Question:
Please forgive me for asking these questions, it's just thoughts that often haunt me.
I know that Hashem has chosen us Yidden as his people and children, and when Hashem gave us the Torah, hatred came down to the rest of the nations.
First of all, imagine a father chooses one child over the rest of his children, don't you think the other children would have hatred towards the chosen child?
Secondly, even if you want to say that we earned it by accepting the Torah and saying "Naseh V'nishma", wasn't all that preplanned- Brisbane Habesorim, Mitzrayim, Krias Yam suf, and then ultimately Kabolas HaTorah? Additionally we know from Rashi in the beginning of Bereishis that the whole world was only created for the yidden to accept the torah so we see that was the plan from the beginning, so why is there anything held against the other nations for hating us?
Now the second thing that bothers me, which I'm afraid to even ask and I hope Hashem will forgive me for even asking is: Why would Hashem do that to choose some over others and create 'so to speak' jealousy? We know and learn from Yaakov Avinu not to show more love to one child over the others.
These questions don't define who I am; they are just thoughts among some others that haunt me from time to time. I believe and accept everything, it's just thoughts, non the less I'd appreciate it if you can give some clarity to settle these thoughts and ease the haunting.
Thank you so much,
Answer:
Hello,
In Judaism there is no need to apologize for asking questions and seeking to understand. The more we probe, the more we ask, the better we will understand and the clearer things will be for us. Let’s first discuss your first question. It all started with Adam Harishon. He was created, as an almost perfect person, he didn’t have an internal yetzer hora, as his being was naturally pulled towards Hashem. His test was not to be persuaded by the outer influence of the nachash (serpent), and not to eat from the Eitz Hadas tov V’ra, (the tree which contained elements of evil and a drive to pull away from Hashem). Unfortunately, he ate from the Eitz Hadas, and now all of mankind became contaminated with a drive to pull away from Hashem. From now on mankind are subject to an internal conflict, on one hand man wants to get close to Hashem, but on the other hand now he has an inner pull, pulling him away from Hashem.
As explained by Ramchal (see Derech Hashem Part 2 Chapter 4), all of mankind had the opportunity to get the Torah, which will be able raise us and get us back to being close to Hashem, but out of everyone, the person who excelled at his was Avrohom. He toiled relentlessly, to bring himself closer to Hashem, until after over 70 years of constant effort, Hashem told him that he would be the one whose children will be able to receive the Torah, Via the Torah to eventually reattain that original perfection, which is the purpose of creation.
Therefore, Hashem made a covenant, a deal that is binding and that no side can back out of. That Avrohom’s children will be the chosen one’s to fulfill the purpose of creation, and be able to attain the original perfection that was lost. The road to this perfection however was a long one, and Avrohom agreed to it. His children would go into exile, and work as slaves, and undergo tremendous difficulty, until they were purified, like metal that comes out of a furnace, that is purified.
Then when Hashem gave the Torah, the nations weren’t willing to accept it, as they felt it was too hard, however the Jews were willing to take the responsibility of keeping the Torah, with its rewards and the punishments that it carries for violating the mitzvos. Understandably, after we accepted it, with all its responsibilities and rewards, the nations feel left out. But the truth is that anyone person among the nations that wants to join, and accepts to keep all the commandments, will be given the status of Jew, which means that he or she is a part of the Jewish people, and also considered chosen. The difference is just that a Jew is chosen by birthright, and a gentile can have it as his personal choice.
Therefore essentially, any person can choose to take on the responsibility, of being a jew and he will be chosen, by G-d… if he (the) himself choses Him (G-d).
What Rashi is saying is that the ultimate intention of the world’s creation, was to be a service of Hashem, and a place that he can be worshipped. Therefore, the purpose of the world is to help those who are doing the will of Hashem, which is keeping the Torah. As Rashi says, “bishvil Hatorah u’bshbil Yisroel”. But again, anyone who wants, can join the holy nation, if they are actually willing to accept all of the responsibilities of being a Torah true Jew.
Best wishes
