(based on a derasha from
HaGaon Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita,
Ravad of Yerushalayim
Leil Shabbos)
What is a Jew?
"The Almighty said to me (Yaakov Avinu)…I will make you a congregation of nations" (Bereshis 48, 4). The phrasing of this pasuk is unusual and does not appear in other places in Tanach. What is "a congregation of nations" and what is the message of this unique expression?
We can gain insight into this question from an incident recounted by Rav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, the author of the Seridei Aish. The rav participated in a meeting of German intellectuals in Berlin, who met to discuss the true nature of the identity of the Jews. They wanted to know what a Jew is, and how his status differed from the other nations of the world.
Some of the intellectuals argued that Judaism is simply a religion like any other. They were countered by the argument that many identifying Jews do not practice the religion. Others claimed that the Jewish people were a nation with a common ethnic heritage and history, but this was disputed on the grounds that converts can join the Jewish people in every sense.
One elderly Jew from Poland who was attending the gathering listened to all the opinions will a growing sense of frustration. He felt that the entire meeting was an exercise in futility. After much self-important speechifying, the participants were no closer to reaching a conclusion. Finally, after he could no longer himself, and he yelled out "A Yid is a Yid!" and walked out of the room.
Rav Weinberg heard what this Polish Jew said, and told everyone in the meeting that this elderly Jew had spoken the truth. The Jewish people are unlike any other human group and it is impossible to squeeze them into the standard categorization. The best that could be said is that "a Jew is a Jew."
The Torah hints to the difficulty in classifying us though the concept of "a congregation of nations." The Jewish people cannot be limited to a single definition; rather we are a multifaceted entity made up of the descendants of the Shevatim, and converts who have joined the Jewish people from all of the nations of the world.
A Blessing for Generations
As a "congregation of nations" the Jewish people receive special beracha from the Almighty. We are empowered with the ability to give this over to our children, and the Torah writes that the proper way to convey this blessing is through the words: "May the Almighty bless you like Ephraim and Menashe" (Bereshis 48,20). What can we learn from this blessing about our status as a congregation of nations?
The Torah emphasizes the point that although Ephraim was younger than Menashe, Yaakov mentioned him first in the beracha. Yosef tried to correct what he thought was an oversight on his father's part, but Yaakov remained firm in his stated order. In recording this incident, the Torah was conveying an essential message to the Jewish people.
Menashe, as Yosef"s firstborn son, helped his father carry out his political duties. He served as the interpreter between Yosef and the Shevatim, and aided his father in other matters of state. Ephraim, on the other hand, was completely immersed in Torah learning, and was in the tent of Torah at all times.
By mentioning Ephraim before Menashe in the blessing for all generations, Yaakov meant to relay the following message: Torah is the single unifying factor that characterizes the Jewish people as a "congregation of nations." While both Ephraim and Menashe played important leadership roles for Klal Yisrael, a Jew's first priority must be to have a son like Ephraim, who is completely immersed in Torah.
But we might still struggle to understand why the Almighty chose Yosef's children for as the model for the eternal blessing, and not the Avos. Perhaps it was because Yosef's children grew up surrounded by the degenerate atmosphere of Egyptian society, yet they were able to retain their righteousness despite the moral corruption around them. In order to survive the many challenges that we have faced throughout our history, living side-by-side with and ruled by non-Jews who ways are light years from the sanctity of Torah, the "congregation of nations" is blessed to follow in the faithful footsteps of Menashe and Ephraim.
Partnerships
After Yaakov expressed his message that the Jewish people should give the role of Ephraim first priority, he hinted at how this would be possible for future generations. Yisachar and Zevulun formed a partnership in the congregation of nations to enable Yaakov's blessing to bear fruit. Yisachar toils in Torah all day long, while Zevulun provides the financial backing that allows them to continue their holy endeavors.
Moshe Rabeinu describes this partnership as follows: "Zevulun is happy when they go out, and Yisachar [is happy] in their tents" (Devarim). What is the deeper meaning of this pasuk and what does it tell us about their partnership?
Zevulun, or anyone who follows in his ways, may find himself completely consumed by his business. This will leave him with little time to study Torah. But won’t his lack of Torah knowledge will impair his enjoyment of in the next world?
Yet Moshe Rabbeinu reveals to us that "Zevulun will be happy when they go out [of this world]." When Zevulun gets to the next world, he will find that he knows much of the Torah that his partner Yisachar studied. This will cause him great joy in the world to come.
Moshe describes Yisachar as being happy in his tent. If a person decides to be a Yisachar and to dedicate his life to learning Torah, he should try to live simply. Although he will forgo some of the physical pleasures of this world, he too will be happy when he sees the great reward prepared for those who toil in Torah in the world to come.
Forgive and Forget
Another attribute that characterizes the "congregation of nations" is our ability to forgive other members of this special group. Yosef Hatzadik is a prime example of this trait. Even though his brothers sold him into slavery, he fully pardoned his brothers when they asked him for forgiveness.
Yosef's greatness went beyond the ability to give forgive and forget. After Yaakov Avinu died, Yosef realized that his brothers were nervous that he would take revenge on them, so he assured them that he had no such intentions. The brothers, he argued, had actually aided the Almighty in his plan to send Yosef to Egypt to provide sustenance for the world.
The Maharshal in Bava Kama notes another important aspect to the mitzvah of forgiveness. When one pardons his friend, he should daven to the Almighty that he should fully forgive the person who hurt or harmed him. Sincere prayer coming from the person who was hurt has the ability to secure complete Divine forgiveness for the person who transgressed.
Connected to the Past
Part of our status as a "congregation of nations" is that the Torah defines us as separate from other cultures. Forgetting this crucial fact and trying imitate the people around us, weakens our own national identity. The Almighty then brings on the persecution of other nations, reminding us that we are always distinct.
Sefer Bereishis concludes with the passing of Yaakov Avinu. Without Yaakov's influence, the Jewish people began to slip in their observance. They left the safe haven of Goshen to explore Egyptian society and culture.
Aside for their greatness in Torah, Gedolim connect us to our past. They represent an unbroken chain of Torah learning stretching all the way back to Har Sinai and the Avos. If we hold fast to their teachings and message, then we will be protected from the dangerous political and social tides that periodically sweep the world and threaten to drag us away from Torah observance.
