We Are the 0.2%

Ps. 117:1-2

With only two verses, Psalm 117 is not only the shortest psalm - it’s also the shortest of the chapters in the Hebrew Bible. And sure enough it’s about the Jewish nation - a mere 0.2% of the global population has a outsized role to play in the world, or at least that’s how Jewish people have been thinking about it — since at least biblical days. 

There are 15.7 million Jewish people in the world today, and scholars assume that there were even fewer back when whoever wrote these psalms reflected on what it means to be a member of this tribe - in the future. 

Psalm 117, for all its brevity, contains a mighty vision: Yes the Jews are tiny but one day, when the world is ready, every nation will be united in faith around one God and one vision — and will have us to thank. 

Hubris aside, and especially during these tragic days of discord and violence, war and hatred when Jews are not the most popular on the planet — what is this vision really all about?  Is it about the Jewish notion of being superior - or is actually a call towards common celebration of our human worth? 

Here’s the complete chapter: 

הַֽלְל֣וּ אֶת־יְ֭הֹוָה כׇּל־גּוֹיִ֑ם שַׁ֝בְּח֗וּהוּ כׇּל־הָאֻמִּֽים׃

Praise YHWH all you nations;

extol God - all people,

כִּ֥י גָ֘בַ֤ר עָלֵ֨ינוּ  חַסְדּ֗וֹ וֶאֱמֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה לְעוֹלָ֗ם הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃

for great is God’s steadfast love toward us;

YHWH’s faithfulness endures forever.

Hallelujah.

Ps. 117:1-2

Who’s the ‘us’ in the second verse  referring to? Most interpretations assume that is the Jewish people - claiming that the collective coming together of all nations is because God loves us so. But what if this ‘us’ refers to all people - all of us loved by an endless love regardless of race, religion or any other reason? 

The smallest of chapters also contains the claims of one of the smallest surviving tribes on the planet - and the perplexing narratives of how and why we are still here, after so many turmoils and exiles, troubles and turns.  

While our survival may have a lot to do with the very distinct ways with which we separated ourselves from others, sticking to language and folklore, faith and food. The sense of being chosen has and does also lead some among us to adopt troubling tropes of supremacy — we are holier and better, with blood more valuable than that of others even those in whose midst we live. 

The original context of this chapter may be connected to this ‘we first’ ideology - imagining a future in which the entire world recognized just how awesome and central we really are. And there is perhaps a universal way to read this text instead.

Yes, we have our unique and chosen gifts, endured and existing, with purpose and pride. And the love of all people who praise the divine that connects us is not because of us - but with us, all people, all nations, united by the mystery, committed to unity, beyond the old boundaries towards a future of fluid flourishing where all flowers are blessed equally by the divine sun from above? 

The tiny chapter ends with Hallelujah - the Hebrew words that is so difficult to translate and has become familiar worldwide as our humble contribution to passionate praise. The original means’ Praise the full moon’ — and it’s shining above our heads tonight, worthy of admiration. 

No matter how many we are and what ‘we’ mean at the end of each day and each night — this hopeful poem reminds us that the ultimate goal is to praise, and pray, and play together — one big human choir, transcend trauma and terror, walls and wars to sing together in harmony, committed to lives lived with love. 

Size doesn’t matter. Intention does. 

Less is more. 

Hallelujah. 

Below the Bible Belt: 929 chapters, 42 months, daily reflections.

Become a free or paid subscriber and join Rabbi Amichai’s 3+ years interactive online quest to question, queer + re-read between the lines of the entire Hebrew Bible. Enjoy daily posts, weekly videos and monthly learning sessions. 2022-2025.

#Psalms #PSLAMS #Psalm117 #ספרתהילים #תהילים #BookofPsalms #כתובים #tehilim #Ketuvim #Hebrewbible  #Tanach #929  #labshul #belowthebiblebelt929

 #chosenpeople #howmanyJewsintheworld? #universalism #lessismore #tribalism #sizematters #peace #prayforpeace #nomorewar #hope #peaceisposible  #lifeissacred