Page 3 - The Jewish Voice - December '23

The Jewish Voice, Page 3

From the rabbi

The Reason They Hate Us The Bible is making it crystal clear that anti-Semitism 25:33); Jacob dressed in Esau’s clothes (Genesis 27:15),
is only possible when Jews stray from their identity as stole Esau’s blessings (Genesis 27:35), identified himself
By Rabbi Dovid Vigler Torah Jews. If we’re serious about overcoming anti- as Esau (Genesis 27:19), and even married Leah, who was
Never before have we Semitism and creating a safer world for ourselves and our destined for Esau (Genesis 29:17 Rashi). He was given
seen so much blatant anti- children, it’s time for us to experience some deep inner his very name “Jacob” since he was clutching onto Esau’s
Semitism. From the highest reflection. The Torah is our Divine Shield — an Iron heel (Genesis 27:36).
offices to the classrooms Dome if you will. Are we allowing the haters to hurt us Indeed, Jacob finally realized he hadn’t been true to
and sidewalks, this pathetic by negligently removing our own bullet-proof vests and himself all along. And that’s why the Torah tells us that
support for bloodthirsty exposing ourselves to their “rockets and missiles”? he emerged from this encounter limping” (Genesis 32:26)
murders continues to defy It’s time to stop shooting the messenger. Bringing — he wasn’t stable in his own shoes. With clarity and
reason. And, as usual, it’s the them down won’t stop others like them raising their ugly fortitude, Jacob decides to no longer try to be Esau —
fault of the Jews! heads with ever more brazen animus. As one anti-Semite from this point on he would be Jacob. As long as Jacob
Since time immemorial, is neutralized, another raises his ugly head. This is never wasn’t being Jacob, he was hated by Esau. The moment
we have speculated on the going to stop from the outside until we change something the Jew has the courage to embrace his Jewish identity
reason they hate us. But you don’t have to be a rocket scientist drastically from the inside. fearlessly, the enmity of the anti-Semite melts away and
to realize these explanations are nothing but an excuse: They Anti-Semitism cannot be dismissed simply as an the curse is transformed into a kiss.
said we were hated because we were rich, but we know we irrational hatred. It can only bear fruit when we are The Torah is not just a history book. The story of our
were just as persecuted when we were poor. They claim to spiritually weak. It’s time for us to stop playing defense forefather Jacob is our personal story. Like Jacob, we
abhor us because we were segregated, but they killed us when when it comes to anti-Semitism — instead of allowing the have been persecuted for as long as we can remember.
we were integrated. They despised us for being capitalists, anti-Semites to define our Judaism, it’s time for us Jews And like Jacob, the hatred will end not in the halls of
yet they couldn’t tolerate us when we were communists. to define our own Jewish identity. It’s time for us to love the UN, Washington, or The New York Times but in the
They were hostile to us when we were strangers in their Judaism more than they hate Judaism. It’s time for us to conviction of our hearts and the commitment of our souls
land, but now they are cruel to us when we finally have our believe in our own heritage more than they reject it. to our own faith and heritage.
own homeland. They claimed that they kill us because of We see this truth at play in the dramatic confrontation It’s time to stand up for ourselves and for our Torah.
the settlements in Israel, yet the very same terrorist groups between Esau and Jacob. After thirty-six years of running No game was ever won just by playing defense.
murdered us before a single settlement was ever built in 1967. away from Esau, Jacob is finally preparing to face his We have chosen to spell anti-Semitism with a small
Any attempt to cure anti-Semitism by appeasing those blood-thirsty brother who marches ominously toward him “a” and a capital “S” because we refuse to allow them to
who hate us is truly the definition of insanity — expecting with 400 mercenaries. Yet, when Esau finally confronts define us. From this day forward, we will define ourselves.
different results while doing the same actions we’ve already Jacob, inexplicably he kisses him (Genesis 33:4). What Rabbi Dovid Vigler is spiritual leader at Chabad of
done before. It’s time to think out of the box and set the record suddenly changed? Palm Beach Gardens and host of the Jewish Schmooze
on anti-Semitism straight, once and for all. The night prior to the showdown, the Torah tells us Radio Show. Email him at rabbi@jewishgardens.com.
All we need to do is look into the Torah, where the reason of one of its most enigmatic narratives: that Jacob was
for anti-Semitism is made abundantly clear at the very alone and struggled with a stranger all night long (Genesis
beginning. Nearly 3,700 years ago, the Torah introduces us 32:25). If he was with the stranger, then clearly he wasn’t Your ad could be here!
to the very first anti-Semite — Esau, brother of Jacob. After alone!
Jacob was blessed with the blessings of Isaac their father, Our sages explain that Jacob was indeed alone. The Call
Esau begged Isaac for his own blessing too. Isaac was unable man he was struggling with was himself as he faced his
to do so because “I have already made him a master over own identity crisis. All night long, Jacob was grappling 561-746-3244
you (Genesis 27:37). When Esau persists, Isaac blesses him with his inability to be true to himself as it dawned upon
with a unique loophole: Only when Jacob will transgress the him that he had been trying to imitate Esau since his

Torah, you will be able to persecute him (Genesis 27:40). earliest youth — at birth, he was holding his heel (Genesis to find out how!
Amazing! 25:26); Jacob purchased the birthright from Esau (Genesis

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