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Who are the ancient role models for the sacred relationship
between Jews and non-Jews today?
Now more than ever, gentiles are an integral part of the Jewish community. But they are not new to the Jewish story. In fact, righteous gentiles go back to Abraham. The story of the Jewish people can’t be told without them.
Noted author and educator Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin provides an informative and inspiring look at the sympathetic non-Israelite characters of the Hebrew Bible and the redemptive relationships they had with the Jewish people. Relying on biblical and extra-biblical sources, he introduces each character, drawing lessons from the life of each that will be relevant to you, whatever your faith tradition. They include the …
- First gentile to bless a Jew
- First woman to hear the Divine voice and save a Jewish baby
- First teacher of morality to the Jews
- First gentile mother of Jewish children
- Gentile midwives who invented civil disobedience
- Mother of Moses and nurturer of the Jewish people
- Father-in-law and teacher of Moses
- First “gentile Zionist”
- Gentile warrior who fought for the Israelites
- Gentile contractor for Solomon’s Temple
- Gentiles who acknowledged God and repented
- Creator of the Second Jewish Commonwealth
"An engaging book with a worthy message."
—Congregational Libraries Today
"Excellent.... Gives us new insights into how Jews lived with non-Jews in the biblical world.... Demonstrates the lessons to be learned for our times within the traditions of the ancient stories."
—Jewish Book World
“A treasure trove…. Teaches us to open our eyes to people of all faiths among us who embody the highest ethical ideals, enhance our lives and ensure the ultimate redemption of all of humankind. A must read and gift for everyone who is interested in reading the Bible.”
—Norman J. Cohen, rabbi, provost of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and professor of midrash; author, The Way Into Torah
“Sparkles with fresh insights and new perspectives. Jews and Christians alike will be bemused and enlightened by Salkin's new look at our ancient texts.”
—Dr. Eugene J. Fisher, associate director emeritus, Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
“A mitzvah of great generosity. Will help gentiles like me find a place in the story of God's people without taking what does not belong to us.”
—Barbara Brown Taylor, author, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
1. Melchizedek
The First Righteous Gentile and the First Person to Bless a Jew
2. Hagar and Ishmael
The First Woman to Hear the Divine Voice; the First Jewish Child to Be Saved from Death
3. Tamar
The First Teacher of Morality to the Jewish People
4. Asnat
The First Gentile Mother of Jewish Children
5. Shifrah and Puah
The Righteous Midwives Who Invented Civil Disobedience
6. Bityah, Pharaoh's Daughter
The Mother of Moses and Nurturer of the Jewish People
7. Jethro
The Father-in-Law and Teacher of Moses
8. Rachav
The Prostitute Who Was the First "Gentile Zionist"
9. Yael
The Gentile Warrior Who Fought for the Israelites
10. Hiram
The Gentile "Contractor" for Solomon's Temple
11. Naaman
The Syrian General Who Acknowledged God
12. The Sailors and the Ninevites
Gentiles Who Acknowledged God; Gentiles Who Repented
13. Ruth
The Classic “Convert” to Judaism
14. Cyrus, King of Persia
The Creator of the Second Jewish Commonwealth
15. Dama ben Netinah
A Postbiblical Righteous Gentile and Exemplar of Honoring Parents
Notes
Glossary
Acknowledgments