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February 13, 2012
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Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
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January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
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January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
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Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
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January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Jan. 9, 2003
/ 15 Teves, 5764
In defense of separate but equal
By
Rabbi Berel Wein
The secret of survival
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
The last seventeen years of the life of our forefather, Jacob, are years of
contentment and serenity.
- His family has been reunited, albeit in the
foreign land of Egypt, and the rift between Joseph and his brothers has
somehow been repaired.
- Jacob studies Torah with his grandsons, even those
who were born in Egyptian exile, far from the holy home of Jacob in the Land
of Israel.
- He basks in the glory of the achievements of his beloved son
Joseph and in the accomplishments and students of the school of Torah
established by Judah in the land of Goshen.
- He is finally at peace after
his long and difficult life of struggle, enemies and heartbreak. As the L-rd
promised Jacob, "Joseph will place his hands over your eyes."
The triumph
and success of Joseph soothes Jacob's later years.
But Jacob is aware that the success and prosperity of his family is illusory
and temporary. He sees in his prophetic vision, the exile of Egypt unfolding
and how it will become progressively bitterer. The baleful scene that his
grandfather Abraham witnessed in the dream of his "descendants being
strangers in a land that is not theirs, and that they will be enslaved and
tortured there" until G-d redeems them, is a living reminder to Jacob of
what the future of Egypt will hold for his descendants.
Jacob knows that
difficult times are ahead and that his dream of the creation of the people
of Israel will be contested by the very Egyptian nation that has proved so
kind and hospitable to him and his family during his lifetime. Jacob's concern,
therefore, is how he can help prepare his descendants for the ordeal that
awaits them.
What are the weapons of inner strength that Jacob can bequeath to
his descendants that will enable them to withstand the centuries of physical and
psychological degradation that face them? The nature of a father and/or
grandfather is to protect and support his progeny. Jacob is therefore
undoubtedly determined to help his children. But how?
I think that the answer lies in the final blessings that Jacob grants to his
children before his death. Jacob addresses each one of his children
individually. And though each one of his sons has merits and talents, Jacob
is not reticent to point out their shortcomings of personality, as well. But
what is apparent, is that Jacob's intention is that each one of the sons develops
in fact, concentrates on their inner strengths and particular
individuality.
It is as if the salvation of Israel lies in its diversity, its individual independence and human differences, rather than in a sense of conformity and unnatural sameness.
Our teacher, Moshe, in his final blessing to the nation of Israel, also follows the
pattern of Jacob. He does not bless the people as a whole, nor does he blur the differences of outlook, professions, and personalities within the nation. Rather, e blesses and strengthens the particular talents and ways of each of the individual tribes, thereby guaranteeing a healthy, balanced and strong Jewish people.
Jacob knows that without the individual strengths of each of his sons
separately being reinforced and put to constant use, the Egyptian exile
could very well overwhelm the Jews. Therefore the Psalmist phrases the
redemption of Israel from Egyptian slavery as being the moment "When Israel
left Egypt, the House of Jacob [departed] from an alien society." Israel, as
a united nation and people, left Egypt. But it was only able to do so because
it remained "the House of Jacob," individual personalities and distinct
individuals.
This insight into the blessings of Jacob remains valid today.
It was the great Rebbe of Kotzk, who said it perhaps best: "If I am I because
I am you, and you are you because you are me, then I am not I and you are
not you. But if I am I because I am I and you are you because you are you,
then I am I and you are you!"
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in uplifting articles.
Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Rabbi Berel Wein is one of Jewry's foremost historians and
founder of the Destiny Foundation.
He has authored over 650 tapes, books and videos which you can purchase at RabbiWein.com.
Comment by clicking here or calling 1-800-499-WEIN (9346).
© 2004, Rabbi Berel Wein
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