The Chosen Teachers

As a student in school, did you ever see your teacher as being a “better person” than you are? Someone that’s “superior” to you? No of course not.

It was always a question of mutual respect.

If the teacher cared about the students, cared about and knew the curriculum well, taught their lesson with love and passion for the subject at hand, was well prepared and so forth, chances are the students would be counting down the minutes until their next class with said teacher.

They wouldn’t want the class to end.

Of course the direct opposite holds true for a teacher that doesn’t follow these principles. The kids will beg to stay home.

They will hate that teacher, despise him/her… They will question his/her “purpose” in the building, and will certainly make complaints to the principal in the office, who may decide upon taking further action.

For many a long time, I’ve had a difficulty/discomfort with the concept of, “G-d’s Chosen People”. Many people, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, do too.

Like.. “What is that even supposed to mean? Am I a BETTER PERSON than the next guy just because I’m born into the Jewish world? No.

The world today is asking a serious question.. “What is the purpose of the Jewish People? Moreover, what is the purpose of Israel?”

Are we a people who should be legitimately accused for stealing the land and referred to as, “settler colonialists”?

Are we a people, who being less than .01% of world population, destined forever to be, “..An object of scorn and ridicule amongst the nations where The L-rd will drive you..” (Deuteronomy 28:37) ?

Are we a people destined for the sake of “survival” from one day to the next? To “survive” another day of raging antisemitism, rocket attacks, and war? As the famous Jewish holiday joke goes..

“They tried to kill us. We survived. Let’s eat!”

Is this really what it’s all about or is there something more?

What then is our purpose? And for that matter, what then should be our goal?

“…A Light Unto the Nations” Isaiah 42:6

The Land of Israel is the school. The Jewish People are the teachers. The Torah is the curriculum, and the Temple in Jerusalem is The Principal’s office.

The Nations are our students..

And many of whom are losing patience.

Without the teacher in the classroom (and following the curriculum), the only thing you end up with is chaos. No sense of direction, and anger.

And it’s been like that, for close to 2,000 years.

True however, 50% of the nation is back in the land, and that’s a huge step forward.. But now we need to complete the job.

I believe The Principal, seeing the chaos unfolding before His Eyes, is trying to send a global message to all the students, and especially their parents – i.e… President’s, King’s, World Leader’s and MP’s.

Bring them Home (Now).

(On a side note, I do not wish to make light of a difficult and sad situation with respect to our holy hostages. We pray everyday for their safe return and the destruction of the evil that exists in Gaza.)

But without question in my mind, The Principal is speaking clearly to all…

As the prophet says..

“And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house (His office) shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations (the students) shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say: ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways (through His teachers, the Jewish People), and we will walk in His paths. For out of Zion (Israel the school, NOT America!!) shall go forth the law (the curriculum), and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:2-4)

The time has come to bring His people home.

The time has come to rebuild His office.

The time of your redemption has arrived.

“Learn and observe (The Torah) for it is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations, who will hear of all these laws and proclaim that this is truly a great, wise and understanding nation” (Deuteronomy 4:6).

And maybe the students will come to love us once again.