Who Said Jews Are Better Than Other Nations?

“The chosen people,” or “am segulah,” is the eternal definition the Jewish people applies to itself. But isn’t this title a display of arrogance, and what actually makes us special compared with the other nations of the world? It is important to understand whether this status is a “suitcase” full of heavy stones or of priceless diamonds.

Many people ask: how can we call ourselves “the chosen people” (am segulah) and “a light unto the nations” without separating ourselves from the rest of humanity? Wouldn’t it be better to become part of a single “living human fabric,” since the Torah itself says that all people are created in the image and likeness of G-d? Judaism emphasizes the status of chosenness first and foremost so that we ourselves do not forget our responsibility.

Soon after the Exodus from Egypt the Creator addressed the people: “And now, if you will heed My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasure (segulah) among all the nations, for all the earth is Mine” (Shemot 19:5). According to the commentaries, the word “segulah” means “a beloved treasure.” Like a king who has much wealth and gold but keeps the jewels dearest to his heart in a special casket and always by his side, the Jewish people is a precious possession because of its unique bond with the Creator.

This bond was born at Mount Sinai, when G-d offered us a covenant. Without knowing all the terms in full, the people of Israel answered: “We will do and we will hear” (Shemot 24:7). This is unprecedented: we first “signed the contract” and only then began asking about the details — simply because we wanted to be in a relationship with the Creator. Such “haste” was an expression of love at first sight, which cannot be explained rationally — like a mother’s love for her child.

This bond can be compared to a child who disappeared for many years; when he suddenly returns, his parents do not shut the door on him but greet him with tremendous joy. So it is with a Jew: he may live for a long time completely cut off from his tradition, but when he comes to the synagogue on Yom Kippur, he feels he belongs no less than the most devout rabbi. His bond with G-d is eternal and cannot be dissolved, even if the relationship passes through periods of “the hiding of the Face.”

To be “the chosen people” means to choose G-d as sincerely as He chose us. The highest role in Creation, according to the Torah, lies in fulfilling the commandments, which requires a special, “elevated” soul. It is worth noting that at Mount Sinai this mission was offered to other nations as well, but they declined, preferring to stay in their “comfort zone” and avoid the mental effort required for spiritual elevation.

The Jewish people was called “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” This means we are endowed with the capacity to exert the most powerful and meaningful influence on all of creation, leading it toward its repair. At the same time, Judaism does not claim that a Jew is personally superior to a non-Jew. If a Jew does not fulfill his task, he may be worth less in G-d’s eyes than a member of another nation who faithfully keeps the seven commandments of the descendants of Noach. A Jew has greater potential and greater responsibility, but if he does not realize it, he cannot be considered “better” than others.

Closeness to the Creator can be gauged by the scale of the role entrusted to a created being. The more significant the task, the higher the status and the greater the possibility of being closer to the “Director.”

It resembles the structure of a large company:

• A senior employee whose decisions critically affect the success of the whole firm undoubtedly stands at a higher level and closer to management than the rank and file.
• If such an employee betrays his duties, the consequences for the company will be catastrophic, and he will face severe punishment or dismissal. For all his status, in the event of failure he cannot be considered “better” than an ordinary worker who honestly did his modest job and did the company no harm.

Thus a Jew bears an enormous responsibility. Violating his spiritual duty has grave consequences for the entire world, while faithfulness to his calling sets beneficial processes in motion throughout all of Creation and opens the way to the deepest personal closeness with the Creator.