Summary

The three blessings concerning gentiles, slaves and women have often been misunderstood. G'd's purpose in creating the world is comparable to a composer who has written a beautiful piece of music. Many righteous gentiles were excellent "players". They played their "instruments" better than a lot of Jews who say the morning blessings every day. The vast majority of all Jewish men never got even close to the greatness of our matriarchs and other righteous women. The rule, "Who is rich, the one who is satisfied with his lot", applies not just to material wealth, but to everything in life.

Three misunderstood blessings

Two weeks ago we mentioned how we make a blessing every morning where we thank G'd that we are born as Jews and not as gentiles. This blessing is part of a group of three blessings that many people find difficult to accept. In the first two blessings, we thank G'd for not making us gentiles and slaves. In the third blessing, the men thank that they have not been made women, whereas the women thank that G'd has made them according to His will. These blessings have often been misunderstood, as if they are an expression of the self-glorification of the chosen people above the rest of mankind, and of the male chauvinistic attitude to society. However, this is a gross error.

Musicians in an orchestra

Three weeks ago we quoted Rashi (Bereishis 1:1) who teaches in the name of Rabbi Yitzchak that G'd's purpose in creating the world was to establish a forum where it is possible to study and practice the Torah and its commandments. This is comparable to a composer who has written a beautiful piece of music. In order that this piece of music can be listened to and enjoyed to its fullest, an orchestra has to be assembled and a concert hall with the proper acoustics must be found. It is obvious that although every individual musician is important to bring out the beauty of the music, some musicians have major parts, whereas other only have smaller parts. Some instruments are suited to the major parts, and some are perfect for the smaller parts. If one of the musicians who is playing an instrument suited to one of the smaller parts gets excited and wants to play one of the major parts, it will spoil the harmony of the orchestral performance. Each musician is chosen based on their ability to play their particular instrument best suited to their part. No musician is better than another simply because their part is longer or louder, or their musical instrument is larger or smaller. Each musician has a part to play and the orchestral performance is not complete unless all musicians use their particular musical instruments to play their assigned parts.

Not better than righteous gentiles

Rabbi Shimon Schwab points out that when we thank G'd for not making us gentiles, this includes all the righteous gentiles of all generations, such as Noach who the Torah describes as a righteous person (Bereishis 6:9). It would not make any sense to suggest that anyone who recites this blessing has in mind that he is greater or better than Noach, or any of the other great gentiles mentioned in the Torah or otherwise. They were all excellent "players" who played their "instruments" better than many Jews who say this blessing every day. Nevertheless, we thank G'd for not making us gentiles, for as Jews we have the opportunity to play our major parts by fulfilling the many commandments that only pertain to us as the chosen nation.

Not even close to righteous women

The same applies to the blessing men say thanking that they were not made women. This blessing includes not being like the four matriarchs, like Miriam or any of the other great prophetesses, and like Deborah the Judge and leader of the Jewish people. Obviously, the vast majority of all Jewish men never got even close to the greatness of these righteous women. However, the wording of the blessing refers to the men's opportunity to fulfill all the commandments, as opposed to the women who, no matter what greatness they reach, are exempt from fulfilling all time-related, positive commandments, as well as studying Torah just for its own sake. These great women "played" their part to perfection. However, the fact remains that every man has the potential and opportunity to "play" a major part by fulfilling the many commandments that pertain only to men, and by studying the Torah.

Women close to G'd

Rabbi Schwab explains that men need Torah study and all the various commandments to bring them close to G'd. Women, on the other hand, have been blessed with a nature that enables them to be close to G'd without having to study Torah, and perform the many time-related commandments. This is why the women thank G'd for making them from birth according to His will, without needing the intermediaries that men need.

Satisfied with our lot

The Mishnah says in Pirkei Avos (4:1): "Who is rich, the one who is satisfied with his lot." This rule applies not just to material wealth, but to everything in life. Men and women both have major roles in life. The women have the ability to make their home a bastion of faith, and when they are blessed with children, to bring them up with appreciation for Judaism and a love to follow the ways of the Torah. The men have the opportunity to sanctify G'd's name in their business dealings and get involved in Torah study and community affairs. Of course, men have to assist their wives at home, and many women are capable to teach and be involved in the multi-faceted charities that every community needs. However, the key to a happy and productive life is for each of us to be satisfied with our specific lot.

With this attitude, both men and women have ample reason to thank G'd every morning for our lot in life and the opportunities and challenges presented to us. For this enables us to fulfill our purpose in life and play our unique "instrument" to the best of our ability.

These words were based on a talk given by Rabbi Avraham Kahn, the Rosh Yeshiva and Founder of Yeshivas Keser Torah in Toronto.

These words were based on a talk given by Rabbi Avraham Kahn, the Rosh Yeshiva and Founder of Yeshivas Keser Torah in Toronto.

Shalom. Michael Deverett