BackWho We Are
By: Rabbi Dr. Abraham Unger
What defines us? What we think and feel, or how we act? In secular law, intent plays a large role. It is correlated to action, and to the degree of culpability for any given deed. In Jewish law, intention certainly has weight, but when all is said and done, it’s what we do that determines how we are perceived. A person may do something they realize is not quite right, and think, “That’s not really me,” but in fact, Judaism says that yes, how we behave is really who we are. It is meaningful to reflect, but only for the purpose of changing our actions, not just changing the future course of thought and feelings alone.
In this week’s parsha of Toldot, Rashi makes just that point. The Torah reports that the twins Jacob and Esau grew up, and by the time they reached young adulthood, they were recognizable by their behavior. Jacob went to study, and Esaw went to become a hunter and idol worshiper. Whatever each youth might have felt inside, it was their life paths that determined their conduct in the world, and how history has seen them.
Who are we? What is our path? In classic Rabbinic fashion, Judaism answers those profound questions with a question: “What will you do?” Ultimately, it is action that will repair our world. It is up to each of us to help realize that historic vision.