What if someone just made up the Torah? What if they presented it to the world and said, "Here, this is how to live," and people just… believed them?
That's the thought experiment Josephus, the first-century Romano-Jewish historian, poses in his work Against Apion. He argues that even if the Jewish people weren't so well-known, even if our commitment to the mitzvot (commandments) wasn't so obvious, the sheer wisdom and endurance of our laws would still command respect.
Think about it. Philosophers and lawmakers throughout history have tried to create the ideal society. Plato, for example, while revered for his wisdom, is often ridiculed for his political theories. And even he admitted it wasn't safe to share the true nature of God with everyone!
But what about Lycurgus, the legendary lawgiver of Sparta? The Greeks admired Sparta for its long-standing adherence to his laws. But Josephus points out something crucial: it's a mark of virtue to submit to laws. This idea was also echoed by Cicero, who famously declared he preferred the "little book of the Twelve Tables" to all the volumes of the philosophers, finding it more useful and weighty.
So, how does Sparta's endurance compare to that of the Jewish people?
The Spartans maintained their laws while they were free, but when their fortunes changed, they abandoned them. We, on the other hand, have endured "ten thousand changes" under various rulers, yet we've never betrayed our laws. Not out of laziness, not for survival, not for anything. We’ve maintained our Shabbat, the holy day of rest, and adhered to our dietary laws, even in the face of immense hardship.
Josephus emphasizes the contrast, arguing that our burdens have been far greater than those borne by the Spartans. They lived in comfort, relying on others for their needs, training their bodies for war. We, however, have faced constant challenges, yet we've remained steadfast.
And let's not forget, the Spartans weren't always successful in following their own laws. Many of them, not just individuals but entire groups, surrendered to their enemies, abandoning their principles.
The point Josephus is making is powerful. It's not just about having good laws. It's about the unwavering commitment to those laws, even in the face of adversity. It's about the enduring spirit of a people who have chosen to live by a higher code, generation after generation.
What does it mean to inherit a tradition that has survived so much? What responsibility comes with being part of a story that stretches back thousands of years, a story defined by both immense suffering and unwavering faith? Perhaps it's a call to appreciate the strength and resilience of our ancestors, and to continue to carry the torch of our traditions, even when the world around us changes.