We learned in class that parashat Toldot, refers to both geneology and stories, and that the geneologies of the "bad people" who did not follow Gods ways were told while the stories of the "good people" who went in derech hashem were told. We also said that this is in order to trace down where we came from. (In the end we are all split up from the 12 tribes)
I think that it is so strange how always one person in the family did the wrong thing and did not follow Gods wishes, but in the end, did God really punish them? The non Jews in this day and age have it really nice, and they live a good life. It is not like the people who do better deeds get a better life and rewards (At least in this life).
I am confused about this idea of us being the chosen nation being such a good think, and an advantage if we have more chances to fail (Since we have many more mitzwot to follow, clearly 613 mitzwot is much harder to complete than 7)
What do you guys think about this? Am I alone on this one or am I missing something?
I think that it is so strange how always one person in the family did the wrong thing and did not follow Gods wishes, but in the end, did God really punish them? The non Jews in this day and age have it really nice, and they live a good life. It is not like the people who do better deeds get a better life and rewards (At least in this life).
I am confused about this idea of us being the chosen nation being such a good think, and an advantage if we have more chances to fail (Since we have many more mitzwot to follow, clearly 613 mitzwot is much harder to complete than 7)
What do you guys think about this? Am I alone on this one or am I missing something?
No you are not alone! Don't worry! I always get what you're trying to say, Sharon. I don't really get it either.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't get at all is why anyone would be punished for the sins that thousands of generations before them did. Like "oh we're better than you because we're a descendant from a good guy and you're a descendant from a bad guy." No. Actually, you're good if you're a good person, not if your predecessors were good people. Therefore, it's not fair for the non-Jews to be seen as like "not chosen people" --they didn't even get a chance!
Is that kindve what you were saying? Maybe?