Keep a Low Profile

When the famine that Yosef predicted came true, the Torah shifts its attention from Egypt, and turns to Canaan. Yakov and his family had to deal with this as well.

Initially, our commentators tell us that Yakov still had food, while others around him, did not. It was only later, that his food ran out and he sent his sons to bring back food.

Yakov tried to drive home a message not only to his sons, but for all future generations. He told them not to flaunt the fact that they had provisions while others did not. He was letting them know that they needed to be careful so that they would not arouse the jealousy of the nations living in their proximity.

He wanted them to be aware that there would always be those who would hate the Jews, simply because they were Jewish. This was going to continue to exist until the time of Mashiach.

Jews were supposed to keep a low profile. They were not supposed to flaunt their wealth and success in the eyes of their Gentile neighbors. They hated us anyways, and did not need to be given another reason for this senseless hatred.

Rav Meir Kahane once said, “When things are good for the Getile, they hate us quietly. When things are bad for the Getile, they hate us loudly. When things are very bad, they hate us violently.”

We are so fortunate to have a Jewish homeland. The worldwide anti-Semitism we are witnessing today, is most troubling. But what is more troubling is the attitude of most Jews. They think it’s a passing phase and the problem will just go away with time. History has taught otherwise, and it’s time to wake up.

There is only one country in the world where Jews are welcomed with open arms. This is Israel, and this is what makes the current situation a little less frightening. We must live humbly and not arouse the envy of the Gentile. But even more importantly, it is time for all Jews to come home.