Shabbat Greetings
Rabbi Malinger is currently on sabbatical until Monday, August 18, 2025. Even though he is taking the time to restore his spiritual wellness and taking a course to strengthen professional skills, he wanted to share different perspectives of the weekly Torah portion from his fellow rabbinic colleagues in the Reform Movement – please enjoy.
Rabbi Charles Middleburgh of Leo Baeck College of London shares: Observe them faithfully, for that will be proof of your wisdom and discernment to other peoples, who on hearing of all these laws will say, “Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people.” For what great nation is there that has a god so close at hand as is our God Adonai whenever we call? Or what great nation has laws and rules as perfect as all this Teaching that I set before you this day? (Deuteronomy 4:6–8).
By any yardstick, this week’s portion, Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) is a “big portion” because it contains a second version of the Ten Commandments and the watchward of our faith, the Sh’ma. Yet I find this text from Deuteronomy 4:6–8 especially important, packing as powerful, salutary, and relevant a punch today as in the ancient world. Three times in quick succession we read a variant of, which asserts Israelite exceptionalism, and thereby later Jewish exceptionalism.
Whether or not we believe that Jews are exceptional because of our history, our texts, or our survival or because Adonai is the only true God, this way of thinking can “other” different peoples and cultures and encourage us to believe that our stature and uniqueness justify anything we may choose to do. In these deeply unsettling times, with nationalism and exceptionalism on the rampage, both far from and close to home, there is need for a Jewish voice to assert itself in national and international debate: not to assert Jewish exceptionalism or moral “flexibility” based on our history, but rather the voice of calm, reason, commonality, and hope—because we need them all now and likely even more in the future.
One way to address the growing rise of nationalism and exceptionalism globally is by actively engaging in dialogue, not only within Jewish communities but also with others from diverse backgrounds. Building bridges across faiths, cultures, and nationalities creates spaces for understanding and collective action. This is a practical approach in promoting peaceful coexistence and finding solutions to global issues, rather than retreating into “us vs. them” narratives.
For instance, Jewish organizations can work alongside Muslim, Christian, and secular groups to address issues like refugees, racial justice, or environmental crises. By doing so, the emphasis is placed on our shared values, rather than distinguishing between “us” and “them.” May we be open to begin the conversations with others.
SHABBAT SHALOM