Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/349

Rh the purpose for which He has created us, and has protected us through the centuries, to be a blessing unto all the families of the earth. And at last, through our faith and our labors and our sacrifices, our mission will be fulfilled; then the hope of the ages will be realized, the goal of existence will be attained. Then, not Israel alone, but all mankind will be united in eternal brotherhood and love; then hatred and strife will no more be known in all the earth, but all men will unite as brothers to do the will of God, the Father of all.

The Bible tells that when the dying Jacob gathered his sons about his bed for blessing, he addressed them with these words, "Hearken unto Israel, your father". It was a solemn word of admonition, spoken at a solemn moment. But by a slight change in the vocalization of one little word of two letters, the rabbis gave to it even deeper and richer meaning. By the omission of one little dot under a letter, the word which means "unto" came to mean "God". And so they interpreted the opening words of Jacob's blessing of his sons, "Hearken; the God of Israel is your Father". It was a declaration unto his sons and unto all Israel of the unity and the fatherhood of God, which Israel has ever proclaimed. And the rabbis told that Jacob continued to address his sons, "Perhaps there is doubt in your hearts about God". But as one man they answered him with the ringing words, Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Blohenu, Adonai Ehad, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy VI, 4). Their words had a double meaning; for under the name Israel they were addressing both Israel their father, and Israel, their descendants to come. And when Jacob heard their declaration of faith and of self-consecration to the cause of the God whose unity they had proclaimed, he murmured the response, Ḃaruch shem k'vod malchutho l'olam va'ed, "Praised be the name of his glorious kingdom forever and ever".

Since that time the children of Israel have repeated these