I remember when I first started wearing a kipa/yarmulke. I had started getting more into Judaism before that, but still it was a big step. When I decided to stop eating pork, that was a mitzvah between me and G-d. It could be that no one else would even know. But wearing religious apparel was a mitzvah that everyone would see.
And it’s not just that that mitzvah was a big deal in and of itself, but it changed how I did everything else in my life. If I cut in line at a store before, the other customers would think ‘what’s that guy’s problem?’ But if I cut in line with a kipa on, they would think ‘what’s that Jew’s problem?’
Every action I made took on heightened significance and impact on the world. I was transformed from an anonymous unconnected random person into a walking billboard for G-d. I represented something greater than myself now. If I smiled pleasantly at someone, I would sanctify G-d’s Name in the world. If I scowled, I could create a negative perception about a whole people.
The result was that I became a better person. There was just too much on the line to do otherwise.
The medrash teaches that the Jews were saved from Egypt in the merit of keeping their Jewish names, language, and clothing. Those seem like small things. Unimportant externalities. Why would they be saved just because of that?
But they are not small things. They showed that the Israelites still saw themselves as the people of G-d. And moreover, that they were proud to represent themselves as such.
Because wearing clearly Jewish garb is so much more than just a stylistic choice. It is a reminder, to everyone around you, and perhaps more importantly, to yourself, of who you should be.
Of who you can be.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi A and the JET Team
Great article! Yes, you do represent the Jewish religion and are held to a higher standard. All of us should choose the right since all actions are remembered by someone (especially yourself).
Sending much love to my favorite Rabbi….