25 Jul Encountering Philo-Semitism
There is a well known adage “if it bleeds, it leads.” For better or worse, negative press gets a lot more attention than positive one.
The same is true with anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic Incidents need to be documented and reported, but should also be taken in context in terms of it thankfully being the exception and the norm in most places in the world (using your own experiences as a frame of reference can be useful with this.)
To that point, I have shared some rare (thank G-d) incidents that have occurred to me over the years, but have had a lot more positive ones that I tend to gloss over, perhaps because of the human tendency to have a negativity bias and also because the positive experiences are generally not as dramatic.
For example, there have been a number of occasions, particularly over the past year, when a gentile has approached me to comment how s/he respects the Jewish people, the country of Israel or the values which we embody. My typical reaction is to warmly thank them for their support and respect, occasionally getting into a discussion about the 7 universal Noachide laws which were prescribed by G-d (to Adam and Noah) to give all humankind a moral and fulfilling life and afterlife. After the brief encounter, the amicable discussion is generally forgotten.
But a few weeks ago a stranger’s Philo-Semitic act was too significant for me to gloss over.
I was with my kids at Duty Tire (an auto-repair shop), getting an oil change. During the wait we took a walk outside around the area before going back into the shop for a few minutes until the van was ready. During that time, I kept an eye on the kids while doing some light work I had brought.
When the car was ready and I went to the counter to pay, Chris from Duty Tire mentioned that the van needed new tires, which didn’t come as a shocker since congregant Ronald Green had pointed it out a week or so before then. I told him I would call him to make an appointment for the tires and left the shop with my kids.
About an hour later Chris calls me back. “One of our customers waiting in the shop at the same time you were there noticed you and your beautiful family and wanted to pay for the tires. So go ahead and make the appointment –it’s already been covered!”
I was shocked. This was no small but kind “pay it forward” gesture someone makes when they pay for the next person’s toll fare or coffee at the Starbucks drive-thru. This was a $600 gift from a total anonymous stranger who I didn’t even have a conversation with!
What would prompt someone to sponsor a stranger’s four tires?!
Not having the opportunity to speak with him or her, I would surmise that it stems from the same sentiment that would prompt a non-Jew to approach me to tell me how they respect me as a Jew. The person likely saw myself and my 4 children dressed as identifying Jews (and hopefully was impressed with their behavior 🙂 and was motivated to do something to show his/her support for who we are and what we represent.
This display of Jew respect is not a recent phenomenon, in fact this week’s Torah portion alludes to it. In discussing the blessings that will come to fruition if the Jews obey G-d’s commandments, the Torah states: And all the nations of the world will see that the Name of G-d is upon you and they will fear you ( Deuteronomy 28:10).
The Talmud explain that the verse refers to the Tefillin worn on the head, which displays the letter Shin, symbolizing G-d’s name. Prior to the Six Day War, the Rebbe cited this verse in calling on Israeli soldiers and Jews around the world to spiritually assist in Israel’s security by praying with Tefillin, even if they were not religious or rarely donned Tefillin. Tefillin are visible to the eye and have the spiritual power to inspire fear in the hearts of our enemies. Indeed, one of the most powerful images of the miraculous Six Day War, is of the Egyptian soldiers fleeing the Sinai in total disarray.
But I think that the words from the verse “and all the nations of the world will see that the Name of G-d is upon you” can be applied beyond the Mitzvah of Tefillin. When non-Jews see that we and our children proudly identify as Jews by our appearance and behavior and that we are cognizant of our roles in being ambassadors of G-d, they deeply respect that.
In the words of the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, “Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism, and they are embarrassed by Jews who are embarrassed by Judaism.”
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, it’s a great time to gauge our Jewish pride meter. Let’s look for opportunities to make a Kiddush Hashem — a public sanctification of G‑d, by openly identifying as proud and caring Jews. While I can’t guarantee it will get you free tires, Jewish pride and self-respect will earn you the esteem and admiration of those around us, Jews and non-Jews alike.
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