Implied Superiority?
Stillman wrestles with the passage in Exodus that outlines Jewish chosenness, but she concludes that:
“The biblical text itself cautions us not to let chosenness lead to superiority. The designation of the Jews as a treasured possession comes after an exemplary interaction between Moses and his father-in-law Jethro, a non-Jew. Jethro visits the people in the wilderness and Moses receives him with great honor. They speak to each other with respect. …
The story of Yitro reminds us to understand chosenness in the context of excellent relations with people of other faiths, whom we must see as our own family. We must be able to take advice from them, and to share what we know. Whether we choose to call ourselves chosen or not, our actions will speak louder than our words.”
