How did Israel do it?
The secret behind Israel’s extraordinary triumph over COVID-19 is not just modern medicine. It is found in one of the most ancient values of the Jewish people: arevut (“intermixing”). This principle states that for a society to function, we must see ourselves as intermingled or linked to those around us. The more responsibly we act toward our fellow citizens, the stronger the social web becomes, and the more all benefit.
Obligation to the Whole
The concept of arevut goes back to the Bible. As the children of Israel slowly advanced through the wilderness, three of the twelve tribes made the difficult decision to settle outside of the Promised Land. Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh decided the territory east of the Jordan was better suited for grazing land. While this may seem selfish, the three tribes were hardly abandoning their brethren.
Understanding Biblical Context Better
Although these tribes had no intention of settling in Canaan, they assured their brethren: “we will arm ourselves for battle and… we will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance” (Num. 32:17-18). Just like Israel did to overcome the pandemic, the tribes made a vow of loyalty unto their homeland and each other. Enroll in our online Biblical Hebrew course where your Israeli teacher will demonstrate the true meaning of arevut.