A question to consider
Posted on 2006-06-08 at 08:33
What does it mean to say that the Jews are the "Chosen People"? We know at it's base it means "chosen to be in a covenant with God" but does it mean more than that?
Is it an exclusivist model? Can others join into the chosenness of the Jewish people? Are converted jews also members of the chosen people? Is this chosen status a form of ethnocentrism? At heart, the question, I suppose, becomes what do we mean when we say the "jewish community"? Does the claim come with assumptions of superiority? Purpose?
I ask because I also note the many Christian, Islamic, and Hindu groups that claim "Chosen People" status. It's interesting to compare the claims of chosenness among the various groups. There's nothing more to this post than my interest in that question.
Now, go discuss amongst yourselves.