This week our government in Quebec pushed through a unfortunately divisive piece of legislation, Bill 21, basically taking away the rights of Jewish government employees who want to display their Judaism openly in the workplace.

How do we respond to such a bill?  Although it doesn’t touch most of us in our life and work environment, yet it’s a statement that you can’t fully be a Jew at all times in our province.  It severely impacts on our comfort level as Jews here.  This flies in the face of the message of this week’s portion Behaalotcha where G-d commands Aaron when lighting the menorah, to make sure that the candles stand tall and bright.  This is an eternal lesson to Jews that we do not hide or remain low-key.  Rather, we are to stand proudly, but without arrogance.  Our pride rests in standing up for our sense of peoplehood and what we believe in.

Throughout our history we have lived through difficult and horrifying situations that we would rather forget.  But therein lies the conundrum.  We have been subjected to prejudice, pogroms, libel, attacks, forced exile, persecution, and more.  Our enemies persecuted us with or without laws.  Over the ages, we and our friends have tried to reason a logic out of these abominations.  There was no logic, only the reiteration and insistence of xenophobia and hatred.  Despite the weight of such abuses, we have never given in or acceded to their wish for us to disappear.  Should we remember these tragic times?  Yes, because in our prayers we test ourselves to redouble our efforts to admit and reach out to G-d and to build inner strength in overcoming such trials by expressing our faith.

Looking to the future of anti-Semitism, the answer is not to get more low-key, to take off our kipahs, and hide our identity.  On the contrary, our key to survival and pride is to follow our ways knowing that this is the way a Jew has lived for over 3300 years and must continue to live.  We do this knowing that based on history, we will outlive any government that tries to take away our rights or anyone’s rights.

That’s why we are acknowledging this as a special Shabbat which we are celebrating outdoors under the stars.  Especially now, we link our celebration with the eternality of the light in the heavens and the light we bring to the world.  Let us carry our Judaism without shame or seclusion, but with pride.  Let’s continue to benefit society by following an honorable way of life while continuing to contribute to a better society, civilization, academia, learning, quality of life, and respect for all people and things. 

Above all let us continue to demonstrate a strong faith in life, a kinship with each other, and an understanding of how our Torah will help us fulfil our life’s mission and purpose for a better world. 

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Moshe Krasnanski