What Is Slavery to You?

The Passover Haggadah speaks of four children: one righteous, one wicked, one simple, and one who does not even know how to ask a question.  The child who is described as wicked asks, “mah ha-avodah ha-zot lachem?”  The word “avodah” has several meanings.  Most often, it is translated here as “ritual.”  According to that approach, this child is considered wicked for questioning religious rites.  But as Rabbi Mitch Levine taught me, “avodah” in the Haggadah consistently refers to the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt.  Thus, it seems most convincing to conclude that this child is wicked not for questioning, or even abandoning, religious ritual, but rather for ignoring or minimizing Jewish history—in particular, the suffering of the Jewish people for hundreds of years in Egypt.  While observing religious rituals is of great significance, studying, embracing, and internalizing a shared history is also critical to shaping Jewish identity.

The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of England, was one of the most brilliant Jewish philosophers of our generation.  Observing a world already in crisis, and anticipating that the crisis could worsen, Rabbi Sacks wrote a groundbreaking book shortly after 9-11 entitled “The Dignity of Difference,” in which he passionately argued that harmony between human beings will never come exclusively from emphasizing similarities and commonalities between communities, but rather from understanding and respecting the differences between them.

Separately, but relatedly, Rabbi Sacks made a life-changing observation that every Jew should internalize: “Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism.”  Because he believed fervently in the dignity of difference, Rabbi Sacks insisted that pride in and respect for Jewish tradition and history—as opposed to assimilation—is ultimately the best way for Jews to fight anti-Semitism.

The past six months have been difficult for the Jewish community, as Israel fights for its survival and to save hostages taken by a despicable terrorist group.  While there are thankfully pockets of profound sympathy and support for Israel and Jews, overall anti-Semitism has risen around the world, including in the United States.  It is painful (particularly for those of us with children on college campuses) to watch college students chanting not just hurtful but murderous slogans against Jews, physically intimidating, and even attacking them, mostly with impunity.  While the Jewish community (and its allies) must focus significant energy on directly countering these threats, a parallel, inwardly-directed focus is equally critical.  Strengthening our connection, and our children’s connection, to our rich historical and religious heritage is the best long-term buffer against anti-Semitism.  It will enrich us, and engender the respect of others, long after the current crisis is in the rearview mirror.