Q&A: The Uniqueness of the Jewish People Compared to the Nations
The Uniqueness of the Jewish People Compared to the Nations
Question
Hello, honored Rabbi!
In the fifth notebook, the Rabbi brings several characteristics that distinguish the Jewish people from the nations, and groups those characteristics into one strong unit. My question is: are there not other nations that have several unusual characteristics as well, such that one could reach a similar conclusion?
Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
Answer
If there were such nations, then those characteristics would not be unusual and unique. If you have other data, I’d be glad to hear it.
Discussion on Answer
Thank you very much
Hello, honored Rabbi. If a nation experienced 2 unlikely phenomena (and each one lasted long enough), that is still a matter of impression, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be impressive.
How can that be, if the probability of that happening is very low? (After all, it is very hard to find a nation that has even one rare and unlikely phenomenon, all the more so two phenomena.)
And also, although it’s a side point—are there any such nations at all?
Rabbi, even if there is one additional nation, it’s not certain that these characteristics would no longer be called unusual.
Remember that the uniqueness in Judaism is in relation to what the basic ethos tried to create; that is what accompanied it throughout the generations.