Anti-Semitism. Unfortunately we all know what it is and yet seem surprised every time it rears its ugly head. The past few weeks there has been increased chatter about anti-Semitism due to an uptick of anti-Semitic incidents, allegedly in connection with the recent events in Israel.
Don’t allow the noise to convince you that anti-Semitism is rational or that its recent increase is a reaction to something specific. Ever since Abraham started doing his thing about 4,000 years ago, the hatred to his message and family has been an ever present cancer in society.
We are fortunate to live in a time and place where the overwhelming majority of civilized people reject and condemn anti-Semitism - for which I am grateful. But the problem still persists and the question is how do we respond as Jews.
In January 2020 Menachem Wecker, an author at Religion News Service, was working on an article entitled “Amid rising anti-Semitism, Orthodox Jews weigh safety with being conspicuously Jewish” and wanted to hear from someone who really stands out as a minority: How does it feel to be one of two conspicuously dressed Chassdic Jews living in a city of 800,000?
I was happy to share that I always feel safe here in town and my conspicuous Jewish garb earns me nothing but respect. In fact, the occasional curiosity about my clothing affords me the opportunity to share a message that will resonate and inspire.
In this week’s parsha Beha’alolsecha we learn about the daily kindling of the Menorah in the Holy Temple. When the Tabernacle was inaugurated in the desert, Aharon the High Priest was upset that he was excluded from the inauguration of the altar, done by the other leaders of the twelve tribes. G-d promised Aharon that the flames of the Menorah, that only his tribe would kindle, would remain a symbol of Jewish identity and continuity for all time.
Today the Menorah remains a ubiquitous symbol of Judaism and the flame is an icon of the Jewish soul.
The job of a flame is to illuminate, to inspire and bring warmth. A flame needs to be in the open to fulfill its role and is no good when it’s hiding. That's why Judaism makes us Jews so easily identifiable, because we have a crucial role to play in the world.
Our visibility makes us a beacon - not a target.
While I am painfully aware that many Jews suffer from anti-Semitism, trying to hide our Jewishness won’t help. It will only make things worse. We must embrace our role in the world and wear our identity proudly for all to see.
The only practical response to the menace of anti-Semitism is to be even more openly Jewish than before, because eventually the light of our personal and collective Menorah will illuminate the entire world with the imminent arrival of Moshiach, when there will be peace and tranquility for all.