The Golden Chain will Outlive the Golden Age

3/15/24

In a widely reported piece earlier this month, Franklin Foer wrote in The Atlantic suggesting that the "Golden Age of American Jews" is coming to an end.

Whether you agree or disagree with Foer's analysis, his piece got me thinking about the forever continuing and most wondrous story of the Jews.

Not only have Jews survived through millennia despite repeated attempts to destroy us, but we've also achieved Golden Ages in our various destinations. America is not the first place to have a Golden Age for Jews. At one point in our history, the same was said of Babylon, Spain, Poland, and even Germany!

As Mark Twain said: "All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains."

But Twain doesn't explain the secret to this phenomenon. He concludes with an unanswered question: "What is the secret of his immortality?"

Later this month, we celebrate Purim and mark the victory of the Jews in what is arguably history's most severe case of antisemitism when Haman attempted to "destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day." (Esther 3:13)

As devastating as his plan was, I think that Haman's accusation and hate for the Jews is a tremendous eye-opener and ironically holds the secret for Jewish survival until this day. Here's what Haman told the king:

"There are one people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them." (Esther 3:8)

As he described the Jewish people to the king, Haman pointed out three character traits, which, upon some thought, contain the answer to Mark Twain's question and the key to Jewish continuity.

1. "One people"

If a group wants to survive, it is imperative that they feel a bond and connection to each other. If they don't stand up for each other, they will certainly not be able to stand up to others!

While antisemites despise the kinship Jews feel for each other, it is precisely the unity and sense of community that allowed us to survive until today and will ensure our continuity.

That a Jewish family on Martha's Vineyard or South Dakota, Jerusalem or Zambia, is welcomed into the local Jewish community and made to feel like family--is the golden link on our golden chain.

2. "Scattered and dispersed among the peoples."

This one is less flowery but, historically, has been equally crucial.

Being "scattered and dispersed" has always been critical to our survival. When Jews in Poland were killed, Judaism had a rebirth through communities in Israel and America. When Jews in Spain were forced to flee or convert, they were able to thrive once again in the other communities along the Mediterranean.

Here's what the Talmud has to say about this: "The Holy One, Blessed be He, performed a charitable deed toward Israel in that He scattered them among the nations. (Pesachim 87 B)

"Had He exiled them to one place, they could have all been destroyed at once." (Rashi, Ibid)

Now we have Israel, so it's a bit of a different story. No longer will we be killed without the ability to fight back.

3. "Whose laws are different from those of all other people."

Herein lies the secret of secrets. If there is one thing that ensures Jewish survival, it is this: our commitment to our traditions and refusal to assimilate.

Jews could have all the success in the world; they can even achieve a "Golden Age," but if we don't cherish our traditions and hold them close to our hearts, there will be little value to a Golden Age. The age might remain golden, but the people--their future generations--will no longer be Jewish.

If we want our children and grandchildren to be the proud Jews we are, there is only one way to get there: it is by being a people "Whose laws are different." By celebrating Shabbat each week, by giving ourselves and our children a Jewish education, by making a prayer before or after eating, or by lighting the Shabbat candles.

Whether the golden age of American Jews is over is up for debate, but we can be sure that the golden chain of Jewish continuity will outlive any single golden age.

The Jews are an eternal people, and their story will live on forever. The only question is whether we will choose to be part of the story.