Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Now more than ever, gentiles are an integral part of the Jewish community. But they are not new to the Jewish story. In fact, righteous gentiles go back to Abraham. The story of the Jewish people can't be told without them. This engaging book is an informative and inspiring look at the sympathetic non-Israelite characters of the Hebrew Bible and the redemptive relationships they had with the Jewish people. Relying on biblical and extra-biblical sources, it introduces each character, drawing lessons from the life of each that will be relevant to the reader, whether Jewish or Christian. They include: Melchizedek, king and priest of Salem Hagar and Ishmael, castaways of Abraham's family Tamar, seducer and moral tutor of Judah Asnat, wife of Joseph Shifra and Puah, midwives of Egypt Batya, daughter of Pharoah and foster mother of Moses Jethro, father-in-law of Moses Balaam, heathen prophet Rahav, sympathetic prostitute King Hyram of Tyre, who helped build the First Temple more
Synopsis
Who are the ancient role models for the sacred relationship
between Jews and non-Jews today?
Now more than ever, gentiles are an integral part of the Jewish community. But they are not new to the Jewish story. In fact, righteous gentiles go back to Abraham. The story of the Jewish people can't be told without them.
Noted author and educator Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin provides an informative and inspiring look at the sympathetic non-Israelite characters of the Hebrew Bible and the redemptive relationships they had with the Jewish people. Relying on biblical and extra-biblical sources, he introduces each character, drawing lessons from the life of each that will be relevant to you, whatever your faith tradition. They include the ...
- First gentile to bless a Jew
- First woman to hear the Divine voice and save a Jewish baby
- First teacher of morality to the Jews
- First gentile mother of Jewish children
- Gentile midwives who invented civil disobedience
- Mother of Moses and nurturer of the Jewish people
- Father-in-law and teacher of Moses
- First "gentile Zionist"
- Gentile warrior who fought for the Israelites
- Gentile contractor for Solomon's Temple
- Gentiles who acknowledged God and repented
- Creator of the Second Jewish Commonwealth
Synopsis
Through the redemptive relationships that Jews have had with the gentile world, something truly does happen. Sacred molecules travel back and forth between the precious metals of our lives. That is why it is important that gentiles, no less than Jews, engage these worthy biblical characters. Their stories testify to the power and possibility of redemptive relationships between all people of faithand this
lesson becomes more important with every passing year.
from the Introduction
Employing wit and vision, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin reintroduces us to fifteen righteous gentiles. We walk among the kings and common people of the Hebrew Bible, and join hands with theologians, historians, journalists and other luminaries from present and ancient days, to learn important and timeless lessons in respect and love.