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Maintaining A Jewish Presence
As We Pursue Equality
Jewish Ethics in Business:
The Road to Success
Hannan Lis
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improved its understanding of the
Jew, but the Jew has lost something
of his high conception of himself.
Every year, when I meet with the
high school class, I ask them to react
to the term "chosen people."
Inevitably, the vast majority of 15
year olds state their strong dislike
od said to Abraham: "And
for the term and what they think it
I will make of thee a great
means. They want no part of "cho-
nation, and I will bless thee
senness" because it offends their
and make thy name great,
sense of democratic equality. "We
and be thou a blessing."
are all human beings, none better
A great and unique destiny was
and none worse."
conferred on Abraham and his
Our young reflect the
descendants by these words.
attitude of their elders. To
However, there have been
the majority of Jews, the
times in the life of the Jew
idea of chosenness is, at
when it is difficult to believe
best, irksome. Toward the
in this promise — ages of
outside world, they would
suffering and misery, tragic
like to turn the tender cheek
oppression and humiliation.
of equality, hoping to be
There were eras when the
accepted as equals because
world's low opinion of the
they themselves eschew all
Jew was so pervasive that it
pretense of separateness.
entered the folk-images of
We were kept apart
RABBI IRWIN
the Western World:
because
you forced us to
GRO NER
Shylock, with his pound of
live
apart.
Now we want to
Sp ecia 1 to the
flesh; Fagin, the corrupter of
be
partners
in the whole
Jewish News
youth; Judas Iscariot, the
pattern of social life.
deity-killer of the Passion
The modern Jew is free
Play.
to live a Jewish life, and he strives to
. But the world's opinion of the
avoid it. He fights for free religious
Jew and the external circumstances
expression and when he obtains it, he
of his life did not affect his mind
foregoes its benefits.
and spirit, for the Jew had his own
We need to re-affirm the basic
self-image, one fashioned by his tra-
principle. The Jewish story begins
dition and the discipline of his way
with Abraham. Abraham, tradition
of life. That tradition taught him
declares, stood alone, not because he
from his early youth that he was
sought to be a dissenter or deviate
sprung from a people who had been
but because he was set apart to realize
chosen by God to plan an unique,
great ideals. In his uniqueness, he
saving role in the history of
discovered a blessing that would
mankind. When he saw oppression
endure for all generations. We, his
and injustice, it was his mission to
descendants, have been chosen to live
cry out for truth and freedom. One
with a consciousness of purpose, to
of the factors that explains the quali-
pursue the high standards that the
ty of Jewish life has been the high
Torah sets before us.
conception of itself and its character
Let us remember this and teach it
that Israel was always held.
to our children. ❑
We can derive great satisfaction
from the knowledge that the Jew is
perceived differently in the modern
world, and his achievements are
widely recognized. It is significant to
In what ways can we shift a focus
note the extent and degree to which
from editorialism to activism and
Jewish themes, terms and personali-
work on behalf of morality?
ties have become popular in
Name some ways in which
American culture.
Jewish themes, terms and person-
Yet, in the midst of this dramati-
alities have become popular in
cally improved society, where the Jew
is recognized for his contribution and
America.
How can we make the most of
respected for his accomplishments,
the religious expression which is
we are not at ease. The world has
ours without sacrificing tradition?
Irwin Groner is senior rabbi at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
Shabbat Lech Lecha:
Genesis 12:1-17:27;
Isaiah 40:27-41:16
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