Don't call me Gentile.

[Catherine_k]

Judaism doesn’t see salvation (it has a different connotation) as limited to those of Jewish belief or adhearance. According to Jewish law/theology, a Jewish person is required to observe 613 commandments, a non Jew (or gentile) only 7. The “salvation” achieved is the same. Chosenness does not mean BETTER… it means willing to take on (and having taken on) a higher level of obligation. To be a light unto the world.

While Shiksa and Shagitz (the male counterpart to Shiksa) are derogatory, Gentile is a translation of the Hebrew Goy (which means Nation… or Goyim/Nations). Like any term, it depends on how its used. (tone of voice and context convey as much as the literal meaning).

 

[meltzerboy]

Really? Has that always been the case or is it something that has developed recently due to the way our culture has become sensitive about PC-speech?

I grew up in a neighborhood that was about 50/50 Catholic/Jewish. The term “goy” was used in a friendly way to refer to all of us who were not getting Chanukah presents or were eating ham on our pizza. I never had the impression it was meant or recieved as a derogatory term.

It really depends on the way the word “goy” is used: the tone of voice and the intent. I’ve heard it used in a derogatory way but that is not always the case.

Anyhow, I had a peculiar Orthodox Hebrew school training, even though I’m not–and never was–Orthodox. My Orthodox rabbi used to say unorthodox things such as: if the meat you’re eating is not kosher to begin with, it’s all right to have milk with it. Likewise, if the cheese in the pizza is made with rennet (a meat product), then having ham on it doesn’t matter.

 

[meltzerboy]

Judaism doesn’t see salvation (it has a different connotation) as limited to those of Jewish belief or adhearance. According to Jewish law/theology, a Jewish person is required to observe 613 commandments, a non Jew (or gentile) only 7. The “salvation” achieved is the same. Chosenness does not mean BETTER… it means willing to take on (and having taken on) a higher level of obligation. To be a light unto the world.

While Shiksa and Shagitz (the male counterpart to Shiksa) are derogatory, Gentile is a translation of the Hebrew Goy (which means Nation… or Goyim/Nations). Like any term, it depends on how its used. (tone of voice and context convey as much as the literal meaning).

I fully agree with your understanding of Judaism’s interpretation of salvation and chosenness.

 

[chosen_people]

I think its like being called an infidel by a Muslim radical; I don’t know why we are suppose to be sensitive to this cultural religion of people when they have a special name for everyone that isn’t in their group in this politically correct world. I think its a double standard; I’m not one of "God’s people "

On that other note, I had found out the Mormons do call all others Gentiles who aren’t in their church, I don’t think I’ll be going back there anytime soon, LOL

Cheers!

Judaism teaches that it is easier for the Gentile than for the Jew to get into the world to come as they have only to follow the seven Noahide commandments. Judaism therefore is a true universal religion. You do not have to be born a Jew or accept Judaism for redemption. In the book of Yonah (Jonah) we see Jonah being sent by God to a foreign place for the redemption of a Gentile city which is in fact granted redemption (Christians seem to miss the point of this book). There is one God and He is the God of all and we are His children. We can therefore see why it is neither necessary or desirable to encourage conversion to Judaism though Judaism allows and fully accepts converts.

So the comparison to the word infidel is incorrect. Judaism speaks to the equality of all men - to the concept of the Righteous Gentile.

So what does the Gentile mean. It is the Latin translation to the Hebrew word “גוי” (goy) in the Jewish scriptures. The meaning of that word is nation or people. In fact, God says to Abraham that form him will come a great גוי - nation,people. In other words there is nothing derogatory in the word or in its use.