stop being politically incorrect. G-d said in the Torah that they Jews are his chosen, special nation, and that He loves them the most from all the nations. Their is many times of mention of this. Will and does this cause anti-semitism? YES. But the facts are the facts. Also just becuase Jews are chosen doesnt make all the other nations scumm or filth, etc as anti-semites claim the Torah and Talmud teaches, but definitly just like theirs a difference between a Human and an Animal, their is a difference between an Israelite (Jew) who does G-d's will, compared to a non-Jew. This isn't a genetic superiority, but a spiritual superiority which means that in the spiritual outlook everything is appreciated but their are different levels.
Mineral- Plant- Animal-Human- Jew who loves G-d. (and subdivisions within each category).
you know, tzvi, you remind me of this guy i met in Jerusalem this summer.. He corrected the way i was wearing the t'fillin..and then somehow, in regards to the shel-rosh of the t'fillin, he said it belonged in that spot because that's where the shekhina or something like that..or the soul was located...the prefrontal lobe..the area which allows us to judge and to keep ourselves from doing the wrong thing...and he also said that only Jews had this...
I said, "what about righteous gentiles"
and he said, "No only Jews have this in their brain."
and then I said, "well, what about evil Jews..." He didn't answer fully..
and i followed up, "what about converts to Judaism?" he didn't answer...I walked away...
This isn't about political correctness. Gd is the ultimate Father of all nations. Each nation is one of His children. We are the eldest...the Eldest child has a duty different from all other children...the first born to be the leader of showing light. However, all of Gd's other children also have a stake...each to be chosen in something else...All equal..all of Gd's love..however, we are particularly important...Gd will never make us disappear Gd forbid. Without us there woudl be chaos.
However, we are not higher than anyone or any nation. We are not more righteous than any other nation. Quite simply, we are very very important for the world...and if anyone tries to mess with us, well, Gd will have His way with them..and if anyone blesses us, Gd will bless them. And if we screw around as a nation, Gd will really really really screw us over big time, Gd forbid.
Therefore, in conclusion, we are a special people..but we aren't necessarily better nor superior in anyway.
In other words, all fruits are equal in taste...but when comparing Jews with Africans with Europeans with Asians with Inidians you are compariing apples with oranges with pears with watermelons, with strawberries...All unique fruits, but all equally healthy to eat.
Danny..wonderful post.
I am not a know-it-all on Judaism nor am I a theological major in studies of the Bible but there is one thing that I've always believed. While there is evil in every nation...sprinkled a little here, and sprinkled a lot there, those who aren't evil carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Not only are they expected to represent the bad seeds but they're also expected to encourage good in other nations.
I happen to think that we are ALL God's Favorites simply because he created us, gave us our own minds to think with, and sent us out in the world and trusts that we will make the best of our lives. I am a newborn Christian (only 2 years old on November 4th of this year) but if I live to be better than I am now, I STILL won't amount to the greatness God is made of. And that's the truth.
We are all equal in the eyes of God. The Jews may be the first born son of God's Word, but like all parents, I don't believe he loves Jews more than he loves any of His other children.