We are all familiar with Bilaam’s declaration that Israel is “a nation that shall dwell alone.” And there is no shortage of commandments intended to keep a distance between us and the Gentiles to guard from too much involvement in the “unholy.”

At the same time, Jewish history has many examples of co-existence with those not of our faith. We are taught to live with Shalom and peace with all men and women, which puts an emphasis on our responsibility to the general society in which we live.

Abraham welcomed people of all faiths into his tent hoping to draw them closer to God. Some of our greatest rabbis served as physicians for princes, kings and sultans throughout history.

Over and over again we read that the Lord is King over all the earth; that “His house is a house of prayer for all nations”; that the goal of the Almighty is to bring all peoples under the Wings of One God.

Does not Zechariah invite the 70 nations of the world to converge upon Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles to worship God?

Jonah, on the other hand was so intensely devoted to Israel that he did not want to assist the people of Nineveh to change their sinful ways. As a prophet, Jonah knew that in times to come Assyria would deal a tragic blow to our nation when they exiled the 10 Tribes.

But God rebukes Jonah. “Shall I not take pity on this great city, that does not know its right hand from its left?!” the Lord says.

From the beginning it was given to the people of Israel to teach the world how to distinguish between right (“hand”) and left (wrong). We are the “bachor,” the first-born of the families of the earth here to serve as role models for the rest of humanity’s extended family, to demonstrate the type of people and type of world that God desires. To be a light to the Nations.

This is an awesome undertaking, but, as in all things, the reward is equal to the task.

Chag Sameach! Have a Blessed Festival Season and a Happy 5783 (turns out we are different!).