Who is the people of Israel for the world?
What do we contribute that does not already exist in the value system of great civilizations?
The answer is: we add the conduit. There is a conduit of the revelation of the Creator of the world to humanity. This conduit passes through us, and we are responsible for nurturing it.
Thus, the people of Israel are recognized within humanity as the conduit for the revelation of God's will — the bearers of prophecy. For this reason, the Jewish people are known for their special role as a "light unto the nations."
The centrality of the people of Israel as conveyors of God's message can be compared to the heart in the organs of the human body. Indeed, as Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi expressed it, Israel among the nations is like the heart among the organs.
We do not possess a sense of arrogant superiority, but rather bear the responsibility of repairing the world. Unlike other traditions that claim a universal role but turn their adherents into imperialists, imposing their identity on others, Judaism does not seek to obliterate the cultural wealth of people. On the contrary, it is content with the role of shining forth rather than dominating.
For this reason, the prophets spoke of an ideal state where, in the future, the nations of the world will receive diverse guidance from the people of Israel, guidance that is suited to each nation, human group, or individual, according to their unique identity.
As the prophet says: "Many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3).
