When Hashem offered the תורה to us, כלל ישראל, He Said:
והייתם לי סגולה מכל העמים
I will choose you as My treasured nation
ואתם תהיו לי ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש
And you will fullfil the role of כהנים to the entire world, by spreading the word of Hashem amongst all the nations.
If this indeed was the role given to us at מתן תורה, why then don’t we, כלל ישראל, actively engage in spreading Hashem’s name across the world?
The ספורנו explains, that this indeed was the original intention. At מתן תורה, we reached a state of perfection, similiar to that of אדם הראשון קודם החטא. Had we remained at that level of perfection, we would have been tasked with spreading that greatness amongst the entire world. Unfortunately, כלל ישראל stumbled by the חטא העגל, and a result of that great spiritual fall, the mission of כלל ישראל also changed. We now must focus inwards, trying to bring ourselves up, with the goal of reclaiming our greatness.
Only in אחרית הימים, when the world will reach its תיקון, will we once again be tasked with the mission of being a ממלכת כהנים and teaching the entire world. As is stated in the נביא regarding that future period:
והלכו גוים לאורך
All the nations of the world will march to the light of כלל ישראל. Nonetheless, while the role of ממלכת כהנים was delayed, the concept of כלל ישראל being Hashem’s עם סגולה still remains. We still are Hashem’s chosen people, and He still prides Himself in us. It is our mission to keep the תורה ומצוות as told to us by Hashem at הר סיני. And the better we fulfill that role, the bigger our influence will be on the entire world. Not by directly teaching them, but rather by serving as ambassadors and role models to all society on how man should live his life, in an ethical and moral way.
דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום
By living life as prescribed by the תורה we become elevated and the entire world looks up to us for inspiration and moral clarity. In that capacity, we are directly shaping the destiny of all creation, bringing the world closer to the great day of
והיה ה’ למלך על כל הארץ ביום ההוא יהיה ה’ אחד ושמו אחד
We’ll conclude with a story that highlights this point: In 2021, Rabbi Shimon Wahnish, at the time a Rav in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was asked to meet with a rising star in Argentinian politics; Javier Milie. Greatly impressed with the Rabbi and with Torah teachings, Mr. Milei began attending Torah classes with Rabbi Wahnish, as well as joining his family for Shabbos and Yomtov meals. A very strong bond developed between the two men, and Mr. Milei would refer to the Rabbi as his guide and spiritual mentor, learning and implementing Torah ideals into his life and political work.
In November 2023, Javier Milie was elected president of Argentina, with Rabbi Wahnish remaining at his side, providing him with guidance and encouragement. And in April 2024, Rabbi Wahnish was appointed by Milie as Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, where he is responsible for maintaining improved relationships between the two countries, building on his credentials as Rabbi and spiritual mentor to the president.
The truth of the Torah can, and בעז”ה will, light up the entire world.
Weekly Parsha Shiur 