Parshat Vayeishev

Chanukah, possibly more than any other holiday on the Jewish calendar, reminds us of the challenges of living with influences from the world around us. Among many themes, the holiday reminds us not only of the struggle between the Maccabees and the Syrian Greeks, but of the struggle between the Maccabees and the Hellenists, the group of Jews who wanted to be more like the culture around them and less like Jews. This is not unlike today when, at this time of year, we are reminded of our place within a larger society. What is the best way to react? Is it to isolate or to engage?

If one strictly looked answered the questions through the lens of the Chanukah story, it seems obvious: The lesson after the Maccabees would be that engaging in outside culture compromises who we are. However, the Haftarah, the reading from the book of Zechariah (2:14-4:7) that we read this coming Shabbat, the Shabbat of Chanukah, gives us another angle. As Rabbi Yehudah Shaviv points out, the reading teaches 3 primary concepts about engagement with other nations, through its first three verses.

The reading describes the time of the Messiah and says that "I (Hashem) am coming to dwell among you." The first lesson: That at the time of the Messiah, Hashem will come and dwell with the Jewish people.

Hashem then states, "Many nations will join Hashem.... (The text reiterates) and I (Hashem) will dwell in your midst". This is the critical second lesson: When everyone joins to understand the message and holiness of Hashem, the Jewish people will not lose their identity. There will be a connecting of many nations together. Yet, it will not be dangerous. Hashem tells us that despite this "opening of the tent" and universal vision, the Jews will still have a very special relationship with Hashem and Hashem will still dwell among the midst of the Jewish people.

In the third verse, Zechariah states, "Hashem will take Judah as His heritage.....and Hashem will choose Jerusalem again." Finally, the third lesson: Once again, Hashem is telling us not to fear about being in the world at large. A new era where the world will come together, will not mean an end to the unique Jewish identity. Hashem will have a special place in His heart for Yerushalayim, the eternal home Am Yisrael.

The message is clear and extremely contemporary: Although we must be firm in our religious convictions, and keep our holy identity as Jews, we can join with other nations. We can live among others, and, at the same time, have the confidence to do so with dialogue and openness and, most importantly, with the faith and conviction that it will not water down who we are. It will help all of us to grow, while, at the same time, holding on to the unique gifts of the distinctly Jewish relationship with Hashem.