The French Revolution emphasized three ideals
That is seen as the roots of modern democracy:
Liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Two hundred years of history have taught us
That liberty is something relative,
And that equality is nothing more than an illusion…
It seems that liberty often covers up the reality of a society
Whose members are chained in invisible fetters.
Even in the freest societies,
A person has the “liberty” to only do what
An infinite number of electronic “hypnotists” have trained him
To believe is his free will.
Regarding equality, I will just mention that it is purely formal,
Since in fact, there are equals and then there are those who are “more equal.”
[See for example the war raging in Syria for the past five years.]
When we contemplate them seriously, the two first ideals,
Liberty and equality were not realized and remain more of an illusion.
At the same time, as a member of the ancient Hebrew nation,
I must maintain my optimism, especially with regard to the third ideal,
The ideal of fraternity [Brotherhood].
Let me explain.
The first book of the Bible is essentially a geopolitical book.
It describes serious conflicts between nations
But also shows the solutions.
The conflicts end with symbolic acts such as setting borders, separation and division.
Abraham the Hebrew, who sees Lot as his brother, solves their fight with a suggestion:
“Please part from me; if [you go] left, I will go right, and if [you go] right, I will go left.” (Genesis 13:9)
Ishmael parts with his brother Isaac and moves to the desert.
Jacob parts with Lavan, his uncle and father-in-law, by setting a border at Gal-ed,
A border that is meant to mark and symbolize peace between Israel and Aram.
The clash between Jacob and Esau reaches its conclusion with reconciliation and separation:
“So Esau returned on that day on his way to Seir” (Genesis 33:16).
Is this the only way to solve the fraternity equation?!
The prophet Malachi, one of the last prophets,
Cries out in razor-sharp words:
“Have we not all one father?
Has not one God created us?
Why should we betray, each one his brother?” (Malachi 2:10)
Despite the fact that his words were spoken regarding the Hebrew nation,
This is the nation that brought the special message to the world
That we are all children of Adam, of one father.
Thus, this question can be understood as applying to all of humankind.
What heart-rending words. Wow.
I would like to again look at the book of Genesis
From a broader perspective that includes the beginning and the end.
At the beginning of the book, there are two questions that humankind “are asked” by the Creator:
The first question – “Where are you?”
Who are you and what is your goal in life.
The question is asked after Adam’s first sin,
Which we will discuss in a different essay.
Here, I would like to focus on the second question, which is a penetrating question
That is posed to the second generation,
The generation of the children, who are essentially being asked to give others space to live.
This is no longer a generation of just one person.
This is the continuing generation, where many different facets of man are suddenly exposed.
This generation is asked by the Creator of the world,
By the Giver of life,
“Where is Abel your brother?!”
Where is your brother?
Where is your brotherhood?
How do you plan to live with your brother in the same world?!
We know that Cain and Abel were not successful at living together
And it is even sadder to hear Cain shaking off any ethical responsibility
And answering the Creator’s pointed question with his own question:
“Am I my brother’s keeper?!”
What, is it my job? I need to protect my brother????
Thus, humankind begins its life
Without the ability to reconcile with others.
We call this: “The Cain Complex”…
Deep Brotherhood
Well, let’s remain a little bit optimistic…
In the book of Genesis, we also encounter the solutions that we mentioned above,
To separate, to make borders, and hope that no one dares to come close to each other.
Until…
We encounter the amazing story
Of the 12 sons of Jacob, from his four wives.
There are four different boys who are all the firstborn sons of their mothers.
Reuben is the firstborn of Leah, Joseph is the firstborn of Rachel,
Dan is Bilhah’s firstborn and Gad is Zilpah’s firstborn.
Did you ever think about how complex this situation is?
A family with 12 sons and a daughter,
And four sons who are all claiming the throne…
In this case too, is the solution setting borders and dichotomy
Between all of the sons?!
The book of Genesis ends entirely differently.
The solution is given by the brothers,
Especially by Judah, who practically is the one who acts as the firstborn,
Is mutual responsibility.
“I will guarantee him; from my hand, you can demand him”
Judah promises his elderly father, Jacob
To convince him that his son will go and return safely.
Judah stands by his promise and offers himself as a slave
In exchange for Benjamin’s freedom.
His main concern is that his younger brother comes back home.
Often, a person feels
Terribly lonely and lacking self-acceptance.
These painful feelings lead to a deep sense of longing for a connection with others.
It begins with the search for a partner’s love
And continues with the need to live in communities and even to organize as nations.
Finally, it also leads to a relationship with what is beyond this world – with the Creator.
In you, me and every person on earth, there is a true need
For unconditional love,
The kind that can be depended upon in any situation,
The kind that fills the soul with a feeling of
Total acceptance by someone else,
Who was also created in God’s image.
This connection is described at the end of the book of Genesis
By Judah, with regard to his brother Benjamin,
As mutual responsibility,
Which takes full personal responsibility for someone else.
This idea is ingrained within each one of us
As humankind’s response to the Creator.
Finally, someone is answering the Creator’s
Sharp question to Cain at the beginning of Genesis:
“Where is your brother?!”
What are you doing to help him with his problems and difficulties?!
How are you enabling him to live here in the world and feel that he is valuable,
To feel that he belongs?!
Each and every one of us possesses the strength to lead and influence,
To give others the space to live their lives,
To make the world a better place,
Within our families, our communities and our nations.
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