The Ramban Rewind: The Pro-Israel Campaign Nobody’s Talking About

Imagine a world where all the nations would glorify the Jewish people. A world where even the fiercest enemies of the Jews would sing their praises. A world where “Jewishness” is synonymous with “Godliness,” so much so that no one would dare lift a hand against a single member of Am Yisrael.  Sound too good to be true?

This isn’t some fantasy. According to the Ramban, this is exactly the vision Moshe Rabenu conveyed to the Jewish people before they entered the Holy Land.

In the 2nd Aliyah of Parshat Vaetchanan, Moshe passionately and proudly emphasizes the importance of not only learning Torah, but also serving Hashem through its mitzvot.

"See, I have taught you statutes and laws, as Hashem my God commanded me, to do so in the land you are coming to possess. You shall safeguard and perform them, for it is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations, who will hear all these laws and say: Surely this a great nation, a wise and understanding people."

In this, the Ramban finds a very indirect approach towards stopping Jew Hatred and a peaceful existence among Jews and non-Jews.

He explains that beyond the direct spiritual benefits of doing God's will and drawing close to Him, there’s an indirect effect: the impact it has on the surrounding nations.

Not some kind of bonus reward for doing the “right thing,” but as a natural outcome of the Torah’s true essence unfolding in world history.

When non-Jews witness the Jewish nation genuinely observing the divine statutes, the holiness, otherworldly wisdom, and depth embedded in the Torah become unmistakably clear. The effect is so powerful, they are left with no choice but to praise, admire, and stand in awe of the Jewish people.

Moses wasn’t exaggerating when he said earlier that those who “attach” themselves are the ones who truly live. He meant it: the power of the Jewish nation must be rooted in what defines us, our Torah and its practice.

Where else can a Jew turn to be authentically Jewish? You can eat all the bagels and lox for breakfast, or Gondi on Shabbat, but history and research show that communities that don’t proudly embrace Torah values see their Jewish identity sadly weaken.

Pro-Israel advocates past and present have poured hundreds of millions into promoting Israel’s cultural, technological, and scientific achievements to build goodwill. The defense establishment has spent billions to neutralize threats and showcase Israel’s strength. Pundits and think tanks constantly debate the next best “hasbara” strategy for improving Israel’s image.

On the other end of the religious spectrum, the last century has seen a surge in mitzvah campaigns. Hundreds of thousands of pairs of tefillin have been distributed, thousands of Daf Yomi shiurim launched, hundreds of mikvehs built, and Kollels established in nearly every major city. There’s no question: among practicing Jews, Jewish identity has never been stronger.

It’s obviously not my place to judge the effectiveness of these efforts, and of course, they all have their unique benefits in the framework of a Torah based society, and they are all wonderful in their own right.

Still, when we see the flood of antisemitic posts online and the rise in physical attacks against Jews worldwide, a pressing question emerges: When will our eyes see the promise of global recognition for the beauty of the Jewish People, it’s Torah and connection to Holiness? What other weapon do we truly have to reveal our nation’s glory? From a logical standpoint, there seems to be no end in sight.

Yes, we may have achieved military dominance in the region, top legal minds fighting antisemitism on campuses, and strong governmental support protecting our institutions. But the sad truth remains: without these defenses, there would be no shortage of people seeking our destruction and downfall.

What else can a theoretical Israel-Advocating, IDF-Supporting, Jewish News watching, Teflin Wearing, Daf-Yomi attending Jew do? Are the hearts and minds of haters ever going to change?

To that, the Ramban offers a possible answer: Reb Yid, look in the mirror. You carry the potential to be the greatest Kiddush Hashem!

I'm reminded of a well-known story about Molah Ohr Sharga, the revered kabbalist who lived in the Persian city of Yazd during the time of the Baal Shem Tov. His eyesight was so poor that he couldn’t distinguish between the coins in his wallet. When shopping in the shuk, he would hand his entire money pouch to the storekeeper to take the payment.

Not once did a non-Jewish shopkeeper take advantage of the vulnerable situation and take more than what was owed. This was not out of fear of guards, lawyers, or government oversight, but simply out of awe and reverence for the holiness that radiated from the Holy Jew that was attached to Godliness.

Perhaps, instead of being concerned with the hearts and minds of the non-Jews, we should

be concerned with our own hearts and minds. Perhaps the last “frontier” of this war is not one that can be fully won through campaigns purchased with physical things like money or time, however powerful those efforts are.

Moshe demanded a spiritual devekut: a complete attachment to Godliness and holiness. Not just through external actions, but with an inner glue rooted in the joy and happiness that comes love, and the respect and humility that comes with awe. A love and awe that is attached to every endeavor we take, religious or secular.

The world is waiting for us to awaken and reveal the dormant holiness of the Torah, in its fullest expression, for all to admire. On every news site, across every social media platform, and around every coffee shop table, the conversation shifts:

“Did you have any idea how special those Jews really are? Their Bible must have so much to offer afterall?”

For those that identify as religious Jews, we all know that true Torah living is meant to radiate holiness, wisdom, and influence far beyond ourselves. If that presence is not generally felt by our non-Jewish co-workers or neighbors and fellow citizens, something might be missing. If being “jew’d” remains a derogatory term in our circles, something is way off.

And perhaps the skeptic will say “give me a break!” There’s no way my personal Torah observance can bring about such dramatic change. Jew-haters will always be Jew-haters. It would take a miracle to change them.

To that I’d respond: what part of our illustrious history hasn't depended on miracles?

R’ Eman Chayim, a Los Angeles native and UC Irvine graduate in Mechanical Engineering and Business Management, is professionally active in manufacturing and fintech startup investing. He also serves as a Chatan teacher, and shares insights as a writer and speaker on a variety of Jewish topics.