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are we the superior nation?

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are we the superior nation?
hb
Byhadassah bekker
Activity: have group make a list of 5-10 prominent people. Ask how may of those people are Jewish (if they don't know they can look it up), and ask them if they think being/not being Jewish has anything to do with them being prominent. If someone isn't Jewish, are they able to be great?
שמות י״ט:ו׳
(ו) וְאַתֶּ֧ם תִּהְיוּ־לִ֛י מַמְלֶ֥כֶת כֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְג֣וֹי קָד֑וֹשׁ אֵ֚לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּדַבֵּ֖ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Exodus 19:6

(6) but you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

The word "goy" means "nation," and refers to the fact that goyim are members of other nations, that is, nations other than the Children of Israel.

There is nothing inherently insulting about the word "goy." In fact, the Torah occasionally refers to the Jewish people using the term "goy."

We see goy being used to discuss non-Jews. But, if it just means nation, then why is it a big deal to not be one?

ברוך אתה השם...שלו עשני גוי.

Blessed are You, G-d...who has not made me a goy.

Q: Thankful all the time for what we are/have, but how can we thankful for something that we're not? Why does it say, "for not making me a goy", instead of "for making me a Jew?"
Tosefta Berakhot 6:23
(23) Rebbi Yehudah says, “A person is obligated to say [the following] three Berachot (blessings) every day: Baruch [Ata Hashem Eloheinu Melech Haolam] Shelo Asani Goy...[The reason for saying a Beracha for not making him] a gentile is because it says ‘All nations are like nothing to Him. He considers them to be empty and void.’ (Isaiah 40:17)
Q: What does it mean "all nations are nothing to Him?" are we the only nation that can recognize G-d?
These are the Seven Noahide Laws, as enumerated in the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 56a:
  1. carry out justice - An imperative to pursue and enforce social justice, and a prohibition of any miscarriage of justice.
  2. no blasphemy - Prohibits a curse directed at the Supreme Being.
  3. no idolatry - Prohibits the worship of any human or any created thing. Also prohibited is the making of idols and involvement with the occult. This necessitates an understanding of the One G‑d of Israel and His nature.
  4. no illicit intercourse - Prohibits adultery, incest, homosexual intercourse and bestiality, according to Torah definitions.
  5. no homicide - Prohibits murder and suicide. Causing injury is also forbidden.
  6. no theft - Prohibits the wrongful taking of another's goods.
  7. don't eat a limb of a living creature - Promotes the kind treatment of animal life. It also encourages an appreciation for all kinds of life and respect for nature as G‑d's creation. (chabad.org)
Q: Why do these laws matter enough to apply to everyone?
ויקרא כ״ג:מ׳

(מ) וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן...

Leviticus 23:40

(40) On the first day...

We can explain this as follows: The People of Israel fully accepted the yoke of Heaven upon themselves on Rosh Hashanah, as they would recite the phrase "Holy King" and "King of Judgment" [in the holiday liturgy]. The nations of the world, however, did not accept the yoke of Heaven upon themselves over Rosh Hashanah. It is the task of the People of Israel to bring the glory of G‑d's kingdom to all of creation, even to the nations of the world, and the offering of the seventy bulls on the festival of Sukkot is in order that the influx of G‑d's kingdom flows to all of the seventy nations. (chabad.org)

As a Jewish nation, we took on the responsibility of bringing in Hshem into the world! It is our mission to bring in G-dliness and make this world as holy as we can by doing mitzvot, learning, etc., which other nations cannot do.
In addition, when something happens to one Jew, the entire nation feels their pain-the average Christian doesn't experience this. Jews are more united and care for one another.
D: So...go back to your list- do non-Jews have a place in this world?
YES! Many non-Jews who went out of their way to help the Jewish people (such as helping escape the Holocaust), and many who continue to help us today. Non-Jews are respected and have a clear place in this world, the way we do!

"About the Righteous" Story:

CONCLUSION: Don't hate non-Jews, recognize that Gd gave us responsibility to honor and showcase is Torah, and did not give that responsibility to other nations. We are thankful to be Jewish and have this ability, and must still respect non-Jews.