Seeking the Favor of Nations?

“For the children of Israel are servants to Me”. (Vayikra 25:55) 
 

Only One World Power 

Throughout history, there have always been nations who became the world’s leading power. They were the strongest, mightiest nation and it considered itself the “leader amongst nations.” 
 

These countries are always exerting their power and influence over the other nations, which do everything they can to try and please the leading nation. 
 

While these countries might seem strong and powerful, the yidden must always remember that Hashem rules over all of the nations. He is the King of Kings. Hashem alone determines who will lead the world at different times. Hashem designates kings as we say on the Yomim Noraim in the V’Chal Maminim: “Who grants kingship to kings, and [all] sovereignty is His. And all believe that He the eternal King…” 
 

There have been times when the yidden have forgotten this fundamental principle. They admired these nations and their leaders. And, as a result, they emulated their cultures and behaviors slowly assimilating into their host cultures. They believed that this would help them earn society’s respect and favor. 
 

However, in the end, this has always been proven to be a fruitless effort. Assimilation never secured the safety of these Jewish communities. These nations have always – at one point or another – turned against the Jews. They would issue harsh and horrific decrees that targeted the Jewish communities. All their efforts to be accepted were for naught. For, in the end, everything depends on Hashem, the Supreme Ruler of the world. 
 

While you can see this reality during any point of history, it was patently clear during the Holocaust. The nations of the world did not heed the Jews’ call for help. 

It’s Only Jews! 

In Parshat Vayishlach, after Dinah was defiled, the children of Yaakov demanded that the people of Shechem should circumcise themselves. 
 

R’ Yehonason Eibshitz, zt”l, explained the reason of this demand: 

The children of Yaakov believed that the men of Shechem were deserving death for what they had done. However, they were worried that if they had slaughtered the men of Shechem, the world would be in an uproar over one person annihilating another. 
 

Therefore, they devised the “cure before the disease”; they had a solution that would preemptively address this issue. 
 

Once the men of Shechem were circumcised, they were Jewish! Now, their concerns about how this slaughter would be perceived were irrelevant. As R’ Yehonason explained, the nations of the world have always stood by silently as Jews have been slaughtered.  

A Friend Quickly Becomes a Foe

This was also true in Egypt. It was a world power. And the Jews began assimilating. They indulged in the culture’s decadence. Eventually, Hashem turns Pharaoh’s heart and the Jews, despite their efforts to be accepted by society, become vilified, hated, and enslaved. 
 

The slavery itself inspired the Jews to want to return to Hashem. They realized the errors of their ways. The slavery made them understand that they needed to maintain their Jewish identity and that sacrificing that identity to try and earn favor by the non-Jews was useless. 
 

They began to be more diligent to differentiate themselves from the non-Jews through their clothing. They dressed like Jews and not Egyptians. By doing so, they merited the redemption as Chazal taught (Pesuksa Zutrasa, Parshat Veira 6:6) that the Jews were redeemed because they did not change their style of dress. 

The Modesty and Merit of the Jewish Women 

There was a special merit for the holy Jewish women. Egypt was known for its immodesty. The Egyptian woman would wear revealing clothing. They dressed and acted promiscuously. However, the Jewish women did not change their clothes. They still dressed and behaved modestly. 
 

This was not easy. It took tremendous devotion and sacrifice. They were mocked and ridiculed. They were degraded by the Egyptians. The Jewish women could have spared themselves this humiliation had they decided to dress like the Egyptians. In fact, they could have dressed in a way that no one would have been able to recognize that they were Jewish. They could have left the Jewish “ghetto” in Goshen and tried to blend into Egyptian culture. 
 

However, these righteous Jewish women would not bend in the least. They continued to dress, walk, and behave modestly. Married women covered their hair. And, because of this, they were called “the righteous woman”, and it was in their merit that the entire Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt. 

The Lesson from Egypt 

We constantly remember this story of Egypt. And we must always learn this practical but critical lesson. For example, for a Jew think that if he changes the way he dresses during the week he might be able to be more successful in business, he needs to remember that is based on a false narrative. 
 

A Jew who thinks earning favor with the non-Jews and trying to blend into their culture can be beneficial, mistakenly thinks that these non-Jews can actually help him. 
 

Everything depends on Hashem and His Hashgacha Pratis. He alone controls this word. The only “being” that can help a Jew is Hashem. Therefore, the Jew’s only focus must be to earn favor in Hashem’s Eyes. He must realize that if he violates Hashem’s Will, then he loses everything. And, if he fulfills Hashem’s Will, he can receive everything with serenity and ease, as we saw in Egypt. 

More Than Style

Jewish clothing is like the seal of the King, the King of the World. A Jew’s clothing distinguishes him as a Jew and as a member of the King of King’s legions. It is our uniform. As it says (Devarim 28:10), “Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the name of the Lord is called upon you, and they will fear you… ” 
 

This is even more relevant to the kippah one wears on his head. This is the most obvious Jewish identifier. Therefore, you should never be ashamed of it or hide it. You must always walk proudly and openly with your kippah on your head demonstrating and proliferating the Glory of the Heavens. 

“I am the Lord!” 

This is the meaning of the pasuk quoted above. Hashem tells the Jewish people, “For the children of Israel are servants to Me… ” Jews most proudly remember that they are members of Hashem’s legions. We are His rank and file. Therefore, the Jews must not try and assimilate into the non-Jewish cultures to be viewed favorably. You cannot tend to the non-Jews like a slave who eagerly tries to please his master since everything in his life depends on that master. The Jews must remember that the non-Jews themselves are under the domain of the King of Kings. 
 

We need to contemplate that Hashem declares that: “They are My servants, whom I took out of the land of Egypt”. The Jews must remember the clear lesson of Egypt: our only mission is to be faithful servants to Hashem. 
 

We are subservient only to Him and therefore, “I am the Lord, your God…” The faithful are rewarded, men and women, for being proud of their Judaism, and adhering to the Jewish identities expressed in their dress and behavior which are aimed to cause favor in Hashem’s Eyes. 

*** 

The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. Sign up at www.kaalov.org.