Project Genesis




Chosen People

How are Jews the Chosen People?

It says very explicitly in the Torah that God chose Abraham as a person who would raise his children in accordance with God’s ideals and principles, and God would thus protect and bless Abraham’s descendants with His covenant. (See the Portion of “Vaerah”) Afterwards, we are called a “light unto the nations” and a “treasured nation”. Clearly, the Torah itself delineates a special relationship between the Jewish People and God.

It’s important to remember a few things when thinking about “Chosenness”. For example, Judaism doesn’t suggest that non-Jews are somehow doomed or unable to achieve an afterlife. They also can be part of the eternal world-to-come, by following the Torah’s guidelines for their lives. Secondly, any individual, if he or she so desires, can join the Jewish People. If they did so, they would then be part of our national mission to
exemplify God’s Will for mankind by keeping the Torah’s laws and principles, and they would thereby have a greater opportunity for eternal reward, as a result of the greater task they had assumed by their conversion.

Regards,
Raphael Leban

1 Follow-up »

  1. Can a christian be a Proselyte or Judo-christian?

    A non-Jew can follow G-d’s laws for humanity and live a wonderful life and earn eternal reward. Or they could decide to become Jewish and convert. Either are acceptable, assuming a person sincerely undertakes to lead the life they’ve chosen in keeping with G-d’s will.

    Raphael Leban

    Comment by ATR — July 6, 2006 @ 4:37 pm

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