The last few parshiot we have been reading in the Torah tell the story of the Israelites’ saga in Mitzrayim. It starts with Yosef being sold by his brothers, and continues with the story of the famine and Yosef becoming viceroy, and Yaakov and the rest of the family moving to Mitzrayim, where they prospered and multiplied. Then a new pharaoh came along who “forgot” Yosef and all he had done for Mitzrayim, and was determined to crush him and the Jewish people. And they were oppressed and enslaved for 400 years. And finally, we see Hashem sending Moshe to rescue the Israelites and finally persuading Pharaoh to let them go.
The Torah is known as a living document that is relevant for all ages and times. And true to this fact, we can see this same scenario occurring over and over again in Jewish history. Whether it be Amalek, Romans, the Greeks, the Persians with Haman, the Crusades, the Inquisition, the pogroms, and finally in our time, the Holocaust under Hitler, and even to this very day, Jews are still fighting the descendants of Egyptians, Persians, Philistines and their neighbors, for survival. As it was said, in every generation there will be an Amalek. Even though they were always a tiny part of the population, their neighbors always threatened them, and repeatedly tried to destroy them. However, the Jewish people always survived.
What is it that enabled them to do this? I think there are two major characteristics that Jews have almost inborn in their genes.
One pillar that is inherent in the Jewish soul, and has sustained them through the ages, of course, is their belief in Hashem. This overriding faith has always been the basis, not only of their religion but of their society, laws, ethics and way of life. No matter how dire the situation, Jews always believed that their faith in Hashem, and his protection of them, will always prevail. Not only has this tiny band of people survived over the millennia, but their Torah is the foundation of almost half of the world population’s religion, laws and ethics—these are the billions of Christians and Muslims.
The other pillar is their intellect, their ability to survive by their wits and to make the best of any situation that they are found in—and turn it to their advantage. When faced with a worldwide flood, Noach built an ark. When faced with widespread famine, Yosef planned a sustainable food supply. Although never a militaristic people, today in Israel Jews are constantly being attacked and threatened by overwhelming forces, but their superior technological innovations have again enabled them to survive, and even thrive.
And over the years this small band of Jews have been among the world’s greatest scientists, artists, writers, philosophers, doctors, financiers, lawyers, merchants, musicians and theologians. There is one overriding characteristic inherent in these professions, which is a unique Jewish trait: portability. These occupations are all intellectual pursuits.
Jews over the millennia are conditioned to expect that no matter how embedded they are in a society, there comes a time when some tyrant decides they must be expelled or destroyed, and they are forced to move on. Hence, Jews always tried to be prepared with a packed suitcase under one arm, a sefer under the other, and preferably a pocketful of cash or diamonds. Jews were never much for owning large tracts of land, steel mills, oil fields, giant factories, mines or amusement parks. These are fixed assets that cannot be taken with them if they have to leave suddenly. It’s interesting that in the vacation industry, the world’s largest cruise line, Carnival, was founded by a Jew. Ships, as opposed to, say, Disneyworld (a fixed asset) can at a moment’s notice be sailed to a different port.
In sum, the expression, “a yiddishe kop” is much more than a cute slogan. It is the product of thousands of years of history, religion and experience.
Max Wisotsky
Highland Park
