If so, you're in good company. Jewish tradition teaches us that God has a special connection to the persecuted, the downtrodden, the ones who are constantly being pursued.
It's a theme that echoes throughout our sacred texts. Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrash on the book of Leviticus, explores this idea in a powerful way. It begins with a quote from Ecclesiastes (3:15): "God seeks the persecuted." But what does that really mean?
Rav Huna, quoting Rav Yosef, offers a profound interpretation: God always seeks the persecuted. It doesn't matter who's doing the persecuting. Whether it's a righteous person persecuting another righteous person, a wicked person persecuting a righteous one, or even a righteous person persecuting a wicked one – in every instance, "God seeks the persecuted." It's a radical notion, isn't it? It suggests that God's compassion extends even to those who might seem undeserving.
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon, in the name of Rabbi Yosei ben Rabbi Nehorai, takes it a step further: The Holy One, blessed be He, always demands the blood of the persecuted from the persecutors. There's a sense of divine justice here, a promise that those who inflict suffering will ultimately be held accountable.
And to illustrate this point, the Midrash provides a series of compelling examples from our history. Think about Abel, persecuted by his brother Cain. Who did God favor? "The Lord turned to Abel and to his offering" (Genesis 4:4).
Or consider Noah, the lone righteous man in a corrupt generation. "As I have seen you to be righteous before Me in this generation" (Genesis 7:1), God says, choosing him to rebuild the world.
The pattern continues. Abraham, persecuted by Nimrod, is chosen by God: "You are the Lord God who chose Abram" (Nehemiah 9:7). Isaac, facing hostility from the Philistines, finds God's blessing: "We have seen that the Lord is with you" (Genesis 26:28). Jacob, tormented by Esau, is still the one God chooses: "For Jacob, the Lord chose him" (Psalms 135:4).
And on and on it goes. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers. Moses, fleeing the wrath of Pharaoh. David, hunted by Saul. Even Saul himself, persecuted by the Philistines – "Have you seen the one whom the Lord has chosen?" (I Samuel 10:24). Each time, God's favor rests with the one who is being pursued.
Finally, the Midrash turns to the ultimate example: the people of Israel, persecuted by the nations throughout history. Yet, "The Lord has chosen you to be His treasured people" (Deuteronomy 14:2).
But what about offerings? What do sacrifices have to do with this? Rabbi Eliezer ben Rabbi Yosei ben Zimra brings in a fascinating insight. God says, essentially, "The bull is pursued by the lion, the goat by the leopard, the sheep by the wolf; do not sacrifice before Me from the pursuers, but rather, from the pursued." God wants offerings from those who are vulnerable, not from those who are powerful and predatory. "A bull, or a sheep, or a goat, when it is born" (Leviticus 22:27)—the most innocent and vulnerable of creatures.
So, what does all this mean for us today? It's a reminder that God sees our struggles. God hears the cries of the oppressed. And God is always on the side of those who are being pursued. Even when it feels like we're all alone, even when we're facing seemingly insurmountable odds, we can take comfort in knowing that we are not forgotten. God seeks the persecuted. It's a powerful promise, and one that continues to resonate through the ages.