Why are Jews Everywhere? Religion & the Messianic Era - Rabbi Yitzchak Botton

the only reason why the Jews were scattered in Exile among the nation spread across the globe was so that the nations of the world could could see the way Jewish people live and and convert to Judaism that's in order to be in order to increase converts to the Jewish faith now the immediate reaction to such idea is that we we don't see this happening we don't see that Jews go actively out and proze and try to convert non-jews so what is the meaning of this teaching so the teaching is really meant more in a passive way uh first of all the idea that Jews being spread around the globe allows and facilitates people seeing the way Jewish people live and again in the cases where those people are religious and follow the Torah and behave according to the moral dictates of the Torah and they're honest and they they believe in God and they they they behave nice with everyone around them as much as they can so then that's a positive example and it helps people see you know what is an ideal way that the Torah that God's Bible shows for people to live now the truth is this is happening happening anyway you know as a result this is happening why because every religion uses as its base not every religion but the main religions we talk about Christianity and and and and Islam they both have the Old Testament what they call the Old Testament or again the actual Torah of Moshe they have that as their base and so really everyone has accepted the Torah and that was given to us at har and at least should read it and understand it and so the truth since we're scattered all around there is this impact we have for example if look at the Judicial Systems of the different countries one cannot honestly take a look at that and and not say that it has been influenced and affected by the Civil laws of the Torah that were given thousands of years ago you know in a time when the world was barbaric and killing each other we had a book we had civil laws that discussed even the laws of returning lost objects to people so imagine that idea that we have this Torah that Nations could look at us from afar that's one level of influence and that took place when we became a nation through the times that we had the the Torah and we lived in Israel but in Exile we have an interesting opportunity when we when we become part of the the hosting country that we're living and and we have to get along and we have to work with the the rules of that country and so our way of life also becomes exposed we become a light onto the nations in the fact that we're spread by by by every nation and so that gives an opportunity for them to see and and and appreciate and respect the values that we base our life and live our lives by and so that's one level of influence that we can have on the nations of the world now again this is of course hindered and cannot really happen ideal in an ideal way when we're hated and we're being abused and and killed and we've gone through those phases in life and of course in those phases this wasn't working but today thank God for the most part most people are now reached a level of maturity and understanding that there's a Live and Let Live system we don't have to be all identical in order to respect and learn from one another and so now really the the the doors are opened and and and people's hearts and minds are opened and for the most part there are still of course this problem of of anti-Semitism that has to be dealt with but but thankfully so there is a peaceful enough environment for us to then now communicate and be a light onto the Nations as the Torah says we should be and so that's one idea why we don't actually actively prize because the goal is not to convert as many people as we can to Judaism the point is to show them this way of life and let them apply it and and and and incorporate it in their way of life with their set of beliefs and their choice of religious path as long as we all believe in the same God then we're all on the same page but they don't they're not obligated to to follow our customs and our particular 63 Mitzvah they have a more General path and as long as they just can they they can benefit from the positive things that they see in the Torah that's that's enough now for the individuals that feel that they want more that they want to become fully Jewish and converts and the door is open for all those that sincerely want it's not simple there's a process and they have to again accept Judaism as it is and not try to take Judaism and reinvent it and change it to what they want it to be that's would be the first option is to take what you like and incorporate into your own way of life but not to become Jewish and then change Judaism and so that's why there's only a much smaller number of people that ultimately convert to Judaism but that is one of the reasons the gamar says straightforward that we were sent and scattered around the world for the potential converts that will then join us Hashem is aware that they'll be anti-Semitism nonetheless he spread us around the world in order to have a positive influence in the situations and times when people will be more receptive to what we represent and what we have to offer and so this is a tremendous kindness Hashem did for the world for the nations of the world it shows that he doesn't only have interest and want one people he wants the entire world and all of the people in it to recognize him and and and turn towards him and be loyal to him he's and he's using us his his people the people that have received the Torah and that are at the nucleus of this in in Jerusalem here in Israel H to help accomplish this goal uh it's it's it's fascinating idea that in the end he's putting us at a level of risk but at the same time promising to protect us because there is a level of anti-Semitism and unfortunate Jew hatred just because we're Jewish and that is still not not not eradicated from the world there are people out there that still think and feel this way and that's why you see issue of anti-Semitism what God willing should be done about it is there should be a a a collective Gathering of all of the people that believe in the value of humanity to stand up against that silently allowing the people to just persecute a person for for his beliefs or where he comes from we all have to unite and and and pers and stand against that if we let this small minority make such a problem and idly watch so then then then that's that's said because really we should care enough about ourselves and our fellow to do more to eradicate this concept of all hate towards individual groups of people and countries we should really work to get rid of it entirely and and a big part of it is this this this weird obsession with hating Jews really throughout throughout history and so we're unfortunately at the center because we are a minority and we are not necessarily always in a position where we can defend ourselves and we're vulnerable and so when we're persecuted and when there's anti-Semitism it's just a sign of hatred baseless hatred for no reason other than that we're different that exists in the world and so we should really gather our strengths and what we have in common and to try to really weaken and eradicate this this this cancer this is a cancer that's destroying and and killing Society let us understand how God envisions the future this perfect world that he is unfortunately still waiting for us to deliver because he gave us a level of responsibility and ability to to make this happen and and unfortunately we're we're going about it very very slowly so let's just speak about the the verses in in the tanak in the Bible that speak about the the the Jewish perspective of the end of days it says clearly in SAA that that all nations All Nations not necessarily all converting to any one religion but all nations remaining who and what they are accepting in unison in unity in entire world God's sovereignty and God's leadership and uniting as one people each in their place and that is the beautiful idea of of a world Unity without each Nation trying to swallow up the other we allow each other to be who they are and live peacefully together with the belief that we're all here put here by God and it's really ultimately we all have to just turn to Hashem and accept him and and serve him and follow his truth now again each nation has its place each people have their place but that is the the picture of the perfect world when Messiah comes when the Messiah comes and again that is a bit contradictory to again some beliefs out there so what do we do I think that instead of making contra rovery and fighting over it because again each religion thinks they have an updated version of what God wants we certainly believe that we have the original version that hasn't changed and this is in fact the perfect world that God is is is waiting for and had in mind from from when he chose Abraham is that Nations that serve him together not everyone becoming one nation in this Melting Pot Theory um but again other religions feel differently I guess I believe the Christians and the Muslims believe that everybody has to become their and if not then you're out so obviously we don't accept that idea so how do we get past this obstacle I think we put it aside we can agree to disagree and let mashiah when he comes and let God himself tell us when prophecy returns which way he wants it to be and we will all accept that so instead of using the differences we have in our beliefs and who we look at as prophets and who we base our our which which book we actually base our lives on to follow let's put the differences aside and allow the commonalities to unite us and make the world that fits the model of a better world and a a world closer to peace and then Hashem will certainly come and help complete our efforts and bring the Messiah and bring us to this perfect world that he created for us