Texts in Conversation
Deuteronomy 14 addresses Israel as God’s own children. Rabbinic tradition in Pirkei Avot draws on this verse to teach that being called God’s children is a special indication of divine love.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Deuteronomy 14:1
Hebrew Bible
1 You are children of the Lord your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave your forehead bald for the sake of the dead. 2 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. He has chosen you to be his people, prized above all others on the face of the earth.
Pirkei Avot 3:14
Mishnah
Rabbinic
13 Rabbi Akiva said:Merriment and frivolity accustom one to sexual licentiousness; Tradition is a fence to the Torah; Tithes a fence to wealth, Vows a fence to abstinence; A fence to wisdom is silence. 14 He used to say: Beloved is man for he was created in the image [of God]. Especially beloved is he for it was made known to him that he had been created in the image [of God], as it is said: “for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Beloved are Israel in that they were called children to the All-Present. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that they are called children of the All-Present, as it is said: “you are children to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1). Beloved are Israel in that a precious vessel was given to them. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that the desirable instrument, with which the world had been created, was given to them, as it is said: “for I give you good instruction; forsake not my teaching” (Proverbs 4:2). 15 Everything is foreseen yet freedom of choice is granted, And the world is judged with goodness; And everything is in accordance with the preponderance of works.
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Notes and References
"... God’s revelation to Israel moves the circle of God’s concern to just one people. Israel becomes God’s chosen nation in terms of familial adoption. That Israel is told they are regarded as children of God shows even greater divine love towards Israel. According to Rabbi Yisroel Lipschutz, while it might be possible for other sinful nations to lose their image of the likeness of God, this is never possible for Israel because God always regards Israel as a child and so will never entirely cut them off. This should not be a cause for arrogance or pride, but, teaches Rabbeinu Yonah, should call Israel to humility and steadfastness in accomplishing God’s will. ..."
Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, Daniel
The More Torah, The More Life: A Christian Commentary on Mishnah Avot
(p. 184) Peeters, 2018
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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