Lo
t’ta’eiv Adomi ki achikha hu lo-t’ta’eiv Mitzri ki-geir ha’yiyta v’artzo.
You shall not hate an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not
hate an Egyptian because you were a stranger in his land. (D’varim 23:8)
When we think
of the hardships the Israelites, and later the Jews, have had to endure
throughout our existence, it is a wonder that, as a people, we are generally
optimists. There’s a poignant scene towards the end of Fiddler on the Roof where someone says to the Rabbi, “Rabbi, we’ve been waiting for the
Messiah our whole lives. Wouldn’t now be a good time for him to come?” The
Rabbi answers, “We’ll just have to wait for him someplace else.” It’s a scene
the Jews have repeated over and over since Jacob went down to Egypt. With this
scene playing out so many times throughout history, we could be a very bitter
people. We could be isolationist and angry, frustrated and hate-filled. We’re
not. As a people, Jews have been more accepting, more understanding than any
other group. In times of need and crisis, we have provided help to nations
around the world, nations that were not always our friends. As well, Israel
exports research and technology around the globe. Here are just some of those
exports:
- Medical technology- The PillCam is a swallowable pill-sized
camera used to detect and visualize GI tract disorders, not to mention the
advances in surgical tools and techniques.
- Irrigation technology- Drip irrigation and micro-irrigation was
pioneered in Israel to save water through measured and precise crop
irrigation, which prevented much unnecessary moisture loss through
evaporation.
- Alternative Energy- Whether geothermal, wind, or solar, Israel
leads in the development and manufacture of alternative energy power
plants and materials, for example the Pythagoras solar window.
- Agricultural advances- Whether it’s milking technology that
makes Israel a leader in milk production or the development of the cherry
tomato, farmers and researchers from around the world use Israel’s
advancements to reach new markets and improve those they already have.
- Transportation Systems- MobileEye, an early warning system now
in use in vehicles to prevent collisions. MobileEye works with GM, BMW,
and Volvo, just to name a few. TourEngine reduces fuel consumption and
emissions through thermal management improving combustion and hybrid
engines.
- Computer technology- Need I say more
than the Intel Chip. What about flash drives?
Companies and
communities have innovation centres in Israel. Israeli universities welcome
thousands of international students every year. Many come from Arab and African
nations to study environmental, irrigational, and agricultural sciences to
bring home.
As a nation, it
would be easy to focus on ourselves, to be unconcerned with what happens in
other countries. However, Israel has always been focused beyond our borders and
beyond our own. Rashi explains the inclusion of the Egyptians in D’varim 23:8
by separating the leaders from their people. It’s not easy to do. It’s much
easier to refer to “them” no matter who “them” might be. It’s much easier to
identify people with their leadership. However, the Torah doesn’t let us take
the easy way out. We must look beyond the simple to do what’s right. Rashi teaches
that while the Pharaohs inflicted slavery upon the Israelites, the Egyptian
people welcomed them as guests. We remember that and pay it forward by
welcoming all and sharing the technology and advancements that will help to
make our world a better place for all of us.
