1) (Smith 271-72) Explain what Smith means by introducing the Jews as a people that are ‘surprisingly unimpressive.’ In a similar line of thought, explain how/why Smith concedes that a nation of ‘chosen people’ is hard to accept (Smith 307-10). What is one or more possible reply that makes the claim plausible? Do any of the relevant assigned scriptural passages help reinforce these claims?
Q1a) Smith states aside from their devotion to the faith, the Jews had no major accomplishments as people such as vast land holding, colonization’s, architectural wonders or a form of government. Smith related Jews to being similar to many North American tribes.
Q1b) Smith argues that it is arrogant or religious chauvinism that the Jews proclaim that they
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Jews believed they are held to a stricter moral standard than others.
Q1d) The book of Exodus the story of the Jews being delivered from slavery from Moses and Pharaoh’s army than being destroyed by God could certainly sound convincing that the Jew’s were chosen people. In Genesis after the great flood, God reestablishes humanity by a single family further illustrates that the Jews were the chosen people.
2) (Smith 279-82) What is the Jewish view of human nature? How does this influence their theology, especially their interpretation of the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden? Please make one or more reference to the relevant assigned scriptures from Genesis and/or Proverbs.
Q2a) The Jews wanted to understand human nature while finding the truth for life. The Jews aspire to live up to their greatest potential as a human.
Q2b) The Jews acknowledge that humans have free will and can choose between good and evil. Jews do not accept temptation by the snake as an excuse for Adam’s and Eve’s actions. Jew’s believe that their destiny is based on the decision that they make