The Secret to Jewish Survival

Many Jews wonder how it is possible to ensure the Jewish education of their children in predominantly non-Jewish environments. Is it possible to create a proper Jewish infrastructure outside of major Jewish communities? I’d like to share my thoughts on this important issue as it connects to this week’s parsha.

I often meet Israeli Jews living in the States and when asked about their involvement in the local Jewish community the response very often is: We are in America for a short while. As soon as the children start school we will return to Israel and back home religious life is all set up for us. In reality, it often happens that years pass by, they remain in the Diaspora and the children grow up with minimal Jewish exposure and the results are not encouraging.

In this week’s parsha we learn of the routine of the Israelite journey through the desert for forty years. The Tabernacle was erected in the center of the camp and a heavenly cloud hovered above it, representing the presence of G-d. When the divine cloud would lift, this was the sign that it was time to dismantle the Tabernacle, pack up camp and to follow the cloud to the next destination. Every time the cloud stopped, the Tabernacle was fully erected and camp was set up in a permanent fashion.

Sometimes the cloud would remain there for barely a day and it was then time to continue traveling. There was no prior warning as to the extent of the stay. To their credit the Israelites followed the directions of G-d flawlessly, never hesitating to set up camp in the fullest way. For as long as they were in that spot, it would be considered home to the greatest extent possible. Sure, they were aware that the goal was to reach the Promised Land. But till G-d would lead them there, they ensured that their institution of divine service was fully operational every step of the way.

This national sojourn in the desert is a lesson for our own private journey through life. No matter where the will of G-d may lead us, we should never hesitate to transform our new locale into a healthy Jewish community. Throughout the long and painful history of our exile, Jews have strived to build a Jewish infrastructure even when in doubt of the length of their welcome in their new host countries. This is the secret to our survival. Wherever we may be, we treat it as a permanent arrangement and ensure to build and maintain synagogues, Torah educational opportunities and everything else a Jew needs to serve G-d.

A Jew once complained to the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, that the Jewish community in his town was lacking in many ways and he therefore wished to move to the Land of Israel. The Rebbe responded “Make your town the Land of Israel”. Don’t just complain about the sorry state of affairs. Do something about it! He returned home and got to work. In a short amount of time the Jewish landscape of the town was transformed for the better.

When we reach a destination in exile, the divine presence protects us - but we need to erect the “Tabernacle” – a vibrant Jewish infrastructure – for the cloud to settle.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Yisrael Greenberg