live, and where to draw the boundaries. He also needs to know that, as much as he loves his brother the Yisrael, he cannot bring him into the inner sanctuary of the Temple, cannot share his holy food with him, and cannot treat him as an equal in other laws of Kohanim. Similarly, I believe that a Jew who is deeply connected to himself and his Jewish identity will generally know where to draw the line between Jew and non-Jew. (Often easier said than done) He will also understand that, as much as he may love his brother, the non-Jew, he cannot always deal with him as a Jew; he must keep a distance in certain aspects, because in essence the Jew and the non-Jew play different roles, which do not always overlap.
The Kohein must also understand that he needs to focus on himself and his role, as well as on looking after his fellow Jews, the Yisre'elim. He needs to find a balance between these areas, because each of them is important. He also understands that, when it comes to the crunch, in areas that are very close to the heart, he cannot overlook his heritage and destiny, and he must look after himself and his role. Similarly, the Jew needs to find a balance between shining his light of positive influence of morality to the rest of the world, and ensuring that that light stays fueled and lit. When it comes to the crunch, he needs to look after himself, and to look close to home. (Our prayers throughout the year, while almost totally in the plural, speak almost exclusively about the Jews. We have to be looked after before we can look after the needs of others. However, at certain times of the year, like Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, we pray for the welfare of the entire world in our communal prayers. (This is something I still have trouble with)) This, again, is an issue of balance, which I believe comes down to personal judgement. Again, easier said than done.
I think the most important perspective to gain is that Kohein and Yisrael are meant to co-exist. They aren't competing or trying to outdo each other. Ideally, they understand deeply that they have differing roles, which have been given them with reason and purpose. The Yisrael understands that the Kohein is not better than him, nor is he better than the Kohein. They are apples and oranges, meant to be part of the same fruit basket. They complement each other. This is the same way that, ideally, the Jew and non-Jew are supposed to relate to each other. We are each chosen for different tasks and roles, but ideally we should all be directed towards a unified goal and purpose.
This unity and harmony (not monotony or monophony) has not yet come to its fulfilment, unfortunately. The world hasn't got there yet. I do believe that we are well on our way towards the perfection of the world, but it can only come to its fullness with the coming of Mashiach. May it be very soon!
The bottom line is that this is something that needs deep self-awareness, and a deep connection to one's roots and purpose in life. It's something that we hopefully grapple with and work with as we grow. But I hope I've shown that Judaism sees humanity as one, and the 'difference' between Jew and non-Jew is merely a difference of roles. The ultimate goal of humanity and the world is, as we say in the 'Aleinu' prayer, "והיה ה' למלך על כל הארץ, ביום ההוא יהיה ה' אחד ושמו אחד" - '[then] G-d will become the King of the entire world; on that day, G-d will be one, and His name one.'
