The Rabbi and the Gang Leader
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What does it mean to be a “light unto the nations”? Explore the Jewish people’s mission and their responsibility to both humanity and one another.
The Jewish people are described in the Torah with many honorifics: “The Chosen People, 1” “My child, my firstborn, Israel, 2” and “a light unto the nations. 3” But what do these titles mean? Why are they given to the Jewish people and what role do Jews play in the world as a result? Are these accolades earned, or do they come simply by virtue of being born Jewish?
To understand the Jewish mission, we first need to recognize a core idea in Judaism: all of humanity is spiritually significant4, and every person has the potential for a lasting connection with God5. As the Midrash states, “Call upon heaven and earth to testify that the holiness of divine inspiration rests on all. Whether man or woman, Jew or Gentile, servant or maid, everything is according to their actions. 6” In other words, a person’s worth is not based on their heritage, but on their moral choices. Every human being—even a non-Jewish servant—has the opportunity to connect with the Divine.
Judaism views all of humanity as spiritually significant; every person has the potential for a lasting connection with God.
If that's the case, what is the unique role of the Jewish people in the larger story of humanity? And how does this shape their relationship with others?
Once we understand the Jewish people’s responsibility toward other nations, we can ask: what is a Jew’s responsibility toward fellow Jews? And how do these internal and external missions align?
The Torah refers to the Jewish people as God's “firstborn child.” Since God chose the Jewish people thousands of years after humanity began, this clearly isn't meant literally. Just as the birth of a first child turns a couple into parents, the Jewish people were meant to help humanity recognize God as its Creator—or, metaphorically, its Parent7 . Being the “firstborn child” implies not privilege, but responsibility.
The Talmud points out that Jews have been dispersed across the world throughout history. This was not accidental. According to Jewish tradition, this global dispersion was orchestrated by God so that Jews could spread the values of monotheism and morality8. Judaism doesn’t encourage conversion9, so this isn't about proselytizing. Rather, when Jews live according to their values, they become spiritual role models. Their example can inspire others to build their own moral and just societies.
In this way, the Jewish people can become a “light unto the nations.” They transmit to the world the enlightenment they received at Sinai10—not by preaching, but by living. This is a great responsibility, not merely an honor. It demands that Jews be mindful of how they treat others and how they are perceived. They must strive to be seen as wise, ethical, and principled,11 and moral to a fault.12
When the Jewish people live according to their teachings, they can uplift all of humanity—and help it fulfill its highest potential.
As one Jewish thinker put it: “Be fair in action, truthful in speech, bear love in your heart for your non-Jewish brethren as the Torah teaches you… In short, display the entire noble breadth of your Judaism. 13” This attitude should define how Jews relate to broader society.
Any non-Jew who lives a moral life deserves respect. Anyone working to make the world safer, healthier, and kinder is worthy of admiration14. When the Jewish people live according to their teachings, they can uplift all of humanity—and help it fulfill its highest potential.
How, then, can the Jewish people ensure they are fulfilling this leadership role? And what can one Jew do to help others rise to the task?
The foundation of all relationships among Jews must be love. The Torah teaches, “Love your neighbor like you love yourself. I am God.” 15 The great sage Rabbi Akiva called this “the great principle of the Torah.” 16
With action-oriented commandments like eating matzah on Passover, it’s clear when the obligation is fulfilled. But love is different—it's an emotion. How does one know when they’ve truly loved someone else? And what if the feeling simply isn’t there? Can one generate love deliberately?
The answer lies in the end of that same verse: “Love your neighbor…I am God.” This juxtaposition points to a deep connection between how we relate to God and how we relate to others—and offers insight into the nature of love itself.
Real love means valuing the essence of another person.
There’s a common misconception that love is based on what someone does for us—offering companionship, advice, or support. But that isn’t love of the other person; it’s love of the benefit they provide. As the saying goes, if someone says, “I love fish,” yet cooks and eats it, is that truly love for the fish? Of course not. Why was it killed and consumed?
Real love means valuing the essence of another person. This begins with finding something in them to genuinely admire. Even when people are very different, looking for shared values, perspectives, or virtues can create a sense of respect—and eventually love.
For instance, if two people both hold kindness as a central value, they may come to admire how each lives out that value in their own way. That shared admiration fosters genuine love.
This explains the Torah’s connection between loving people and loving God. Humans have no physical resemblance to God and don’t interact with God in the same way they do with people. Yet the Torah says, “Love the Lord your God. 17” This shows that love, in Judaism, is about shared essence and values, not shared vacations or mutual favors which are an impossibility with God.
God is seen as good and benevolent—qualities that people can also cultivate. Loving God means aligning ourselves with these divine traits. And loving others means respecting and cherishing these same qualities in them. 18
This is a meaningful framework when the other person is admirable. But what about when someone seems deeply flawed, or even offensive? The Torah doesn’t qualify its command; “Love your neighbor” applies regardless.
How can we love someone when all we feel is frustration or dislike?
Two insights can help with this challenge:
Throughout history, Jews have lived in every major culture—European, African, Middle Eastern, Eastern. Each community brought with it unique customs and values. In modern Israel, we see the rich diversity of global Jewish identity24. When Jews of every background express their individuality through Judaism—and are embraced by the larger community—they help the Jewish people as a whole realize their full potential.
A true Jewish community values every individual, regardless of their level of observance. The Talmud says, “Any fast day (a time for communal self-improvement) that doesn’t include the sinners of the community is not a fast day. 25” A community that excludes people—rather than encouraging growth and inclusion—is failing in its basic mission26.
Creating a strong, inclusive Jewish community is essential. It’s not just a communal goal—it’s a personal responsibility. At the end of his life, Moses brought the people together to renew the covenant made at Sinai. He said, “Hidden things pertain to God, but that which is revealed applies to us and our children forever. 27” The Talmud28 explains that “hidden” refers to private thoughts and actions—things only God can judge. But public behavior is the responsibility of the community—especially when others could help but choose not to.
No one can claim to have fulfilled their own mission while neglecting their role in helping others.
In Judaism, spiritual growth is not an individual pursuit alone. If someone around you is struggling, and you ignore it, that reflects a communal failure. And no one can claim to have fulfilled their own mission while neglecting their role in helping others. 29
When we understand that each Jew’s success is tied to the success of the whole, feelings of superiority or judgment fade. We begin to see others’ challenges not as reasons for disdain, but as opportunities for connection and growth.
One of the core responsibilities of the Jewish people is to be spiritual role models for the world. The most powerful way to demonstrate the value of a connection to God and Torah is through building a vibrant, inclusive, and ethical Jewish community.
When Jews treat one another with patience, tolerance, and love, they reach their greatest potential as a people. And when they achieve that internal harmony, they fulfill their destiny to be a “Light unto the Nations”—not through preaching, but by showing how uplifting and beautiful communal life can be.
The State of Israel stands as the most visible expression of Jewish identity to the non-Jewish world. If Israeli society can model unity, tolerance, and mutual respect, it can truly become a beacon of light. This vision isn’t just about politics or culture—it’s a sacred responsibility.
If Israeli society can embody this harmony, then the outsized media attention it receives can become an opportunity to showcase what an ideal Jewish society looks like—one that fosters tolerance, inclusion, and human dignity.
This mission rests on every Jew, across all religious and political spectrums.
May we all merit to fulfill our Jewish responsibilities to the best of our abilities.
Wonderful am passing this on to our Rabbi in Utah where we used to live before moving here. Thank you
Wonderful positive article, thank you so much!