Jewish Pride vs. Supremacy
Question.
2020 forced me to confront discrimination to a degree I hadn’t before. Being white, I had to reflect on privilege and how it impacts myself and others in ways I may not even be aware of. The notion of an embedded white supremacy got me thinking about being Jewish. Is the premise of a “chosen people” inherently racist? How is it different than white supremacy or any other form of discrimination?
Answer.
Well, it’s different because Jews are actually better. Just kidding!
Jews are generally very sensitive to discrimination, but I think we tend to look at it from the standpoint of the victim. It’s no secret that historically the Jewish people have suffered endless amounts of suspicion, humiliation, suppression and even violence. But sometimes it’s important to step out of that perspective, where we so often get insulted by something and immediately yell “anti-semitism!” Perhaps it’s time to take stock of our collective privilege as well.
The truth is, the term “privilege” has taken on a whole new dimension in the last decade. In June 2020 it hit an all-time high as a Google search -- no surprise there. But when people Googled “privilege” in June 2020 they likely were looking for something different than they would have been if searching for it a few years earlier. It has come to imply something reproachful, something to be ashamed of, something to reckon with and apologize for. As much as that reckoning may be a positive thing for the American people, it’s worthwhile to step out of the emotionality and censoriousness currently surrounding the term and recall that at its root, privilege simply means a special right or advantage. Certainly that advantage may be an unfair one, but that doesn’t mean all privileges are inherently destructive. In fact, privilege generally used to refer to a positive thing. As in, “it’s an honor and privilege to be here with you” -- I may not deserve it, but I’m happy and grateful, and because I’m happy and grateful, I hope to make the most of it.
Are Jews privileged? In the modern sense of the word, it depends on their situation in life. If they’re white, they’re a Jew with white privilege. If they’re affluent, they have all the advantages that come with that. But is there anything inherently or universally advantageous about being a Jew, regardless of one’s life situation?
The Torah does see being Jewish as a privilege in and of itself. It is special, and it does have advantages. But the Torah views privilege exclusively through the lens of responsibility. Every advantage, by definition, creates some commensurate obligation. You have money? There are obligations that come with that. You have the “privilege” to take care of the disadvantaged. You have influence? You have the privilege of wielding that power to encourage and model ethical behavior. You’re married, or a parent? That’s a blessing; you have the privileges of commitment and putting others first. You are part of a Chosen People? You guessed it - a privilege with obligations.
What is the privilege and obligation of being a Jew? The privilege part is this: you have a huge, central role in the purpose of existence. The obligation part is this: you have a huge, central role in the purpose of existence. In the Torah, privilege and responaibility are one and the same.
Like being a high-level executive at a huge corporation, prominence and advancement come along with significant expectations. Being a positive role model, having a solid work ethic, higher standards of integrity, taking responsibility for the actions of those in your sphere of influence, keeping the big picture goals of the company in mind when making decisions. In a nutshell, that’s what the obligation of being a Jew is. We are chosen, whether we like it or not, to be high-level officers in a global (universal! intergalactic!) corporation which aims to produce morality, good character, kindness, purpose and joy.
Being charged with a mission is definitely a privilege. It’s special and important, and comes with a certain degree of honor or prestige. But it’s not a free pass. It’s not meant to make things easier.
Does anyone “deserve” the advantages they have? Not necessarily. Do they always live up to them? Definitely not. But can one still be appreciative and aspire to fulfill the obligations that come along with it? Absolutely.
Where supremacist beliefs and other forms of discrimination truly differ from belief in the national Jewish mission is that they’re generally based on meaningless things, such as skin color or birth country. They’re also fundamentally exclusionary. The “difference” Judaism sees between Jews and other people is not based on a racial profile (Jews come in every skin color and ethnicity) and it’s not ultimately exclusionary -- anyone that wishes to be part of the mission and accept the obligations it entails are welcome aboard. They can choose to do so as a Jew or as a non-Jew. There are plenty of jobs to go around! No one who isn’t part of the mission is oppressed or targeted or seen as “inferior.” Everyone deserves the respect and dignity that comes along with being human. Because every person truly does have a purpose and a contribution to make, no matter where they’re from or which religion or non-religion they were born into.
The real question we have to take a hard look at is this: do we treat our Jewishness as mere privilege without taking stock of the accompanying obligations? Do we use it as a basis for discrimination rather than as a call to action? Without considering what we’re being called on to do, we risk living our whole lives without ever really accomplishing anything.