This week I spent a few days on safari in Africa. As one who was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in South Africa, most of my childhood vacations were centered around animals and I wanted my children to share my love for that experience.
We were able to get up close and personal with the lions, patting and interacting with them. I had to ask the guard multiple times if it was safe and he reassured me again and again that it was. But I was still scared, especially when I noticed we had to sign waivers taking responsibility for ourselves in case anything happened.
What convinced me to go ahead and enter the den was the size of our group. With 10 people and two lions, I figured that although I obviously couldn’t outrun the lions, I could probably outrun the other people!
In the middle, our guide quipped, “Ok, who wants to run to the gate?” and explained that when interacting with lions (and most other wild animals), it is paramount that you show absolutely no fear. Running would be a terrible mistake. Lions are predators, and as soon as they sense your fear they will rip you to pieces.
We were given the same warning when we interacted with the baboons and elephants. Hide your fear. Temper your tone of voice, your gaze, and the way you stand. These animals are stronger and faster than we are. But if you are confident, you will be fine.
It made me think of the Purim megillah, which we’ll be reading this Monday night and Tuesday. The Jews had a formidable and ruthless enemy. Haman. How did Mordechai react? He refused to bow down. He stood confidently as a Jew and inspired the rest of the nation to do the same. We cannot show fear to our anti-Semitic opponents.
The Code of Jewish Law tells us the same thing: Wake up every morning like a lion to serve G-d. Go and pray and put on tefillin and study Torah. Don’t give in to your evil inclination. Be strong. Be proud. Be recognizable.
Wherever we go, it should be recognizable that we are Jewish. Every person who comes into contact with you should know that you are honest and kind. In fact, the Talmud tells us that the first question we are asked upon our arrival in the Heavenly court is “Were you honest in business?”
Don’t be embarrassed to put on tefillin in public or make known that you only eat kosher food. Don’t be afraid to close your business for Shabbat and holidays. Hashem will provide. You will be surprised how understanding your partners and co-workers will be.
It’s imperative that we stand confident and proud in our Jewish identity and observance. That is the strongest safety net we can build.