Babylon, not Egypt: Israel is running on the wrong story about Diaspora Jews - opinion
The Jewish people did not survive because everyone stayed committed. It survived because enough did. For most of our history, it has been the few leading the few.
The author argues that Israel is running on the wrong story regarding Diaspora Jews. They highlight their own personal experience growing up in a small Jewish community in the American South, where they were the only Jewish students in their school. Despite this isolation, the author's parents created a sense of Jewish identity for their children.
The author references the Book of Esther, which they believe demonstrates that Jews can freely accept their Judaism even when living in the Diaspora. They point out that this text was written by Jews who chose to remain in the Diaspora and build their lives there, rather than by those who returned to the Land of Israel.
The author contrasts this with the story of Egypt, which they believe teaches a harsh lesson about the fate of those who remain in exile. They note that while a small committed minority can survive and even lead the Jewish people, the majority who stayed in Egypt ultimately disappeared.
The author then compares Egypt to Babylon, which they consider a more positive example. Babylon produced the Talmud, the operating system of Jewish civilization, and did so without statehood or the expectation of returning to the Land of Israel. The author suggests that Diaspora Jews who remain actively engaged in their Judaism, even when assimilation is easy, are building something enduring like Babylon.
The author concludes by emphasizing that both Egypt and Babylon offer valuable lessons for Israel. While Egypt teaches the dangers of assimilation, Babylon demonstrates the power of a committed minority to build something lasting outside the Land of Israel. The author argues that Diaspora Jews who choose to remain actively Jewish are contributing to the Jewish people in a way that Israel cannot replicate.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
