There is a biblical mandate to treat all people with equal respect. “Do nothing out of selfishness or conceit, but with humility consider others as more important than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3) But is this how most of us conduct ourselves? The truth is we often observe how people are dressed, how they speak, where they live, what they drive and the type of work they do and allow this to determine how we regard them. In our culture, like so many, society assigns a social standing that changes how a person is treated. Not surprisingly their gender, race and even their looks can alter public perception.
We designate titles, Doctor, Professor, General, Reverend, and yes even Rabbi. Though these titles may be well earned and worthy of respect, they should not supersede the prestige or dignity of others. Neither should these be free passes in life. “Do nothing out of selfishness or conceit, but with humility consider others as more important than yourselves, looking out not only for your own interests but also for the interests of others.” (Phil.2:3-4)
Culture enforces a rigorous hierarchy of authority, but God shakes the foundations of those structures. In today’s parasha Eretz Yisrael, which the twelve tribes are about to enter, is praised:
The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. (Deuteronomy 11:10-12)
We are reminded that God does not consider it below His stature to serve the good of His beloved creation. Shouldn’t we then follow his example? Do we esteem those who work and serve as less important? How do you speak to a waiter, a barista, a custodian, a housekeeper, or a childcare worker? Worse yet the customer service person on the other end of the phone when we are utterly annoyed. Judaism does not condone rude or even patronizing behavior, nor the insistent expectation that service is a lowly state and condition of some. If God can serve so can we with gladness and fulfillment.
Our Midrashic tradition records that Rabbis Eliezer, Joshua and Zadok were reclining at a banquet for Rabban Gamaliel’s son at the occasion of his wedding. Rabban Gamaliel, the great Nasi of the Sanhedrin was standing over them and serving them drink. When he offered a cup to R. Eliezer, he would not accept it; but when he offered it to R. Joshua, he did. R. Eliezer said to him, “What is this, Joshua: we are sitting, while Rabban Gamaliel is standing over us and serving us drink!” Rabbi Joshua’s response is surprising and counterintuitive.
“We find that even a greater than he served. Abraham was the greatest man of his generation, yet it is written of him, “And he stood over them” (Genesis 18:8). And should you say that they appeared to him as Ministering Angels — they appeared to him only as Arabs. Then for us, should R. Gamaliel not stand over us and offer drink!
Rabbi Zadok goes even further,
“How long will you disregard the honor of God and occupy yourselves with the honor of men! The Holy One, blessed be He, causes the winds to blow, he raises the clouds, he brings down rain, and he causes the earth to blossom, and sets a table before each and every person. Then for us, should R. Gamaliel not stand over us and offer drink! (Kedushin 32b:4-6)
The besorot record an account with a similar theme. . Yeshua’s talmidim argued among themselves which one would be considered the greatest. Yeshua offered the following correction,
“The kings of the nations have mastery over them, and those exercising authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But with you, it is not so. Rather, let the one who is greatest among you become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who reclines or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27)
In this instance it is not the presiding Rabbi of the Sanhedrin, rather it is Israel’s greatest son, the incarnate personage of the Holy Blessing One who chooses to serve his disciples, and all of Israel, and all of humanity. So the ultimate exemplar of meticulous care is God, who causes the rain to fall and the wind to blow, and is willing to bear the suffering and pain of this world to demonstrate love and support.
Perhaps it is only the foolish who fear that heir status is at risk by reaching out and serving others, our tradition and our faith teaches us otherwise. There are no machers in the kingdom, only humble servers.