But rather, all humans have the same potential for greater affinity with G-d, and with us Jews, this potential was then realized. The brief run-down: In Genesis 5, we see recorded the first ten generations. In each generation we have a singularly unique individual who was extremely long-lived, had a single son like himself, and "begot sons and daughters" - perfectly normal people. Following that, in Genesis 6:2, we are told that the "Sons of G-d", "took them wives, whomsoever they chose." Verse 3, is, for G-d, the "breaking point", in which he rules that no man shall live such long lives any more. Verse 4, then refers to "the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown" as the Nephilim - those that have "fallen". This "falling" is the final straw for G-d, who then decides to wipe the slate clean with the flood, and start over. G-d's initial intention was that these ten special Sons of G-d, would be mentors and inspiration for their "normal offspring" - the rest of Humanity, and in a sense everybody would be "Jewish". But when it was these very mentors that were as depraved as everybody else, the whole game-plan swamped, and something new tried. Rather than a single focal point of Divine contact, am entire leading nation would be created. Are you familiar with the story of Abraham being cast into the furnace by Nimrod (Search for furnace, here- Abraham Breaks Idols). Abraham "discovers" G-d on his own, meeting his potential, we then have a further "sorting" process, in which Ishmael and Esau, are rejected from the fold, until finally Jacob passes on the special path the all of his sons, the Twelve Tribes, and thus the Jewish Nation is born as with that "innately special" status.
If you consider this as potential, then there is no problem with non-Jews joining the fold through conversion - they have shown they have the required dedication and are willing to undergo the trials this entails, to also meet their full potential.
GAAH, I'm all out of time. Will continue this tomorrow night...
Not so much "more able"
The brief run-down: In Genesis 5, we see recorded the first ten generations. In each generation we have a singularly unique individual who was extremely long-lived, had a single son like himself, and "begot sons and daughters" - perfectly normal people. Following that, in Genesis 6:2, we are told that the "Sons of G-d", "took them wives, whomsoever they chose." Verse 3, is, for G-d, the "breaking point", in which he rules that no man shall live such long lives any more. Verse 4, then refers to "the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown" as the Nephilim - those that have "fallen". This "falling" is the final straw for G-d, who then decides to wipe the slate clean with the flood, and start over. G-d's initial intention was that these ten special Sons of G-d, would be mentors and inspiration for their "normal offspring" - the rest of Humanity, and in a sense everybody would be "Jewish". But when it was these very mentors that were as depraved as everybody else, the whole game-plan swamped, and something new tried. Rather than a single focal point of Divine contact, am entire leading nation would be created. Are you familiar with the story of Abraham being cast into the furnace by Nimrod (Search for furnace, here- Abraham Breaks Idols). Abraham "discovers" G-d on his own, meeting his potential, we then have a further "sorting" process, in which Ishmael and Esau, are rejected from the fold, until finally Jacob passes on the special path the all of his sons, the Twelve Tribes, and thus the Jewish Nation is born as with that "innately special" status.
If you consider this as potential, then there is no problem with non-Jews joining the fold through conversion - they have shown they have the required dedication and are willing to undergo the trials this entails, to also meet their full potential.
GAAH, I'm all out of time. Will continue this tomorrow night...