Perhaps It Is Time To Change Tack!

153 nations voted for the ceasefire resolution in the General Assembly of the United Nations, while 10 voted against it. 

Here you have it, once again, the nations of the world will not allow the Jewish people to defend themselves against an enemy who has inflicted on them a massacre, seen in almost real time by the entire world. 

As Jews, we shouldn't be surprised. As millions of Jews throughout the world have recited in the Haggadah for millennia, 'In each generation, they stand against us to destroy us, but the holy one blessed be He rescues us from their hands'. 

Perhaps it is time that we change tack. As the saying goes, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

When Pharaoh meets Joseph for the first time, he says, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it. Now I have heard it said of you that for you to hear a dream is to tell its meaning.”

Joseph’s response is honest as it is clear, “Not I! G-d will see to Pharaoh’s welfare.”

The Egyptians did not have a friendly relationship with the Hebrews. The same was true for Pharaoh. Joseph had a clear understanding of that. Yet, he was also aware that to establish a healthy relationship built on respect and trust, one has to be honest and direct. 

Alone in the world, it would have been understandable if he attempted to hide his identity and faith. Yet, he was not under any illusion. Our forefathers, Abraham and Isaac, educated him! 

It worked for Joseph. He immediately gained full respect and trust from Pharaoh. It was a win-win for both. Never has a Jew exerted such a great amount of influence over a superpower. 

Joseph’s story is our story. It is the story of the Jewish people as they live in exile. It is a timeless lesson on how to engage power while in exile. 

We have tried to justify the right of the Jewish people to live in the land of Israel using every explanation in the book. We are even having to constantly justify our right to defend ourselves. 

Yet, the outcome remains the same. Only 10 nations out of 186 nations in the world support Israel's right to defend itself. 

Perhaps it is time to change our approach. 

Perhaps it is time to learn and take pride in our history. 

Let’s tell the world our story with conviction, clearly, simply and honestly. 

The world is desperate for clarity. As Jews, we are expected to be “A light unto the nations”.