Hemant Mehta is arguing with Christians, but he’s making cogent points we could all benefit from. The essence of his litany is that Christians (he could have addressed Muslims as well) are driven by a need to spread their faith around the globe, whether through persuasion or, should the occasion call for it, by applying a little pressure.
Jews, for the most part, don’t believe the whole world should become Jewish. The opposite is true. While we feel that the whole world would do well to live according to the rules of the Torah intended for them, as interpreted by our sages, it’s OK if they stay Christian, Muslim or even pagan and atheist with a strong sense of right and wrong and a passion for fairness.
For Jews, faith is a personal choice, taken through an intellectual process. We don’t trust religious impulses and emotional appeals. Give us a good book to figure out.
Which is why I enjoyed immensely Mehta’s entertaining clip. He would make a great Jew.
