OPEN TO ALL
The population of the world can be divided into religious groups and into ethnic groups. The religious groups would include all the religions of the world. The ethnic groups would include all the nations of the world. Where do the members of the Jewish people get categorized, under the religious groups or under the ethnic groups?
If we are a religion it would seem imperative that one cannot be considered a member of the Jewish people unless they ascribe the cause of the world to HaShem. If they deny the existence of a creator they would not be a Jew. We know, however, that in every period of history the world recognizes a Jewish atheist as a Jew. We, as well, consider a Jewish atheist a member of the Jewish people and their children do not require any conversion to be accepted into our people. Hence, we cannot be defined as a religion, at least exclusively.
If the Jew is an ethnicity, namely it follows the rules of ethnic identification such as blood line irrespective of religion or belief then how can one become a Jew if they were not born to a Jew. An Italian and an African who undergo proper geirus can both become full fledged Jews and can even participate in the trans-mission of the Torah along with the greatest rabbis. Evidently, if members of oth-er ethnic groups can become Jewish we cannot be defined as an ethnicity exclu-sively. There must be something else that defines us. We also must concede that we are not to be defined by both religion and ethnicity because that would not resolve these problems.
So, who are we, or perhaps what are we?
The answer lies in this week’s Parsha, Yisro. HaShem tells Moshe to convey to his people “If you will accept My Au-thority and keep My covenant then you shall be My cher-ished nation from all the other nations, because the world is Mine.” HaShem is clearly identifying us as a nation among other nations. We will be His nation from all the other na-tions, implying that we fall into the category of nations, which are ethnic groups. However, this unique nationhood is not identified by our geographic location. HaShem did not make the criteria of our being His cherished nation as being born of people in Egypt or Israel. The criteria by which Ha-Shem identifies His nation, is by accepting His Authority and keeping His covenant.
Hence, we are most certainly an ethnic group. If a person is born of Jewish parents they are Jewish irrespective of their belief. However, this incredible nation has nothing to do with our geographic origin. It has only to do with our entering into HaShem’s covenant. The reason I cannot become an Italian is because the criteria of being an Italian is that my parents come from Italian stock. If I cannot change my lineage then I cannot change my ethnicity. However, since the criteria of being a Jew is dependent exclusively upon entering into HaShem’s covenant, then even if I am Italian I can also enter that covenant and become a member of the Jewish people.
In His design of the world, HaShem gave the Jewish people the unique role of being considered His children with the responsibilities that come with being the prince. We have our unique relationship with Him that no other nation has. He cares for us much more than He does with other nations and pays more attention to us that He does to others.
How wonderfully beautiful it is that HaShem created a mechanism by which the availability to become a member of His cherished people is open to all. Nobody was excluded from joining our unique people; everybody is welcomed.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind