Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 6 down vote favorite

I've read the topic of whether or not God discriminates between Jews and non-Jews, but does God love non-Jews? Does it say anywhere that He does love non-Jews. I don't believe that God hates non-Jews or that Jews should hate non-Jews. I ask because someone is putting these questions to me and I am not sure how to answer all of them.

share|improve this question
1  
Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/14460/… and the questions linked in the comments there. – Isaac Moses Oct 18 '12 at 16:01
1  
...especially judaism.stackexchange.com/q/4130 – msh210♦ Oct 18 '12 at 16:04
Also possibly related: judaism.stackexchange.com/a/10207 – msh210♦ Oct 18 '12 at 16:11
2  
@SethJ "But what kind of Jew responds to salient questions with unequivical monosyllables? Certainly, not the traditional kind." -- HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein, Leaves of Faith 2 (p. 33) – Double AA♦ Oct 18 '12 at 17:14
2  
@SethJ I've edited my question with an explanation as to why I am asking it. My intention is not to offend anyone and I'm somewhat surprised by this sensitive reaction. Sorry. – Mahalia Samuels Oct 18 '12 at 18:05
show 3 more comments

4 Answers

up vote 11 down vote accepted

The Talmud in Megila (10b) relates: When the Egyptians were drowning in the sea, the angels wanted to sing God's praises. God silenced them, saying "My handiwork is drowning in the sea, and you want to sing?" This strongly implies that God loves all of His creations.

share|improve this answer
5  
...or at least that He dislikes when they are suffering. – Double AA♦ Oct 18 '12 at 18:54
2  
@doesnt to dislike when someone is suffering imply that love? – yehuda Oct 18 '12 at 19:22
@yehuda I'm not sure. – jutky Oct 18 '12 at 22:48
1  
@yehuda No. There are way more people in the world that I don't want to suffer than those that I love. – Double AA♦ Oct 19 '12 at 0:08
1  
also, see Jonah – Charles Koppelman Oct 19 '12 at 2:42
up vote 6 down vote

It is written in Gen 6:8.

'ונח מצא חן בעיני ה

My translation: And Noach was liked by God.

So we see that non-Jews that obey the laws are liked by God.

share|improve this answer
I think it more precisely means he pleased G-d than that he was liked by G-d, but +1. – Seth J Oct 18 '12 at 23:07
@SethJ I'm not a native English speaker, so the help with translations would be appreciated. Feel free to edit :) – jutky Oct 19 '12 at 6:55
This chet-nun root (grace, charm) is found in words relating to free stuff (chinam), as well as to pray not based on merit but as a free gift (va'etchanan). – Ze'ev Felsen Mar 22 at 16:17
up vote 2 down vote

Yea, He saith: 'It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the offspring of Israel; I will also give thee for a light of the nations, that My salvation may be unto the end of the earth.
Isaiah 49:6

I think this answers the question, in that God wouldn't offer salvation to those He does not love.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

That His generosity is universal and His kindness is all-embracing, as written "The L-ord is good to all, and His mercies are on all His works" (Tehilim 145:9) (duties of the heart - Gate of Trust ch.2)

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.