Sunday, June 6, 2004

Baeck: The Essence of Judaism "In the bible the word "stranger" takes on a special meaning, since man, bound by mortality, is called the pilgrim, the stranger upon earth. God says: "For the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me" (Lev. 25:23), and man replies in prayer: "A stranger am I with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were" (Ps. 39:13). These words are commented on by an ancient talmudic passage which declares: " 'Ye are strangers with me'; that is to say: do not behave as though you were the only people who matter." Sifra on Lev. 25:23" 7:22:38 AM    comment []