B"H
Who is a Jew? - A Twist on Parshat Zachor
Who is a Jew? is a question I’m frequently asked but find it increasingly difficult to answer. It’s a question that no one has the right to answer other than God Himself. To be a Jew is to be part of God’s chosen people; chosen by no one other than He. Who gives man authority to speak in His name or claim to fathom the inner recesses of a person's heart? Why delve into a subject that will offend and cast aspersions on a large number of coreligionists? Even though I'm tempted to answer, I believe the question is fundamentally flawed and stems from systemic elitism. For those outside the faith, the question is often posed as an attempt to denigrate and mock. And even if posed by those within the faith, its purpose is often an excuse to justify separation and alienation of differing sects. An answer should seek to clarify truth and not try to create an alternative truth.
Previously, I've heard an answer that defines a Jew as someone whose grandchildren are Jewish. As important as that catalyst may be for the sustainability of Judaism, it’s far from the truth. Sadly for some and gratefully for others, Donald Trump isn’t Jewish even though some of his grandchildren are. Furthermore, what do we say to the many Jews who don’t have children or grandchildren? Unfortunately some answers are given to promote a self-serving agenda rather than seek the truth.
Over the years I’ve become disillusioned with many rabbinical views. While I respect their sagacity and wisdom, I often find their opinions and ideas inspired more by agenda based politics than Halacha. Unfortunately, many rabbinical rulings during the pandemic did little to alleviate my concerns and in my opinion led to a desecration of God. While a rabbi may determine if it’s permissible to get a vaccine on Shabbat, on all other matters they should rely on professionals for guidance. Rabbis who offer medical advice are overstepping their boundaries and could be guilty of practicing medicine without a license. And for those rabbis who advocated ignoring health guidelines and ultimately put their communities’ lives at risk, my animus towards them is palpable.
This question of Who is a Jew? has been hijacked by the Chief Rabbinate in Israel as a way of solidifying their authority and continues to cause animosity and tensions with world Jewry. If they can arbitrarily and unilaterally rule on these matters, then even those who may agree with their position will ultimately suffer. I think that those who kowtow to the authority of the Chief Rabbis should recuse themselves from any further discussion on this crucial issue. The Talmud states that a judge can only judge based upon what their own eyes perceive. In other words, a judge may not rule on an issue they are seeing through the eyes of others; even if the others are greater and smarter.
Inasmuch as I would rather remain neutral and not get involved, I nevertheless find the need to share my thoughts. I believe the answer to Who is Jew? shouldn’t be subjected to the debate of scholars or speculation by ill informed adherents of particular groups. I think we as Jews have to seek the guidance of God himself; we must look into the writings of Torah to gain insight in His thinking. Only by following the guidelines set forth by Hashem can we hope to gain clarity. We are not necessarily tasked to interpret the Torah, sometimes it’s sufficient to just follow it literally.
I believe God expresses through His Torah exactly how He wants us to respond to the question. A Jew is someone who doesn’t have the audacity to contemplate that such a question needs to be asked. A Jew is someone who is oblivious to any distinction between Jews.
I have always been perplexed by the commandment to remember and never forget the atrocities that Amalek did to our ancestors. The Torah states: “Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey out of Egypt, how they surprised you on the road and cut off all the weak people at your rear …” (Deuteronomy 25:17) Yet, why should we remember an act of yesteryear that has no relevance to us today? Amalek as a nation ceased to exist thousands of years ago and no ancient DNA is on file.
Perhaps the reason we are to remember what happened thousands of years ago has little to do with Amalek. Perhaps the reason we recall the event is to remind us how Amalek was able to wreak havoc on the Jewish people. Our sages weave an interesting tale. They say the people who Amalek attacked in the rear were part of the tribe of Dan who abandoned God and started worshiping idols. The Jewish people considered their actions deplorable and thus abandoned them. They forced them out of the main camp and left them to be alone in the rear without proper defenses.
By remembering what Amalek did we are actually being reminded of our failure. The Israelites erroneously answered the question of who is a Jew by deciding that certain people no longer qualified. By disqualifying others they ultimately disqualified themselves. Every year we read the portion of Amalek to realize that our prolonged suffering by the hands of Amalek was a consequence of the wrong decision our ancestors made. We ought not allow history to repeat itself.
Rashi comments on why the chapter on Amalek is preceded by the chapter: “You shall not have in your house alternate measures, a larger and a smaller….For everyone who does those things, everyone who deals dishonestly, is abhorrent to the Lord your God.” He writes that anyone who is willing to cheat about weights and measurements will ultimately cause Amalek to attack. But what is the connection? Why is cheating on a measurement punishable by an attack by Amalek. I believe Rashi is articulating that the only reason someone cheats another Jew with a wrong measurement is that he considers him an untermentch - a lesser Jew. He doesn’t consider him an equal and thus doesn’t mind manipulating the weights to his advantage. Rashi considers any behavior that deligitamizes another Jew as a precursor to catastrophe.
So if you ever hear anyone posing the question: Who is a Jew?, I wouldn't dignify the question with an answer. I would say that if Hashem is willing to accept all who are willing to accept Him why should we do any less. If Hashem enumerates in His Torah that we are to help all Jews who need our help, why do we second guess His intentions? The older I get the more I think about the afterlife; the more I wonder if I will be deserving of an oceanfront view in my celestial abode. I'm not sure I’ll merit a great view but on one issue I'm pretty confident. If I consider all Jews worthy of being God’s chosen people, then hopefully in return I, too, will be chosen. And somehow I’m not that excited by the alternative.
Rabbi Jack Engel
