Summary: Our portion begins with Moses’ review of the laws given by God to the Israelites in preparation for their entering the Promised land. The people are commanded to call out blessings and curses once they enter the land. Moses then teaches them to destroy pagan places and objects of worship; to follow only true prophets and destroy all individuals and communities that serve other gods. Also reviewed are the laws of kashrut, supporting the poor, and the yearly holiday cycle.
Lesson: Its wonderful to be Jewish. We can be proud of the holidays we celebrate and of the values we live. Judaism adds depth and meaning to our lives and constantly reminds us to make our world a better place.
It’s great to be proud of our Judaism. However do we have a right to be arrogant about it? In our Torah portion this week we read that “God chose us from among all other peoples on earth to be God’s treasured people.” Clearly the idea of the people of Israel as a “chosen people” is central to Jewish faith. Yet what does that mean? By being chosen are we actually better than others?
Moses tells the people that we are consecrated to God who has selected us not because we are powerful or numerous, but because God loves us. Other rabbinic commentators, maybe with a sense of humor, define the relationship as one of mutual desperation! God searched for a people to choose and no one wanted God until the God met the Israelites! Rashi, the greatest of all commentators, compares the Israelites to a fine jewel in the collection of a king. The king may have many jewels and gems, yet he may love one of them in a special way. Rashi teaches that all peoples and nations belong to God. We may be special and precious, but we are not exclusive. No people, including the Israelites, can claim they alone are God’s people.
Modern Jewish thinkers are uncomfortable with the notion of chosenness, afraid it will lead to arrogance among our people and disdain from others. Mordechai Kaplan, a 20th century rabbi, argues that there is not one truth that makes Jews better than others. He writes: “No nation is chosen or elected or superior to any other, but every nation should discover its vocation or calling as a source of religious experience and as a medium of salvation to those who share its life…” Rabbi Leo Baeck, in Germany and then in Israel, adds an entirely new idea to the discussion of chosenness. He sees the concept of chosenness as conditional. If the people obey God’s commandments and are loyal to their covenant with God, they will survive and prosper as a “chosen” people.
Being chosen is not self-serving, making us better than others. Instead it challenges us to be a “light to the nations”. Our people bear the task of beings God’s instrument for bringing truth, justice, righteousness, compassion and peace to all peoples of the earth. For modern Jewish thinkers, we are not so much a “chosen” people but rather a “choosing” people – a people with a special task, a responsibility, a unique and important role to play in the world.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Donald Goor