- If Jews are the chosen people, what have we been chosen for? What does choseness demand of us?
- If we alone were chosen to be brought into the covenant with God, what happens to everyone else? What do you know about other faiths’ ideas of “chosenness”?
- A key concept in Judaism is that all of humanity is made in the image of God, b’tzelem Elokim. How do you understand this concept and how does it apply to the notion of “chosenness”? How might your ideas about Jews as a “chosen” people take into account the experience of converts?
- How does the concept of chosenness relate to the tension between particularism and universalism?
- Is a relationship with the Land and State of Israel foundational to being Jewish?
Discussion Guide - Chosenness
February 10, 2015
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Abraham/Israel were chosen to be His people.
Along with the awesome privilege comes the potential for great condemnation, as Rabbi Shai Held noted.
He is not setting up Israel to be superior, but rather showing them, and any who would be grafted in, how to relate to the Maker of heaven and earth.
Israel is submitted by the Father as the Light unto the nations.
If stumbling in darkness, go hang out with those residing under the Light.