“Thus the phrase “Israel, is through you that I am proud,” means in the eyes of the other nations. But as the Gemera implies, it is only through their fulfillment of the mitzvos bein adam la’chaveiro (between man and his fellow) that Jews can be boatsful before the gentiles. The gentiles do not scrutinize us to see if we buy high quality tefillin or a beautiful estrog, but rather whether we are truthful in our business dealings. Hence, when the gentiles are immoral and corrupt, it may not require much on our part to be boastful by comparison. However, if the gentiles are themselves ethical and decent people, we must raise our own standards if we are to continue being held up as a paragon of virtue by all the nations of the world. Therefore, it is important that we take notice of any desirable qualities or conduct amongst the gentiles, and take them to heart, since this will likely inspire us to improve our own conduct.
In view of all this, it is incumbent upon us to contemplate and draw the appropriate lessons from a truly troubling phenomenon that we face today. Consider the following: A large city like New York, whose population includes members of almost every nationality on earth – people of different faiths, different views, and even different appearances – has nevertheless managed through its own wisdom to institute order and unity among all its inhabitants, with equal rights for each and every individual, a single school system for all its children, and a single court system that is accepted by all.
Yet we Jews, who have a single Torah that guides us all, are incapable of setting up one Bais Din (religious court) for the entire community and one cheder all the children, are as divided as if we were a nation of seventy nationalities. Even if this were our only sin, there would be no greater chilul Hashem. Therefore, blessed be the lot of the Jew who can help bring about a change for the better in this matter.
“Eyes to See” – Pg 253 to 254 – Rabbi Yom Tov Schwarz