The Secret of Jewish Success
What makes us Jews so prominent and successful? In every imaginable field: law, medicine, politics, Nobel prize winners, wealth, philanthropy, Hollywood, sports (owners, not players;) - Jews seem to rise to the top. What is the secret of our success?
It not not because we are racially superior. We are not any smarter or more talented than non-Jews. However, Jews seem to excel in the area of ambition. There seems to be a drive for leadership that is uniquely Jewish.
The Mussar masters associate this drive with a spiritual source rather than a genetic one. The secret behind this strong Jewish ambitious drive is linked to the soul. The Jewish people were chosen for a sacred mission: to lead. To be role models for humanity. When Abraham stepped up to the plate and accepted this mission, not only only did his name change from Avram to Avraham, but his entire spiritual essence changed as well. (A Hebrew name describes the spiritual essence of that person. That is why the essence of the Hebrew word for soul, נשמה is שם, which means name!)
Abraham was gifted with an added spiritual dimension. His soul expanded and motivated him to lead, to succeed, to rise to the top and make the world a better place.
The challenge is for us to properly channel this "Jewish drive" towards areas which will indeed make the world a better, more sensitive world. Jewish successes toted in Forbes, People or Sports Illustrated might not always be what Abraham envisioned when he accepted responsibility to become a "Light unto the Nations". So while Jewish prominence in the media does make us proud, it can also serve as a reminder to double our efforts and use our ambitious Jewish spirit positively to affect real change in our lives.
PS That is why there is a uniquely Jewish Mitzvah in this week's Torah portion to nourish both the body and soul by eating Kosher food. Check out the attached Parsha video for more insight on this topic!
Shabbat Shalom!!
Rabbi Koval
