Question: I was talking to a friend of mine who is Christian, and he was telling me about how the G-d that he believes in is more compassionate and nice than the G-d that Jews believe in. I sought to prove him wrong, but I could not find any particular passage in the Bible that proves of G-d’s compassion and love for the people of Israel; it appears to me that G-d in the Old Testament is more harsh and even scary in a way than what is mentioned in the New Testament. I was wondering if you think that my friend’s comment is true, and if not, why?

Answer: Thanks for this great question.

I understand where this question is coming from. In Christianity they teach that all you have to do is “accept Jesus” and you are “saved.” From a Jewish perspective this is not the way to true growth. It’s a way to not have to do anything and actually achieve a false sense of spiritual security.

From a Jewish perspective a person reaches spiritual greatness by their actions, not their beliefs in something or someone else. In order to be “saved” from a Jewish perspective a person does “good deeds.” He has to actually act in accordance with the Torah, not just accept an abstract truth. We believe that through work and toil a person will achieve greatness.

So, is G-d compassionate? Absolutely! Which G-d sounds more compassionate to you? A G-d that says you don’t have to do anything, but if you accept His son as your savior that’s enough or a G-d that says that if you live up to your personal potential then He will give you your just rewards in this world and the world to come? It’s a difference of blindly having “faith” vs. living to your personal potential and then reaping the vast benefits of your actions. You are in control and you decide how connected or distanced you are from Your Creator. There is nothing more compassionate than that.

In terms of sources – the Torah (old testament) is full of compassion. When the world is evil G-d gives us another chance, when Sara can’t have a child G-d makes a miracle, when the Jews are at the sea G-d parts it, when they need water in the desert a miracle happens, when Abraham is going through 10 tests G-d makes miracles so that he succeeds, in Egypt G-d sends the 10 plagues (which are all lessons for the Jews in addition to punishments for the Egyptians).

I could go on, but my hands are getting sore. The point is that there is no being more compassionate than the G-d of Abraham. The ultimate sign of how much G-d cares for us is that He wants us to get close to Him through mitzvos (good deeds). Jesus proclaimed that his followers no longer needed to do those things. That’s not compassionate – that’s pulling yourself away from G-d because you want people to think that you are G-d.

I hope that this helps.

Be Well,
Rabbi Litt