Is it true that Jewish people are taught?

Question

by their parents when they are little children that they are the best people? Comments like "You're Jewish, you should be proud."

And, if so, does this lead to a superiority complex whereby they look down on other races?

Answer 1

No more or less than religious parents of any other faith.

Answer 2

There are a couple of points in your question that need to be clarified before an answer can be offered.

First of all, a comment like "you're Jewish, you should be proud" does not necessarily equal Jews believing they are the "best people." So saying that the latter indicates the former would be a non sequitur. Second, and this is just a side note, really: Jews are not a race - not in the modern sense of the word. It used to be that "race" encompassed many things, including groups unified by culture. While Jews have a shared culture, and in some cases, a shared biological lineage (however, with so many Jews today descended from converts, or themselves converts, this is not true for all of us), there are White Jews, Black Jews, Asian Jews, Hispanic Jews... heck, I personally know several of each. So it would be difficult for a Jew to look down on "other races," without looking down on his or her fellow Jews, you see.

There is nothing wrong with Jews being proud of who they are. If an Italian is proud to be Italian, or a Hindu is proud to be a Hindu, or a black guy is proud to be black, do we automatically assume this person to be a bigot? Frankly, I think your question assumes a lot, and sets up a double standard by which to judge Jews. Unless you believe that no one should take pride in who they are, that taking pride in one's identity automatically means holding others in contempt. If that's the case, I'll simply have to disagree.

Does bigotry exist within the Jewish community? Of course it does - as it does in any ethnic or religious group. As long as we're talking about superiority complexes, it's probably worth mentioning that Jews, unlike some OTHER religious groups, don't demand that others convert to their faith and condemn to the eternal fires of Hell all those who don't. So chew on that one for a while.

In the end, however, I think one can best answer your query in typically Jewish fashion, that is, with a joke:

British Novelist Israel Zangwell was also Jewish. Upon hearing this, a gentile told him that Jews were suspicious of gentiles, clannish, and unfriendly.
The author looked at the speaker, sighed, and replied, "Yes. Two thousand years of Christian Love has made us very nervous."

Answer 3

OMG, I can't believe that people ask this question in this day and age. However:

1. You have misunderstood the meaning of "chosen". Chosen does not, and never has meant, superior. Chosen means that the Jews chose G-d and G-d, in turn, chose the Jews as the people to receive the Torah. This in no way means superior.

2. Of course you should be proud of your religion. I would hope that **any** religion would teach this.

3. JUDAISM IS NOT A RACE. Pardon my shouting. Judaism is a religion, period. Having said that we do not look down on **anyone**. Period, end of sentence. Judaism teaches that everyone who is a good person (who follows the 7 Noahide commandments) has a place in the world to come. Why would we look down on anyone????

Answer 4

no. this does not happen that I've EVER heard of, and I am jewish, I certainly was not.

and no, Judaism does not generally have any such teaching of looking down on anyone else.

in fact when I was young it was much more of a "no, chosen does NOT mean we are better"

some might say yes, but in reality this is not so. any "should be proud" is no more unique or special than someone being taught confidence in who they are, as opposed to being ashamed of who they are.

when I grew up I was (and still am) proud of being jewish. ... but not in a superior way. just that its part of who I am that I am not ashamed of.

hopefully that will answer it.

Answer 5

Yes some are taught that. But in addition many are taught that that just gives them more responsibility for making the world a better place. I don't think many really look down on other races except by the mere fact that they have been oppressed for many century's so that does tend to cause some resentment.

Answer 6

What Jewish parents should be teaching is that God picked the Jews as his "chosen people". He also called them "a stubborn and stiff-necked people". It is something to be proud of but it is no label of perfection, freedom from sin or guarantee of perfection in your lifetime. Being a Christian is the same....we are not free of sin...just forgiven!

Answer 7

yes, we are taught to be proud, but that means that we have a responsibility to be a "light unto the nations"-that doesnt mean we have to convert everybody-judaism actually discourages conversions but if somebody shows a true desire we permit them-we have to show an example to the world how to behave

Answer 8

I would hope parents would tell their children to be proud of who they are.

What kind of parent says to their kid oh your American, you should feel indifferent about this.