The other day I needed to have some paperwork notarized so I went to my local TD bank. After waiting in line and preparing all the documents, I was asked for my photo ID, only to realize that I’d left it in my office.
“Can you do it without my ID just this once?” I asked. After all, this woman knows me; she’s helped me countless times. “Can you rely on facial recognition just this once?” I begged.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. “I don’t recognize you,” she said. “You must bring photo ID.”
So I was forced to go back to my office, get my ID and return to the bank to finish notarizing the documents.
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In this week’s Torah portion Yaakov is reunited with his brother Eisav after 20 years apart.
After deceiving their father and taking the blessing intended for his brother Eisav, Yaakov fled to avoid his brother’s wrath, where he lived with his uncle Lavan and met and married his wives, Rochel and Leah. Now, 20 years later, Yaakov returns to his hometown and Eisav comes out to greet him.
In the distance, Eisav sees his brother approaching, apparently now a fabulously wealthy man with sheep and goats and cattle and wives and children. He is equivalent to today’s successful multi-millionaire businessman—the guy who made it on Wall street, owns a beautiful 5th Avenue penthouse and a home in the Hamptons.
Eisav thinks he finally sees his brother Yaakov for who he is. Finally, he recognizes him!
So Yaakov tells Eisav, “You have not even begun to recognize me or understand who I am.” He tells his brother, “Im Lavan garti,” I lived with Lavan. The word “garti” means lived, but it can also mean “gerut,” foreign. Yaakov was essentially telling Eisav, “All this wealth you see before you, that’s not who I really am. I am, first and foremost, a Jew who is dedicated to G-d and spirituality. All this wealth is secondary. My home on 5th avenue? My private plane, my yacht and my summer home? Yes, I am wealthy, but my wealth doesn’t define me. I use it to serve G-d and I give 10% to charity.”
We also need to be able to say “Im Lavan garti,” my wealth does not define me.
Just as the bank teller needs proof of identity, we need spiritual proof of identity. You’re living in Manhattan, enjoying a luxurious life? Great! But is that who you are? Absolutely not! First and foremost, we are Jews, devoted to Torah and mitzvot.
Don’t let others identify you by your penthouse, your car or your watch. Create your spiritual photo ID card: Learn some Torah, light Shabbat candles, put in tefillin, give charity, do a mitzvah.
Make it clear to yourself and those around you that you are, first and foremost, a committed Jew