And from whence do we that, from God’s standpoint, all of Israel is comprised of converts (gerim) and
foreign residents (Toshavim)? We get it from the Hebrew verse that goes on to say: “The Land [of Israel]
must not be sold permanently, because the Land is mine, and YOU [THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL] ARE
TO ME “GERIM” AND TOSHAVIM”- Leviticus 25:23.
Thus, although ethnic Israel is Torah’s “custodian”, Torah itself doesn’t exclusively belong to them. Rather, it
belongs to all who will come and embrace it. And maybe that’s why Torah was given in the wilderness, as the
latter didn’t belong to any people in particular, but was rather open to all nations. Not only that, but Moses
himself compared his teaching with both rain water, and dew (“LET MY TEACHING FALL LIKE RAIN,
AND MY WORDS DESCEND LIKE DEW, LIKE SHOWERS ON NEW GRASS...”- Deuteronomy 32:).
Does the rain [of heavens] belongs to any particular kind of grass? [Bear in mind that elsewhere the Scripture
compares the whole human race with grass, at it is written: “THE MAN, LIKE GRASS ARE HIS
DAYS….”- Psalm 103:15]. In the former verse, the word translated as “The man” is “enosh”, a Hebrew word
that literally means “Human being”]. Can any ethnic group claim to own Heaven’s dew? Has there ever be
any human being, any land, or any nation upon which rain showers are not allowed to fall? Does anybody
has the right to prevent a thirsty person from drinking water coming from the sky?
Not only are the peoples of all nations called to become Israel [by obeying Torah], but if Israel’s former
enemies [like Egypt and Assyria] turn to God and faithfully worship Him, He might even place them ahead
of ethnic Israel. As it is written: «... THEY [THE EGYPTIANS] WILL TURN TO THE LORD, AND HE
WILL RESPOND TO THEIR PLEAS AND HEAL THEM… The Egyptians and the Assyrians will worship
together. IN THAT DAY ISRAEL WILL BE THE THIRD [NOT THE FIRST!], ALONG WITH EGYPT
AND ASSYRIA, [and this will be the sign of] a blessing in the midst of the Earth; THE LORD ALMIGHTY
WILL BLESS THEM, SAYING: “BLESSED BE EGYPT MY PEOPLE, ASSYRIA THE WORK OF MY
HANDS, AND ISRAEL MY INHERITANCE”»- Isaiah 19:22-25.
Notice how in the former verses the Creator describes Egypt and Assyria using words like, “my people”, and
“the work of my hands”. The keen reader will immediately be aware that these terms are also used elsewhere
to describe ethnic Israel, as it is written: “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, LET MY PEOPLE GO, THAT
THEY MAY HOLD A FEAST UNTO ME IN THE WILDERNESS”- Exodus 5:1. And also in another place:
“Therefore thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF JACOB:
“JACOB SHALL NOT NOW BE ASHAMED… But when he seeth HIS CHILDREN, THE WORK OF
MINE HANDS, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My name...”- Isaiah 29:22-33.
In short, Hebrew scripture hints at the idea that he who follows Torah is part of the children of Israel [no
matter if he be Jew or Gentile]; but he who refuses to follow Torah isn’t part of the Children of Israel [no
matter if he be Jew or Gentile].
Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: