The Jewish nation is often referred to as "the Chosen People."
Many people (including Jews) are uncomfortable with this idea. They perceive the concept of a "Chosen People" as racist and mindful of the Nazi concept of a supreme "Aryan" nation. It appears to contradict the accepted Western ideal of all people being equal before God.
Is the Jewish concept of choseness racist?
When the Torah refers to the Jewish people as "chosen," it is not in any way asserting that Jews are racially superior. Americans, Russians, Europeans, Asians and Ethiopians are all part of the Jewish people. It is impossible to define choseness as anything related to race, since Jews are racially diverse.
Yet while the term "Chosen People" (Am Nivchar) does not mean racially superior, choseness does imply a special uniqueness.
What is this uniqueness?
Historically, it goes back to Abraham. Abraham lived in a world steeped in idolatry, which he concluded was contradicted by the reality of design in nature.
Abraham invested years of dedication and effort to be God's representative.
So Abraham came to a belief in God, and took upon himself the mission of teaching others of the monotheistic ideal. Abraham was even willing to suffer persecution for his beliefs. After years of enormous effort, dedication and a willingness to accept the responsibility to be God's representative in this world, God chose Abraham and his descendents to be the teachers of this monotheistic message.
In other words it is not so much that God chose the Jews; it is more accurate that the Jews (through Abraham) chose God.
Choseness was not part of God's "original plan." Initially all of humanity was to serve the role of God's messengers, but after the fall of Adam, humanity lost that privilege, and it was open for grabs. Only Abraham chose to take the mantel. If others would have (and they were offered the choice), they too would have joined in this special covenant which was sealed upon the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
If a privilege is offered to everyone willing to pay the necessary price, nobody can protest that those willing to make the extra effort are being shown favoritism. For example: It is reasonable that an employee who agrees to work overtime, attend training seminars, and manage special projects, should be entitled to a performance bonus ― particularly if each employee was given the same opportunity.
The essence of being chosen means responsibility. It is a responsibility to change the world ― not by converting everyone to Judaism, but by living as a model community upheld by ethics, morals and beliefs of one God. In that way, we can influence the rest of mankind, a "light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6).
Judaism is Universal
Further, Judaism is not exclusionary. A human being need not to be Jewish to reach a high spiritual level. Enoch "walked with God," and Noah had quite a high level of relationship, though neither were Jewish. Our tradition is that all of the 70 nations must function together and play an integral part in that "being" called humanity.
According to Judaism (Talmud - Sanhedrin 58b), any person can achieve a place in the World to Come by faithfully observing the seven basic laws of humanity. These seven laws are named the "Laws of Noah," since all humans are descended from Noah:
1) Do not murder.
2) Do not steal.
3) Do not worship false gods.
4) Do not be sexually immoral.
5) Do not eat the limb of an animal before it is killed.
6) Do not curse God.
7) Set up courts and bring offenders to justice.
The Temple was the universal center of spirituality, with all welcome to bring offerings.
Torah is for all humanity. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, he specifically asked God to heed the prayer of non-Jews who come to the Temple (1-Kings 8:41-43). The Temple was the universal center of spirituality, which the prophet Isaiah referred to as a "house of prayer for all nations." Non-Jews were welcome to bring offerings to the Temple as well. In fact, the service in the Holy Temple during the week of Sukkot featured a total of 70 bull offerings, corresponding to each of the 70 nations of the world. In fact, the Talmud says that if the Romans would have realized how much they were benefiting from the Temple, they never would have destroyed it!
Most other religions say that non-believers are condemned to eternal damnation. Even the calendar systems of Christianity and Islam reflect an exclusionary philosophy; each begins with the birth of their respective religion. The Jewish calendar, on the other hand, begins with the creation of Adam, the first man, teaching us the intrinsic value of every human, even though the Jewish religion was not yet born.
For this reason, Jews do not proselytize in search of converts. One can still merit a place in heaven, no conversion necessary.
Conversion
An important component of Judaism's non-exclusionary approach is that any person ― regardless of national or racial background ― can choose to accept the Torah and become part of the Jewish nation. Indeed, some of the greatest names in Jewish history ― Ruth, the ancestor of King David, and Onkelos the Talmudic Sage ― were converts to Judaism.
The requirements for conversion parallel the experience at Mount Sinai.
According to the Code of Jewish Law (the "Shulchan Aruch"), there are three requirements for a valid conversion (paralleling the Jewish experience at Mount Sinai):
1) Mitzvot ― The convert must believe in God and the divinity of the Torah, as well as accept to observe all 613 mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah. This includes observance of Shabbat, Kashrut, etc., as detailed in the Code of Jewish Law, the authoritative source for Jewish observance.
2) Milah ― Male converts must undergo circumcision by a qualified "Mohel."
3) Mikveh ― All converts must immerse in the Mikveh, a ritual bath linked to a reservoir of rain water.
All of the above must be done before a halachically-valid rabbinical court of three Jewish men who themselves believe in God, accept the divinity of the Torah, and observe the mitzvot.
(17) Anonymous, March 15, 2015 10:58 PM
I never believed in the theory of the "chosen people", because every person who has read the Torah from the beginning, knows as you mention above, that "it is not so much that God chose the Jews; it is more accurate that the Jews (through Abraham) chose God". The people were asked if they wanted to join those who believed in one God (3000 years ago), and in the Oneness of God. Some accepted to join and followed Hashem. Other did not want to join (and became our enemies of today throughout their generations), Those who joined, became the Jews of today throughout the generations connected to our ancestors, our history and our heritage, and they agreed to do as promulgated by the Torah without questioning. They accepted the Ten commandments as a way of life, which comprises the 613 mitzvoth and prohibitions, as well as the 39 halachic Laws and its derivatives that must be followed on Sabbath and the holidays. Torah is the way to self perfection, by studying it and perfecting ourselves, we agree to choose and accept Hashem as our Supreme Being. Therefore, in return God chooses us by protecting and guiding us throughout our lives. Thank you so very much Rabbi Shraga, for such an enlightening article.
(16) Therese, May 28, 2014 12:27 AM
We Should Be Grateful!
I was very pleased to see your mention of the state of the worlds morality before Judaism. The world we have today, regardless of all its shortcomings, has literally been revolutionized, morally & theologically by Jewish law. Billions of people happily assume they have inalienable human rights, whilst remaining totally ignorant about from whence they came. I'm a Christian, not a Jew, but I'm still grateful!
(15) meeka, April 4, 2013 9:50 AM
sure appreciate the clarification
very nice of you to educate us on the traditional Jewish customs. Thank You
(14) Mark-Norman, January 24, 2013 12:25 PM
well said
from the article i quote, "The essence of being chosen means responsibility. It is a responsibility to change the world ― not by converting everyone to Judaism, but by living as a model community upheld by ethics, morals and beliefs of one God. In that way, we can influence the rest of mankind, a "light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6)."... But how can this quantify when Israel, before anything else, has the moral obligation to defend it's people. As far as am concerned, please correct me if am wrong, the message out here is that Israel is focusing on its right to exist as a nation and defending its self against the Arabs who want to wipe it off the map...does Israel (in it's might as as a nation) or Jews as a People extend a hand of help the rest of the world like the USA? Thank you
(13) Avraham Turetsky, July 5, 2011 11:34 PM
it's not merely a matter of added responsibility
Not everyone agrees that being chosen is merely a matter of being chosen for more responsibility. Granted, Jews accepted more responsibility, but there were reasons why they were particularly suited for this particular kind of responsibility. Those reasons revolve around several specific characteristics that Jews, as a nation, are more likely to possess. Just as Italians might be known for their art and Germans for their music, Jews have always been known for certain things. For instance, The Talmud refers to Jews as generally being "bayshanim, rachmanim, gomlei chasadim" - "more conscious/sensitive to embarrassment, merciful and eager to help". These reasons preceded their being offered the Torah rather merely being the outcome of it. A couple of years ago, I listened to the three lectures by Rabbi Gottlieb on this topic, which I would strongly recommend. I feel that he takes a more intellectually rigorous approach and confronts the topic head on, rather than saying it's all about added responsibility: http://audio.simpletoremember.com/gottlieb/ChosenPeople1.mp3 http://audio.simpletoremember.com/gottlieb/ChosenPeople2.mp3 http://audio.simpletoremember.com/gottlieb/ChosenPeople3.mp3
(12) Ady, May 12, 2011 6:08 AM
Thank you for the clairity of the above article.
Thank you again, shalom.
(11) yves fuller, December 3, 2008 4:01 PM
the chosen people
shalom,AM SEGULA mean the people of the vowels 3 column system Abraham Isaac Jacob never the chosen people,we recieve for the sake of sharing,that is our mission. peace on earth.
(10) megan, June 24, 2008 11:24 PM
thanks for the help, this information was useful for my religious studies assignment
(9) inquirer, February 19, 2008 8:50 PM
why are abraham's progeny also chosen?
The article said that !Abraham! chose God. Should it not be that every Jew can choose whether he wants to be chosen just like Abraham did? Personally I'd rather just keep the 7 laws.
Furthermore the Torah says that the Jews will be blessed with prosperity (which they clearly are), is it fair that Abraham's children should get all sorts of benefits when he was the one who was righteous? The Torah says a child is not punished for the sins of his father, it seems fair that so to a child can't "mooch" off his parents good deeds.
(8) zena ezechiels, January 5, 2007 3:50 AM
This was a very good article on Chosen People. Thank you . I am a Greek Orthodox Russian .. Canadian Christian
Greek/Russian by heritage.Thank you for providing me with answers that I thought about and inwardly knew but did not see any stated in print Zena
(7) Joseph, December 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Shalom and todaravah dear Aish
kol tuv
Thank you very much
(6) Grace Fishenfeld, September 2, 2004 12:00 AM
It is wonderful to be part of a people who respect others who may be of another faith and value their contribution to the world without deeming them unfit to join us where ever our souls journey. journey takes us
Thanks for your clear and heartful writing
(5) Anonymous, June 29, 2004 12:00 AM
Need clearity
Good article - however, I belive that your statement "it's not so much that God chose the Jews as the Jews chose God", needs more explanation and clarification.
(4) Anonymous, June 11, 2004 12:00 AM
I Must Have Misunderstood
I think I have misunderstood Mr. Nigrin's comments. We are scapegoats because we are the only ones allowed to spread Judaism's
values? Who else should do it? Christians
spread Christian values, Jews spread Jewish values! Why does this cause scapegoating?
(3) Jose Nigrin, June 8, 2004 12:00 AM
chosen scapegoats
The value of judaism is universal, but to have been chosen to spread its values, excluding the world around them, made the rest of other religions able to convert the majority of other people to their cause, and blaming jews for being the only chosen in this globe.
(2) Sylvia Basch, May 30, 2004 12:00 AM
Judaism
This article is excellent and enlightening. It makes vey clear the joining of Jew and non-Jew in the study of Torah.
(1) Bajrami, May 23, 2004 12:00 AM
All I could read here in "The chosen people" by Rabi Shraga Simmons is simply wonderful et I sad to myself that think it so !
Thank you !
Elvina Bajrami from Belgium.