Devar/5769/Va'era
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עברית
English
and I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians (Ex 6:7)
Before this, the Children of Israel were not considered a "people" but rather a "family". From now on, they are considered a "people". Before this, they only worshiped God as a family tradition. From now on, they would worship Him as a national commandment. What is the difference between a people and a family?
A family is a narrow and closed framework. Not everyone can join a particular family. In contrast, anyone who desires to, and meets the requirements, can join the nation by the process of "conversion". The framework is more open, more inclusive and more stable. Even though it is possible for anyone to join the nation, nevertheless the connections between individual members of the nation are stronger and tighter than between them and the rest of the nations.
The Jewish people who were created here are an am qadosh, that is to say a 'separated people' -- whose task in the world is to show all the other nations of the world how one lives with his Creator, how one lives beyond the day-to-day. A people who are an example and a sign, to whom the eyes of the other nations are always looking.
And therefore our tiny people grabs so much attention in the "news". There is hardly a place in the world where they have not heard of us -- whether for good or for evil. By means of Him, may He be blessed, taking one nation from the midst of another nation, a people was created which influenced and continues to influence the entire world.
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