The Self-conviction in God’s Selection - A Fading Myth

Abstract

This short essay examines the Jewish people's conviction of having been chosen by God and argues that this national myth is fading. The author contrasts the bases of national affiliation in modern and ancient nations and notes that, unlike most empires, the Jewish nation survived for approximately 4000 years, mostly in exile, without a large population, considerable economic potential or military strength. The author traces the belief in a single abstract God to Abraham and to the Torah attributed to Moses, suggests that the Torah may have been written later by writers who established a bond between the people and their God, and presents the conviction of being chosen as the unifying glue of national identity. The essay argues that the readiness of Jews throughout history to die rather than convert reflects faith in their religious habits rather than in God himself, and discusses the educational motivation that earned them the name 'The Book Nation'. It then contends that orthodox Jews in Israel have preserved the lifestyle of exile and contribute little to the economy or army service, deepening a polarity with the rest of the population that endangers Israel's future as a modern state. The author concludes that the self-conviction of being selected by God, which the author links to the rise of antisemitism, has lost reliability.

Abstract prepared by the editorial office from the full text of the article; the authors did not supply one.