“Time and again, the Torah repeats how we must treat the stranger: You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 23:9) When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him.
Full Answer
What does the Torah involve us in?
So Torah involves us in arriving at that attitude. To the point that we will say, "Even though the Torah lets us, we don't do things that way." Which means that we've really learnt something.
How should we treat foreigners in the Bible?
The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself.
How did the Torah change the world?
As much as Rome ruled over Judea, Jewish values deeply transformed Rome. One of the results was the legal privileges eventually granted to slaves and the gradual recognition of the value of human life. Torah involves us in arriving at the right attitude. And now, we can teach it to others.
What is the most important misconstruction of the Torah?
But the most important misconstruction here is that Rachael ignores a basic truism of history: How things are now is not how things always were. Torah is understood as eternal law. If one accepts it as such, one would expect to find basic principles with applications that change according to the situation.
What does the Torah say about strangers?
The Torah mentions the idea of 'Welcoming the Stranger' no less than 36 times and reinforces this idea by reminding the Children of Israel that they were once Strangers in a Strange Land. Eventually, each of us experiences a moment in our lives when WE are the Stranger.
Is oral allowed in Judaism?
Oral sex, up until ejaculation, is entirely permitted according to most Talmudic and halachic authorities.
What does the Torah say about ethics?
The writings attributed to the biblical prophets exhort all people to lead a righteous life. Kindness to the needy, benevolence, faith, compassion for the suffering, a peace-loving disposition, and a truly humble and contrite spirit, are the virtues which the Prophets hold up for emulation.
What is the reference to strangers in the land of Egypt?
(Exodus 23:9) When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Is Viagra kosher?
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What are the 3 moral principles in Judaism?
Key moral principles including justice, healing the world, charity and kindness to others. The importance of the sanctity of human life, including the concept of 'saving a life' (Pikuach Nefesh).
What is the code of behavior for Judaism?
They include judging other people fairly; knowing when forgiveness is obligatory, optional, or forbidden; balancing humility and self-esteem; avoiding speech that shames others; restraining our impulses of envy, hatred, and revenge; valuing truth but knowing when lying is permitted; understanding why God is the ...
What are the moral laws of the Torah?
Moral laws – on murder, theft, honesty, adultery, etc. Social laws – on property, inheritance, marriage and divorce. Food laws – on what is clean and unclean, on cooking and storing food. Purity laws – on menstruation, seminal emissions, skin disease and mildew, etc.
What does the Bible say about foreigners?
“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Lev. 19:33-34).
What does the Bible say about taking care of strangers?
The Bible affirms – strongly and unequivocally – the obligation to treat strangers with dignity and hospitality.
Who are the foreigners in Deuteronomy?
The noun ger (pl. gerim), often translated into English as “alien,” “foreigner,” or “stranger,” occurs twenty-two times in Deuteronomy, two of which refer to the Israelites, who once lived as aliens in Egypt (10.19b; 23.8). All the other occurrences refer to strangers.
What is the significance of Moses' oration?
Central to Moses’ oration is the insistence that the events of his life have unfurled before the people’s “own eyes.”. As Moses retells it, his audience’s presence was essential ...
How many times is the word "heed the stranger" mentioned in the Bible?
Mentioned no fewer than 36 times throughout Scripture, the Torah’s exhortations on the treatment of the stranger often appear with a companion explanation: Heed the stranger’s treatment because “you know the feelings of a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” ( Exodus 23:9 ).
What is Moses' elision?
But it is not only empathy’s mechanism of imaginative engagement that is revealed in Moses’ generational elision. The elision further helps us understand that empathy is work, that there is something awkward and uncomfortable about its habit. We must be schooled in its compulsory nature no less than 36 times, tutored in its essentialness through the heuristic of self-deception: “It was you who were a slave; it is you who knows the heart of a stranger.” Moses’ elision thus helps us internalize that empathy is not always and already there, burrowed inside like a jack-in-the-box, awaiting an opening to spring forth. It is rather an iterative effort that demands rehearsal and repetition.
How does Torah affect change?
As the sages called it, "the blueprint of the universe.". So the Torah effects change not by imposing an exogenous order, but by revealing the inner, hidden order latent within all things.
What is the written Torah?
In Torah, both the masculine and the feminine approaches exist —they're called "The Written Torah" and "The Oral Torah.". The Written Torah (principally, the Five Books of Moses, but also including all the Prophets and Scriptures) lays down the law in a fatherly, authoritarian voice. It says: "These are the rules.
What does Maimonides say about the Torah?
He seems to be saying, "The Torah says we can be real mean, but that's not nice, so we don't do that."
What is the central event of the Torah narrative?
The central event of the Torah narrative is the liberation of an entire nation of slaves from a cruel oppressor. Torah is about liberty, human dignity and respect for our fellow citizens of this planet for which the Creator cares so much.
Why did the Jews join the abolitionists?
The three courageous Jews joined a rabid local abolitionist, to defend their rights as citizens and to help rid Kansas of the horrors of slavery.
Who wrote the only codification of the entire gamut of Jewish law?
Maimonides wrote the only codification of the entire gamut of Jewish law-the Mishnah only includes those matters that were not common practice and could come to be forgotten. And the Shulchan Aruch includes only those matters that apply in the time of exile. And he wrote in a concise style with great precision.
Can you denigrate a servant?
So, too, you should not denigrate a servant, neither physically nor verbally. The Torah made him your servant to do work, not to be disgraced. Do not treat him with constant screaming and anger, rather speak with him pleasantly and listen to his complaints.
When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong?
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
What does the Bible say about keeping Passover?
If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”.
Why does the Levite come and eat?
And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.
What to do when your brother becomes poor?
“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.
What does the Bible say about the sorcerers?
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death?
Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
What does the Bible say about governing authorities?
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
What is the Torah about?
Although it sanctions the institution of slavery, biblical law begins the process toward abolition, a process still unresolved in various parts of the world, by regulating and restricting the absolute control a master could exercise over an Israelite slave.
Which jurisprudence was used to govern the treatment of Hebrew slaves?
In the first centuries of the Common Era, rabbinic jurisprudence, which often revised biblical law to accord with its own conceptions of law and morality, advanced the biblical rules governing the treatment of Hebrew slaves in further humane directions.
What is the metaphysical standard of imitatio dei?
It elevates the equalization of another human being to a metaphysical standard of imitatio dei, and one which emulates the specific divine trait that grounds all of human existence in the “mercy” that establishes a common human form and that is blind to contingent differences.
What is the parallel between the Israelite owner and the Israelites?
By invoking the opening line of the Decalogue, Nahmanides creates a parallel between the Israelite owner freeing his slaves and God freeing the enslaved Israelites; thus by releasing the Hebrew slave, the Israelite owner follows in God’s ways ( imitatio dei ), as a liberator.
What does Ps 145:9 mean?
#N#Ps. 145:9 then delivers the philosophical and theological coup de grace to slavery. If God’s “beneficence” is manifest in the equality inherent in human beings “at their creation,” then to exert mastery over another human being subverts God’s governance and constitutes an act contra deum rather than imitatio dei .
Who was the first to take a step towards a more humane treatment of gentile slaves?
Moses Maimonides (1138-1205) is the first to take a big step towards a more humane treatment of gentile slaves. In the final section of his Laws of Slavery, Maimonides, expresses moral discomfort with the idea, endorsed by the Torah, that an Israelite master is to work his non-Israelite slaves with harsh labor ( pharekh ), [6] which he defines as ( Mishneh Torah, “Laws of Slaves” 1:6):
Is it permissible to have a Canaanite slave perform excruciating labor?
Although this is the law, the attribute of piety and the ways of wisdom is for a person to be compassionate and to pursue justice, not to excessively burden his slaves, nor cause them distress. Feed slaves well.
What is the Torah perspective on immigration?
A Torah Perspective on National Borders and Illegal Immigration. The issue of immigration has figured in American politics for many years. Politicians have used it as a banner issue in many campaigns, and proponents of both the closed and the open door, or of amnesty or enforcement for illegals, have used their immigration stance as ...
What is the Talmud saying about tough decisions?
Building on this, the Talmud asserts that a community can forbid competition that is so cutthroat as to be unconcerned with its effect on another’s livelihood.
What is the relationship between the newcomer and the current citizen?
Both the newcomer and the current citizen are obligated by the bonds of a common humanity to respect each other: the community by acceptance of their persons, and the immigrants by the acceptance of the community’s laws and way of life . The Bible is offering no privileges without the responsibilities of the law.
What is Jewish law about charity?
With regards to charity when there are limited resources, Jewish law sets clear guidelines for our priorities. Poor relatives come before others, and the poor of our own city come before the poor of another city. 13 It is implicit that this principle applies not only to charity but to other economic questions as well, for limited resources will always require tough decisions to be made. And for tough decisions to be made well, a sound order of priorities is needed.
What was burned into our minds?
Burned into our minds are images like those of the hundreds of refugees on the S. Louis, seeking to escape Hitler, being refused entrance to the United States and Cuba. Instead of being offered a haven from the storm, these Jews were sent back to Europe while Coast Guard boats patrolled to make sure no one slipped off.
What does it mean to be an asylum seeker in the Bible?
Asylum seekers — individuals who ask to live in another country to escape severe religious or political persecution or another violation of their human rights. These people would not return home unless the reason for their move came to an end.
Why did Moses not sell the land?
Moses instructed the Israelites not to sell any of the land permanently, because the land belonged to God and they were only foreigners living there (Leviticus 25:23). Think of how graciously God treats us, the foreigners living in his world.
What was the purpose of the tithe collected by the priests?
Some of the tithe collected by the priests was to be used to not only feed them and their families, but also to help provide food for foreigners, widows, and orphans (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Also, farmers were instructed to leave the gleanings of their fields for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 23:22).
What is the difference between refugees and migrants?
Refugees — people who have been forced to leave their nation due to violent conflict or war. These people want to return to their country once the war or conflict is over. These situations often lead to years of displacement. Migrants — those who have chosen to leave their home country, mainly to escape poverty.
How many refugees are there in the world?
Refugees then and now can end up living elsewhere for a short time or for many years. Of the 25.4 million refugees in the world today, more than 14 million have been out of their country for more than five years. Of these, 3.5 million have been refugees between 10 and 37 years. And another 3 million have been displaced for 37-plus years — that’s ...
What did the Miscellaneous Instructions in the Law do?
Miscellaneous instructions in the Law made sure foreigners were included in the Jewish community. They included provisions for them to be treated equally under the law and to be included in festivals and celebrations of the community.
Who invited angelic visitors into his tent?
For example, Abraham invited the angelic visitors into his tent and provided a lavish meal for them (Genesis 18:1-15). Even so, strangers among the different tribal groups were looked at with suspicion, often conned or taken advantage of, and not treated well, especially if they were poor.
What does the Bible say about foreigners?
Some texts even go so far as to say that many foreigners will become part of God’s people. Second and Third Isaiah call on Israel to be a “light to the nations” ( Isa 49:6) and include foreigners ( Isa 56:3-7) even to the surprising extent that foreigners may serve as priests.
What is the definition of foreigners in the Bible?
foreigners. Jews who live outside of Israel or any people living outside of their native land. general condition of living away from ones homeland or specifically the Babylonian captivity. A West Semitic language, in which most of the Hebrew Bible is written except for parts of Daniel and Ezra.
What is the second Isaiah?
Isaiah 40-66 , or "Second Isaiah," so called because the author is different from and later than the author of Isaiah 1-39; sometimes also subdivided into Deutero-Isaiah (chapters 40-55) and Trito-Isaiah ("Third Isaiah," chapters 56-66).
Which transjordanian people are depicted both positively and negatively?
The Transjordanian peoples (Ammon, Moab, and Edom) are depicted both positively and negatively—sometimes within the same book! For example, Deuteronomy states that the Ammonites and Edomites are to be left to live in their lands in peace ( Deut 2:4-5, Deut 2:19, Deut 23:7 ).
What does Leviticus say about mixed marriages?
Furthermore, Leviticus explicitly allows slaves to be taken from among the “aliens residing with you” ( Lev 25:44-46 ). In the postexilic period, Ezra and Nehemiah’s horror of mixed marriages represents an opinion that such mixing is dangerous to the survival of the Jewish people ( Ezra 9, Neh 9:2 ).
Where is Transjordan in the Bible?
The Transjordan is the region east of the Jordan River in the Southern Levant, described in Numbers 34:15 as home to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh. The Transjordan was also home to the Ammonites and the Moabites. Related to tribes, especially the so-called ten tribes of Israel. 1Sam 27.
Does Deuteronomy allow slaves?
Although Deuteronomy permits taking foreign peoples as slaves, their treatment is to be tempered by the realization that “you were a slave in the land of Egypt” ( Deut 5:15, Deut 15:15, Deut 16:12, Deut 24:18 ).