"Stop the Coercion!" – Why Do Religious Jews Try to Bring Secular Jews Closer to Judaism?

What prompts observant Jewish individuals to one day wake up and decide they're going to turn a regular community member into a Shabbat observer, wearing a kippah and tzitzit? Why do religious Jews refuse to adopt the 'live and let live' approach? You manage your life as you see fit, and I'll manage mine as I deem appropriate—sounds fair, right? Yet, for those who observe Torah and commandments, this isn't quite accepted. When you think about it, it's not logical to assume that only religious people have a genetic trait that manifests as a controlling personality. So where does this need to persuade strangers to change their lifestyle come from?

This approach of bringing strangers closer to Judaism—people we have never met and will never meet—doesn't stem from any genetic factor, at least not a biological one, but from a loving heart for the people of Israel. The Torah teaches us that the Jewish people are connected spiritually in a way that differs from other nations. While among the nations of the world, each human soul stands as an independent and isolated unit, the souls of the Jewish people are interconnected and intertwined, like various organs forming a complete human being. The Malbim, a Biblical commentator, writes in his book 'Torah and Commandment' about the reason for the commandment "Love your neighbor as yourself"—"All human beings are connected as one body... all as one person like one body composed of different organs, so the head loves the hand as itself... and thus one desires for another [=for others] that which he desires for himself, because it is part of his flesh and bone of his bones. Since all are one body, it is only right to love another like himself." The Torah teaches us that even if we have no personal acquaintance or interaction, and superficially appear as strangers to one another, on a spiritual level—we are brothers. We are interconnected.

In that context, the sages of Israel taught us the principle "All of Israel are responsible for one another," meaning that since our souls are intertwined, there is mutual responsibility and accountability between each of us. One cannot turn a blind eye and say, "That's his problem, his life—let him deal with it." From here, one can begin to understand what drives those who observe Torah and commandments to influence others and bring them closer to Judaism (like, for example, the people behind the 'Hidabroot' organization, just a thought that popped into my head randomly). When you care about someone else, your heart won’t let you ignore it. Those engaged in bringing others closer to Judaism could live their lives differently and focus on their own personal well-being. There are plenty of things one can do to improve personal life, both spiritually and materially. Yet, those who engage in bringing others closer choose not to live their lives focused solely on themselves but to dedicate their time for the sake of the people of Israel, for the spiritual and eternal good of their brothers and sisters.

When someone tries to bring others closer to Judaism, it's because they care about their spiritual future. They can't remain indifferent to seeing their spiritual siblings walking down a life path that leads to spiritual eternal loss. How can one be passive about the spiritual situation of others? The heart breaks from it. Therefore, out of concern and care, those 'bringing others closer to Judaism' devote their time for the strengthening of the people of Israel in keeping the Torah and commandments.

So next time you encounter a 'returner to faith' or a Hidabroot brochure (another example that just popped into my head randomly)—remember that it's done out of a loving heart.

Why does a Jew from Bnei Brak care about a Jew from Tel Aviv riding a bus on Shabbat? Rabbi Zamir Cohen with a powerful segment on loving Israel and mutual responsibility. Watch: