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G-d and the Followers of Other Faiths

Question

Some religious Jews believe God is only theirs. What about non-Jews? For example great talents were given to The Beatles, Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, artists, scientists, writers, inventors, George Washington etc. These people are worshiping through Jesus.

Answer

I can’t speak for all Jews and their beliefs, but my understanding of the Torah is that God is concerned for all His creations. Didn’t He send a prophet to beg the non-Jews of Nineveh to repent so they wouldn’t need to be destroyed (see the Book of Jonah)? Doesn’t it say that “His mercy is on all his acts” (Psalms 145; 9)? Regarding wisdom, we can point to the famous Medrash (Eicha Rabba 2) “if a person should say to you ‘there is wisdom among the nations’ believe him…” Now, of course, that doesn’t mean that the success any non-Jew experiences is a result of his particular choice of religion. There could be all kinds of reasons why this or that person achieves greatness of one sort or another. But, at the same time, I can’t imagine any reason to say that the God of the Torah doesn’t care for and interact with all of His children.

With my regards,
Rabbi Boruch Clinton