How important is the preservation of the "ethnic" aspect of Judaism? Over the course of the centuries, Jews were always distinguishable from their fellow citizen not only by their unique beliefs and rituals, but also by their distinctly Jewish culture. For the most part they conversed in their own language; whether it was Ladino, Yiddish, or any of the other "Jewish" languages which sprouted up over time. Jews were also distinguishable by their uniquely Jewish garb and names. In whichever country they landed, the Jewish community managed to create a sub-culture which effectively separated them from their co-citizens.
Today, many minimize the importance of maintaining these external expressions of our culture. Perhaps this insularity was necessary when the Jews lived in the Dark Ages and needed to distance themselves from the rest of the population who at best were ignorant and superstitious. In a modern and enlightened society, however, there is no need to flaunt our Judaism by maintaining a Jewish sub-culture. Yiddish is for Bubby and Zaidy, and Jewish culture is fascinating...when viewed in a documentary or as a museum exhibit. Instead, Jewish beliefs and rituals should be emphasized: belief in G‑d and the Torah as His word, observing the Shabbat, prayer, and eating Kosher. Language, attire, and names are considered to be mere externalities, shallow compared to the depth of Torah and mitzvot.
Many minimize the importance of maintaining the external expressions of our Jewish culture"Those who do not study history are condemned to repeat it." Research into Jewish life in Egypt — the first time our people were guests in a foreign land — reveals an interesting fact: our ancestors were actually very lacking in the area of Jewish observance. They largely assumed the pagan beliefs of their Egyptian taskmasters and were bare of mitzvot. What they did possess was a fierce Jewish pride and a stubborn refusal to identify themselves as Egyptians.
This week's Torah portion begins with the words "And these are the names (shemot) of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt... Reuven, Shimon..." The Torah mentions the names of the Tribes because they played a pivotal role in the eventual redemption from Egyptian exile. The Midrash says that the Jews merited redemption from Egypt because they didn't adopt the culture of their host nation. They never changed their Jewish names, they continued conversing in the Holy Tongue, and they maintained their distinctively Jewish garb. "Reuven and Shimon went down [to Egypt], Reuven and Shimon left [Egypt], for they did not change their names."
It's no coincidence that the entire Book of Exodus, which discusses the Redemption and its immediate aftermath, is called Shemot.
Using one's Jewish name or wearing a kippah may not be as meaningful or spiritually uplifting as studying Torah or doing a mitzvah, but in a certain sense these symbols of Jewish identity are far more important. They demonstrate Jewish pride and dignity, they are symbols of our uniqueness, they are our defense against assimilation, and in their merit we will witness yet another redemption; the Final Redemption.
The Talmud declares, "In the merit of the righteous women of that generation, our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt." The woman, in her capacity as the mainstay and foundation of the home, sets the tone of the entire household and is the one who determines the character of the home. The Jewish women in Egypt recognized their unique responsibility and privilege, the task of raising proud Jews in the midst of the most modern and scientifically enlightened culture of the time. They accomplished this mission and brought redemption for the entire nation. According to Kabbalah, the souls of the last generation before the arrival of the Messiah are reincarnations of the generation which left Egypt. Today, too, the women who imbue their internet age children with a strong Jewish identity are the ones who are setting the stage for the final redemption.
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