Are the Jews Destined to Be a Nation That Dwells Alone?
Moses Breaking the Tables of the Law (1659), by Rembrandt. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. There are two portions of the Torah that we, in the Diaspora, will read this Shabbat. The first was the crisis initiated…
Assessment
This piece uses a Torah portion about the scouts' report to frame a discussion of Jewish isolation. The crisis of confidence and punishment of delay are presented as a recurring theme. Readers should watch for how the author connects this ancient story to modern Jewish identity and geopolitics. The reference to being a nation that dwells alone suggests an exploration of Jewish destiny and separation from other nations.