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no-TAYN ha-toRA.

The doctrine of choseness has been one that has come under much attack in modern times. It smacks of superiority, racism, and jingoism. But the truth is that every great national politic has the right to feel special in some way. How many times have we heard a statement to the effect that America is the greatest country in the world? That is an expression of pride and love. Only a cynic would write that off as racism or superiority. So, too, the Jewish people have expressed their own pride and love for Jewish tradition in the doctrine of choseness.

To be chosen does not imply superiority, racism or jingoism. To the contrary, the Jewish people are chosen to lead an ethical and spiritual life, to sacrifice personal needs for the greater good of society, to create a sense of responsibility in others and concretize the ki-doo-SHA or holiness that is so lacking within the world. The doctrine of choseness, according to Conservative Judaism, would mean recognizing the special relationship that God has with all people. Choseness does not mean privilege, but responsibility. It means that in a world of multiple choices, some choices are better, because some choices promote life while others do not. Being chosen is no easy task nor does it grant anyone special dispensation. In order to be chosen by God, one has to consistently choose God and abide by the will of God to the best of his or her ability, in every day of life.