jews being god's chosen people?

Question

if the jews aRe god's chosen people why have they had to suffer so much for so many generations? would you make your own favorite children suffer on purpose? all of the prejudice, persecution, death and destruction rained on the jewish people seems to me it would be better to be NOT CHOSEN. i am not a scholar but this just doesn't make any kind of sense to me. and no ---i am not judging anyone.

Answer 1

Antisemitism indeed has no explanation, and it certainly defies the laws of nature; Jews have been blamed for boldness and cowardice, communism and capitalism, for being different than everyone else and for assimilating. This certainly defies explanation!





Being Jewish (and orthodox), I can tell you for a fact that the concept of "chosenness" does not imply any sense of superiority.

After all, Judaism is the ONLY religion which teaches that ALL moral people merit heaven, regardless of their religious beliefs, affiliations, or lack thereof.

Chosenness does imply a special 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.

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 descendants 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.

Answer 2

Jews do no longer believe we are a race. you ought to be "Blacks, White, Mexican, Africans" and be Jewish, too. i for my section do not have any genetic connection to the middle East yet am a Jew -- with the help of conversion. Chosenness has to do with the country of Israel (i.e. the Jewish human beings) identifying on the covenant with G-d. all and sundry can pick an same covenant and change right into a member of the "chosen human beings." at the same time, Jews are between the *LEAST* biased wrt our own faith: - Jews do no longer believe that Judaism is the in effortless words direction to righteousness (assessment this with Christianity or Islam...what takes position to you when you're literally not a believer?) - Jews do no longer believe that non-Jews (or Jews) pass to hell - there is no this kind of theory - Jews do no longer believe that Jews get something "better" interior the afterlife - what you suspect and who you're does no longer count number to Jews, in effortless words *what you do* (movements communicate louder than something else)

Answer 3

This topic has been totally misunderstood and misinterpreted for as long as mankind can remember.

Being chosen is not a privilege, but an obligation.

Jews exist in the world to do a service to humanity.

They have a method which can cure humanity from an illness which is causing all the negative events, troubles, crisis situations around us.

This illness is our selfish egoism, causing the disconnection of people from each other, all the hatred, and corrupted relationships.

The troubles raining on the jewish people are the reminders, that they have to do that service, they have to fulfill their obligation.

So it is time that the method (which is not judaism or any other religion, but a practical method), which is designed to unite humanity, and create a new human society building a safer better future, is taught to the rest of the world.

I hope it answers your question, all the best.

Answer 4

You missed the point.

Chosen for what?

What did the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews do tho make them "the chosen"?

They were chosen by God to carry His word from the beginning of time to the time of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This was the hinge of history when global calendars all show the truth of Jesus. There was B.C. and then A.D. THis is a global accoutrement. We are stuck in this time and all people tell the time based on the life of Jesus Christ.

On Jesus falls the "new and everlasting covenant", the new promise and the word of God has continued on with Jesus. THe New Testament adding His Truth to the OT. Whoever embraces the Word of God is the "Chosen" and this is now the Christian. They are the only ones that accept the complete word of God in its entirety.

The Jews are stuck with the Law and stopped believing in the truth of God. The Jews changed their whole religion around so that they don't have to "do the Law" anymore but that is just a giant lie. They either DO the law or they DON'T. This is what Judaism is.

And this is why so many people can't stand religion. People twist it all around to make it do what they want it to do instead of listening to what God wants it for.

(OK - I'm all done. )

Goodnight!

Answer 5

Actually, a number of religions make the claim to being God's chosen people. What is interesting to note that each claim is separate and unique as a whole. Ironically, Judaism is the only religion which gets persecuted for such a claim.



I will explain a few of the other positions in other theological beliefs, but let me start with Judaism first. "Chosen people" does not refer to superiority or a higher status in any way.



In Judaism, it is believed that there are many paths to God. As such, we do not feel the need to proselytize, nor do feel that someone is 'bad' or 'wrong' for not following Judaism.



With that said: Historians have categorized that this statement has been one of the six historical reasons for antisemitism. Please note that Christianity also defines this term in relation to Judaism very differently.



What choseness means: In Judaism, it simply means that we chose to accept the 613 commandments as binding. That's it, that's all. Since we are in a contract with God, if we break contract, we are liable to harsher penalties and fines as a result.



Think of a cell phone: If you terminate your contract early what happens? You could be fined, refused any more service, or taken to court right? Well, same concept with Judaism here. Since we knowingly agreed to these 613 commandments, we are under contract to fulfill them.



Since no other nation chose this, they are not bound to these commandments. They basically get the sweeter end of the deal. They have the 7 base commandments to follow and they're labeled as righteous people. Jews on the other hand, have to fulfill a whole slew of commandments to even get a tenth of this status.



Yes, the Jewish people have been through countless prejudice and persecution. Yet, we have survived in light of it all: Can you think of another ancient culture that has done the same? ;)



Christianity:

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In Christianity, the concept is called: Supersessionism. This is the traditional Christian belief that Christian believers have replaced physical Israelites as God's chosen people.



Seventh-day Adventism:

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Adventists are "chosen" by God to proclaim the three angels' messages of Revelation 14 to the world.



Mormonism:

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In Mormonism, all Latter Day Saints are viewed as covenant, or chosen, people; they have accepted the name of Jesus Christ.



Islam:

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Islamic supersessionism presents Muslims as the only people chosen to carry the true word of God.



Brahma Kumaris:

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The Indian born Brahma Kumaris believe in a strict hierarchy of human souls in which they occupy their members are top 8, 108, 16,108 and 900,000 most spiritual human beings, the only religion which God talks to in person and the only one that will both inherit and rule Heaven on Earth for 2,500 years.



Rastafari movement:

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Rastafaris beliefs contain six fundamental principles, including the complete chosenness of the black race in the eyes of Jah (God incarnate), rendering them supreme physically and spiritually to all other people.



Unification Church:

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Reverend Moon teaches that Korea is the chosen nation, selected to serve a divine mission. Korea, Moon says, was "chosen by God to be the birthplace of the leading figure of the age" and to be the birthplace of "Heavenly Tradition" ushering in God's kingdom.

Answer 6

answer: that sounds like a Yiddish joke: "G-d, we're your chosen, what do you have against us?"



G-d never promised that it would be easy living by the 613 commandments and being committed to the monotheistic worship of G-d and G-d alone. He did promise that His covenant with the Jews is eternal.



Jews did the choosing, they chose to accept the difficult life and to obey G-d's commandments even if G-d didn't demand that from others.

Answer 7

Because you mis-understand the concept of chosen.



Jews believe they have an obligation to follow 613 commandments God bestowed upon them. According to scripture, they were chosen because they were the smallest nation and their greatness would not be of their own accord but due to God alone.

Answer 8

The Bible is a collection of stories and tales that ancient Jews collected as a representation of their search for spirituality - it's not literally true.



A Jew is no more a "chosen" person than a Christian is "saved." These terms are are just metaphors.

Answer 9

Um, I'm going with the jealousy factor here.

I mean, if I was a religious cult, and I was told that someone else was favoured by MY God; I hate to say it, but I'D KILL EM!

Not that that's every likely, because for me to be a religious cult, I would;

a) have to be more than one person & b) have to be religious.

And I'm not the second one.

Answer 10

That is why their God is fake. This thing proves that Judaism, Islam (and other monotheistic religions) are BS. You really made a great point, why would God allow his people to suffer?

Answer 11

NO PEOPLE, are God's chosen people.



God loves us all, and he would not "favor" any people over the other.



It was the CHOSEN LAND...but never the CHOSEN PEOPLE.