Most of us are familiar with the concept that God is hidden in this world. The Hebrew word for world is Olam and the Hebrew word for hidden is Aleym. These two words share a common Hebrew root hinting at the fact that in this Olam God is Aleym. We say that God is hidden in this world because His hand in things isn’t always obvious. We can imagine that some force, such as nature, is behind certain events in our world. Sometimes this hidden-ness fools us into thinking that God isn’t really involved or concerned with what we do. This of course is false.
What no one discusses is the fact that not only is God hidden in this world but so is Israel. What I mean is that Israel’s greatness, who she is, isn’t obvious in the world. This is the source of anti-Semitism. If everyone knew the greatness of Israel could they or would they hate her? Would the nations knowing who Israel is dare conceive of attacking her? The hidden God chose a people for Himself who share with him the quality of hidden-ness. Israel is to be a light to the nations but at this time do the nations really see that light? Today the nations imagine that Israel is nothing special while in their hearts they know that she is. It is with the advent of the Messiah that Israel will truly be revealed and as Israel ceases to be hidden in this world so Hashem will cease to be hidden in this world. This is why in the messianic era conversion to Judaism will no longer be allowed. Blessed are those among the nations who see Israel for who she is now, knowing Israel and thus knowing God.
