while Abraham was still a polytheist under his father Terah, God called Abraham to simply go. Where he did not know, nor that millennia later his name would still be a household name. I don't see anywhere in the Torah where God gives another nation, the opportunity to be chosen before the Jews. God even goes out of his way in the Tanach to say that the Jews were chosen in spite of themselves: the smallest of the peoples, the most stubborn, etc. The logic given is approximately: I have loved you because I have loved you. Very much like "I am that I am." it is a statement that simply is it does not need an explanation.
I get a little upset at the use of the term "chosen people" in lieu of the original Hebrew "s'gulah mikol ha'amim," (Exodus 19:5). S'gulah means treasured, not chosen. And take the phrase in context. The offer of being treasured among the peoples of the world is conditional on listening to Hashem's word and keeping his mitzvot. Perpetuating this mistranslation is unfortunate.
Though I don't agree that God went to other nations first, the rest of your essay is beautifully written. To be God's is not easy. We are tried, become stronger, grow, persevere. You are blessed to be called His people.
I think there was also another reason he chose us.
He did not choose a wimpy, pushover nation, and use a smooth tongued Pericles that would win us over with or his oratorical skills.
It is because we are a “stiffnecked nation.”. We were not an easy sell. The Midrash says that God had to suspend Mount Sinai over us, threatening us if we do not accept the Torah. And, as Moses recounts throughout the book of Deuteronomy, we often showed signs of rebellion. And of course, whom did God choose to be his messenger and teach us the Torah? Moses, a stutterer. most likely not a very persuasive speaker. So, we have a stubborn people listening to a speaker with a non-persuasive style - And we are the ones who had the courage to keep God‘s Torah throughout the ages.
Because that was the best way to demonstrate to the world that truth alone is the most powerful of persuaders.
while Abraham was still a polytheist under his father Terah, God called Abraham to simply go. Where he did not know, nor that millennia later his name would still be a household name. I don't see anywhere in the Torah where God gives another nation, the opportunity to be chosen before the Jews. God even goes out of his way in the Tanach to say that the Jews were chosen in spite of themselves: the smallest of the peoples, the most stubborn, etc. The logic given is approximately: I have loved you because I have loved you. Very much like "I am that I am." it is a statement that simply is it does not need an explanation.
I get a little upset at the use of the term "chosen people" in lieu of the original Hebrew "s'gulah mikol ha'amim," (Exodus 19:5). S'gulah means treasured, not chosen. And take the phrase in context. The offer of being treasured among the peoples of the world is conditional on listening to Hashem's word and keeping his mitzvot. Perpetuating this mistranslation is unfortunate.
I loved reading this. Thank you
This is a really excellent and touching essay. Thank you.
A beautiful, revealing article. So engaging. I know that feeling of being overlooked. Dear Reuben, I am looking straight at you.
See! A son!
A beautiful insight into your childhood and all that Jewish stuff!
Wonderful words.
Why can’t the world accept this?:
(The big caveat of course is, that people don’t use chosenness to colonize other people’s lands, bodies, and souls, by forcing them to convert.)
Though I don't agree that God went to other nations first, the rest of your essay is beautifully written. To be God's is not easy. We are tried, become stronger, grow, persevere. You are blessed to be called His people.
The idea that God went to other nations first is a Midrash based on versus at the end of the book of Deuteronomy.
I think there was also another reason he chose us.
He did not choose a wimpy, pushover nation, and use a smooth tongued Pericles that would win us over with or his oratorical skills.
It is because we are a “stiffnecked nation.”. We were not an easy sell. The Midrash says that God had to suspend Mount Sinai over us, threatening us if we do not accept the Torah. And, as Moses recounts throughout the book of Deuteronomy, we often showed signs of rebellion. And of course, whom did God choose to be his messenger and teach us the Torah? Moses, a stutterer. most likely not a very persuasive speaker. So, we have a stubborn people listening to a speaker with a non-persuasive style - And we are the ones who had the courage to keep God‘s Torah throughout the ages.
Because that was the best way to demonstrate to the world that truth alone is the most powerful of persuaders.
A beautiful and thought provoking article. It made me think about family and my children.
One the absolutely best pieces of writing