Several times during the Ten Plagues, the verse points out that the Jews were unaffected by the plagues afflicting their neighbors. Such as during the plague of darkness it says “all the Jews had light in their dwellings” and Moshe told Pharaoh at various times during the plagues that the plague will distinguish between Jew and Egyptian. Goshen was the area in Egypt where the Jews settled, and the plagues highlighted Jewish difference.
Here are two thoughts on how this “Goshen Difference” can be most relevant to us in America today:
1) I’m not suggesting that modern day America is anything like Egypt! On the contrary, throughout the long Jewish diaspora no other nation has been as hospitable and welcoming to Jews as the United States, which the Lubavitcher Rebbe called “a nation of kindness” with opportunities available to all, like never before in our long history as a people. G-d bless America!
But despite all of our wonderful opportunities and experiences here, there’s still a message to be learned about Jews remaining distinctive and different. Assimilation is our worst enemy and threatens our people’s future like no Haman or Hitler ever did. (Yes, that is a bold statement, but think about it). Yes, there is so much to be enjoyed and appreciated and valued in this country, but we can do so much of that without diminishing our identity, but it’s important to not lose who we are while trying to fit in.
Indeed, even American perspective has shifted the ideal from the melting pot to a salad bowl, the former melts everything down to an indistinguishable mass, the latter creates a tasty mix of every group and ethnicity’s individual flavors to benefit the greater whole.
Back to Egypt – the Goshen (where the Jews lived) difference was important. As much as we do to fit in, we must expend effort to ensure that we maintain our own identity, so we don’t get lost as a people.
2) There’s an old Chassidic life-rich insight to this verse. When life is smooth and you go with the flow, you don’t really see people’s distinctiveness. It’s when the plague strikes and there’s a great challenge, that’s when you see what makes people stand out, it brings out the deepest in people.
We hope life is smooth for all. It’s much easier and more pleasant that way. But should it get bumpy, should you face a challenge, know that it is an opportunity to shine, to bring out your best and to be different, to be extraordinary.