Beloved are the strangers, for by every epithet that Israel

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Nezikin 18:5

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 16, 2025

Beloved are the strangers, for by every epithet that Israel is called, the strangers are called. Israelites are called "servants," as it is written (Leviticus 25:55) "For unto Me the children of Israel are servants." And the strangers are called "servants," as it is written (Isaiah 56:6) "… to love the name of the L–rd and to be servants unto Him." Israelites are called "ministers," as it is written (Ibid. 6:6) "And you, 'priests of the L–rd' shall you be called; 'ministers of our G–d' will it be said of you." And the strangers are called "ministers," as it is written (Ibid. 56:6) "… and the strangers who join the L–rd to minister unto Him." Israelites are called "lovers," as it is written (Ibid. 41:8) "the seed of Abraham, My lover." And the strangers are called "lovers" (i.e., beloved), as it is written (Devarim 10:18) "And He loves the stranger."

Themes

Patriarchs Prophecy Holy Land

Biblical References

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