by Ram ben Ze'ev
In the modern world, it is common to hear that G-D is on the side of a certain country, family, or community. Politicians, so-called 'religious leaders', and public figures often invoke G-D's name to justify actions, align themselves with righteousness, or claim moral superiority.
Whether it’s any of the nations or even Israel, people are often quick to assume that G-D favours their cause or supports their agenda. However, this perspective misses the deeper point: G-D is not bound to the side of any person, community, or country.
Rather, we are called to be on G-D's side.
The assumption that G-D aligns Himself with the interests of any particular nation or group reflects a misunderstanding of the divine. G-D is infinite, transcendent, and beyond human partisanship. His will transcends borders, politics, and allegiances. In the Torah, we are reminded that G-D is the Creator of all humanity, Jews and non-Jews alike. His justice and wisdom encompass all creation. G-D's favour cannot be claimed based on nationality, power, or wealth. The idea that G-D would favour one nation or community over another because of worldly advantages is a limited, human projection.
When the Israelites were freed from Egypt and wandered in the wilderness, G-D didn’t guide them because they were inherently better than others, but because they had been chosen for a divine mission: to become a light unto the other nations, to uphold His commandments, and to live in accordance with His will. The relationship with G-D comes with responsibilities and a higher standard of moral behaviour. It’s not about G-D choosing sides, but about us choosing to live on the side of divine justice, compassion, and righteousness.
The true spiritual challenge is not to ask whether G-D is on our side, but to ask whether we are on G-D's side. This means aligning our actions, values, and priorities with the mitzvot (מצוות) and the ethical teachings laid out in the Torah. G-D commands us to pursue justice, to give generously, and to treat one another with dignity and respect. This is not a conditional command based on personal interests or the idea of divine favouritism—it is a universal call to live in harmony with G-D's values.
The Torah provides us with mitzvot that are designed to bring us closer to G-D and to elevate our interactions with others. One of the central themes of the Torah is the imperative to care for the vulnerable and to foster a just and compassionate society. We are commanded to give tzedakah (צדקה) freely, without selfish considerations, and to help those in need. This act of giving is not a way to curry favour with G-D but rather a reflection of G-D's infinite generosity and love for all His creations. By giving tzedakah, we align ourselves with G-D's attribute of chesed (חסד).
The mitzvot guide us to transcend selfish desires and narrow interests, teaching us to care for others as G-D cares for us. The commandment to love your fellow (Israelite) as yourself is not merely a suggestion, but a directive to build a society based on mutual responsibility and concern. To live in accordance with G-D’s will means to constantly strive to elevate our actions to reflect the divine qualities of justice, kindness, and humility.
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We often hear that G-D is on the side of certain nations or groups, particularly when it comes to conflicts or national ambitions. But when we reflect on the message of the Torah, we realise that this framing is flawed. G-D's concern is not limited to any one nation; His justice and compassion extend to all people, regardless of their background. The prophets remind us that G-D’s desire is for righteousness to flow like a mighty stream, for justice to prevail throughout the earth, not just in one corner of it.
This does not diminish the special relationship between G-D and us, the Jewish people, but it frames that relationship within a broader, universal context. We were chosen to bring G-D's light into the world, to uphold His commandments, and to serve as an example of ethical and moral behaviour. But this chosenness is not about superiority—it’s about responsibility. It’s a call to live in a way that reflects G-D’s holiness, to be a partner in His mission to perfect the world.
Being on G-D’s side is ultimately about how we treat one another. The Torah commands us not only to care for our fellow Jews but also to show kindness and fairness to the “stranger”, the non-Jews, among us. G-D’s commandments challenge us to move beyond tribalism and to see the divine image in every human being. By caring for one another, by giving tzedakah, by performing acts of chesed, and by working to create a just society, we align ourselves with G-D’s side.
We are not called to ask whether G-D is on our side. We are called to examine whether we are on His side—whether we are living up to the high ethical standards He has set for us. This is a challenge for individuals, families, communities, and nations alike.
The world is rife with divisions—between nations, communities, and even within families. In such a world, it’s tempting to claim that G-D is on our side, that our cause is divinely sanctioned. But the message of the Torah teaches us a different lesson: G-D is not bound by human loyalties or interests. We must choose to be on G-D’s side, by aligning our actions with His commandments, giving freely without concern for ourselves, and caring for one another with compassion and justice.
By living according to these values, we fulfil the mission that G-D has given us: to be His partners in creating a world that reflects His wisdom, love, and righteousness. This is not about G-D taking sides—it’s about us choosing to live on the side of divine truth.
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Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited, SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue