The Torah portions during the month of June are linked to the issues around immigration.
The Torah portion Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41) is derived from the literal interpretation of how Moses sent out scouts in order to evaluate the Land of Israel to determine if the Israelites indeed would be able to live within it.
The following Torah portion, Korah (Numbers 16:1-18:32), deals with the infighting experienced among the Israelites about the leadership qualities of Moses, and whether it would be too dangerous to enter and endeavor to actually live in Israel.
In truth, the Jewish people has experienced the travails which are derived from living life within a hostile environment, and sought to rectify those travails by moving to a more inviting community.
My grandfather was a yeshivah student who had spent most of his young years learning Talmud. All of that changed when this frail boy was spirited away from family in order to serve in the Czar’s rugged army.
How would a young yeshivah student who never had learned the skills of defending himself through martial arts handle the hardships of a young soldier in the Russian army?
Fortunately, due to the help of a Russian army officer, my grandfather found himself on a ship bound to the United States and to a country and a culture which enabled him to make a living and to become a contributing member of the society in which he lived.
He dedicated himself in an earnest manner not only to his family and people, but to this beloved country which offered so much promise. My grandfather always felt that he was respected in this new land, and was afforded the privileges and benefits which came from those who worked and who devoted themselves to the well being of the United States.
And work he did! He contributed to the well being of this country, just as he had received the dignity of having been given a chance.
Jewish tradition is clear on the treatment of immigrants. Our Torah teaches us to be concerned with the stranger in our midst.
The Torah teaches: “When strangers sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do them wrong. The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19: 33-34).
Our people often felt as though they were strangers in the land in which they did reside. We of all people must be sensitive to those who are strangers in our own land. Do they have not the same needs for food, nourishment, medical treatment as we?
Today more than 11 million undocumented immigrants live within our communities. They often live on the edge of society in that they lack nourishment and medical treatment, and they harbor fear of being deported to the more hostile world from which they came.
Our grandparents and great-grandparents could have lived with that same fear. Our family members often were separated from loved ones, yet worked hard in order to send for them, and that reunion brought together people who worked in order to enhance this country.
It is time we institute reforms in our family-based immigration system, so that the waiting time for separated families would be reduced. We realize that American borders must be protected, but the values of American humanitarianism must also be guarded in this country.
We could advocate that a pathway to citizenship could be attained for law-abiding people who display a sincere interest in working hard to benefit the country which they hope to call home.
We could encourage opportunities that these undocumented immigrants be given jobs which would enable them to contribute to society, support family, pay taxes as they prepare to be contributing members of American society.
We should encourage our representatives in Congress to pass such laws and pave the way for new Americans who will bestow their talents and love upon this country.
After all, those opportunities were afforded to our grandparents and great-grandparents. They raised families, paid taxes, worked hard to succeed and contributed to safe-guarding their family and America.
Should not these rights be offered to this next generation? After all, these people who may be regarded by some people as “strangers in a strange land” may some day become our “good friends in a friendly land.” Now, that outcome may bring us strength, prosperity and peace.
The prophet Isaiah taught: “Peace, peace, to those who are near and to those who are far” (57:19). A more modern interpretation: To those who have moved here from afar — the strength derived from our embrace will create a harmony in our homes and in our land, and a joy by bringing others near.
Rabbi Ronald M. Shapiro is senior rabbi at Congregation Shalom. This article originally appeared in the synagogue’s June bulletin and is reprinted by the author’s permission.
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