What is a Jew/An Apology to Frank

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What does it mean to be a Jew? Obviously we are all descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So what? What does Jew even mean? What does Judaism mean? The words Jew and Judaism are derivatives of Judah, the tribe of royalty in Israel. But the vast majority of us are not from the tribe of Judah. So why are we called Jews?

I was discussing this matter today with my good friend Chanan Eliav in Jerusalem. He gave me a very powerful insight. The Talmud states “Says Rav Huna: How saved from sickness and worry is the person whose help is his Master (in heaven)! Saul sinned once and it was held against him, David sinned twice and it wasn’t held against him.” (Yoma 22b) Why is that? Because when the prophet Nathan rebuked King David, he immediately admitted his sin, as it says “I have sinned to G-d!” (Samuel 12:13) King Saul, however, did not accept the consequences of his actions instantly when reprimanded. After being scolded by the prophet Samuel, he attempted to shift the blame away from himself and tried to rationalize, “The people took from the spoils-the best of that which was to be destroyed-in order to bring offerings to G-d.” Since he did not accept responsibility for what he had done right away, the crown was taken away from his tribe and he was condemned to death.

This is why we are called Jews. We learn from our righteous King David, of the tribe of Judah, what distinguishes us from the masses. A Jew is not perfect. He sins and he angers G-d. But he admits what he has done, he repents, and becomes stronger and closer to G-d through it. As King David’s son and successor King Solomon writes, “For though the righteous one may fall seven times, he will get up; but the wicked ones will stumble in evil.” Unlike other religions, Judaism does not believe in the infallibility of our leaders. We emphasize the mistakes of our great people in history, and learn from them. How does one become righteous? Not by being perfect. By getting up when one falls.

I recently wronged a few people. I will strive to not make the mistake of King Saul, but rather emulate King David, whose royal lineage will never cease to reign in Israel. I recently humiliated my cousin Frank. I called a letter that he wrote me “anti-Semetic.” I publicly apologize for the use of this term. Historically, it has been used to describe persecution, torture, libels, murder, rape, propaganda and similar incitements against Jews. It was wrong of me to use it to describe Frank’s letter, however spiteful it may have been. I accused him of causing hostility and division amongst Jews, but I in turn caused a lot more of the same with my poor choice of words. I apologize to anyone else who was upset by my remarks. I also apologize to my Aunt Phyllis for the offense she took at my wanton usage of the word, and again to her as well as my Uncle Jeff for my rudely shirking the reprimand they gave me. I hope that in the merit of us learning to follow the ways of King David and finally unite as one, the Son of David will arise speedily in our days and redeem us once and for all.

With Love from the Holy Land,
Elisha

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