Making Sense of Senseless Hate

By Menachem Joel Spiegel

This past week’s horrific attack in Jersey City has left the worldwide Jewish community reeling. Our hearts go out to the families that have lost their loved ones, and we mourn alongside our brothers and sisters.

            As I heard about the situation unfolding in real-time, the thought popped into my head. Is there nowhere that Jews can consider themselves safe? I’m sure that that sentiment was shared by many in the Jewish community.

            Anti-Semitism is a rising threat across the globe. Ranging from deadly attacks in Europe, to vocal vilification and despicable caricatures in countries all around the world, Jews have been feeling increasingly unwelcome and unsafe.

            Politicians and public figures are vigorously attempting to eradicate this poison. They deserve to commended for their efforts. However, it isn’t working. Even as they fight it, anti-Semitism is slowly becoming accepted globally, as a new normal.

            Jews everywhere, are searching for reassurance, for answers. There don’t to seem to be any forthcoming. However, as always, the Torah has an answer.

            In this past week’s Torah portion, Parshas Vayishlach, the Torah records the Jewish nation’s very first encounter with Anti-Semitism. That of, Yaakov and his family, facing Eisav and his militant followers.

            Eisav had a senseless hatred for his brother, Yaakov. All he wanted was to destroy him. The Ramban brings, that this Parshah was written as a lesson for future generations.

That the same way Eisav sought to annihilate his brother, there will always be those that seek our destruction. Anti-Semitism is simply the fate of the Jewish nation. However, there is something we can do about it. Just as Yaakov dealt with the situation, so can we. We have to just look at the steps he took, in confronting his brother’s deadly hatred.

            Rashi explains that Yaakov prepared for an upcoming battle in three ways. He davened; he sent bribes to Eisav; and he prepared to fight. Let us see how these steps could potentially be taken in regard to today’s situation.

Anti-Semitism is a poison of the mind. Legislation can condemn it; politicians can decry it. However, that will not change an anti-Semite’s nefarious way of thinking. In today’s situation, combating it can possibly help, however; it is most definitely not the solution.

            We can pour financial resources into security. We can spend money on educating people. However, as history has shown us, money is not the fix for this issue. There will always be haters.

            The true solution lies in our one, unique weapon. The Torah tells us what that weapon is. It is our voice.

It is our voice of prayer, our voice of Torah. The voice of Yaakov. A voice of turning to Hashem.

The Midrash writes that Eisav’s strength over us is limited. When we engage with our voice, he has no hold over us. Herein, lies the key to solve our problem. The solution to anti-Semitism.

Of course, it is easier said than done. Everyday life is harder than simply writing these sentences. Struggles abound, disturbing us from what we truly want to do. However, at the very least, we know what we are aiming for.

The end of the story with Yaakov and Eisav, gives us comfort too. ויבא יעקב שלם – Yaakov arrived back to Eretz Yisroel in peace. Whole in body, and whole in spirit, unharmed by those who had sought his downfall.

As the Ramban writes, the same applies to us. As a nation, we have gone through a lot. However, a beautiful ending awaits. We will soon arrive home. Whole in body, and whole in spirit, healed from all our trials and tribulations.

Yaakov told Eisav that he would come to him, in his land. We know that he never went in his lifetime. However, Rashi says that he was referring to something else. He was referring to another time period, one that would take place in the future.

ועלו מושיעים בהר ציון לשפוט את הר עשו – Mashiach will fulfill Yaakov’s words to Eisav. He will go to Eisav’s land, and ensure a final justice for his people, as the world finally comes to a complete realization of Hashem and his kingship.

{Matzav.com}