Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/350

Rh 332

The Book of Genesis

,

words every morning and every evening, "Hear, O Israel, Lord our God, the Lord is One. Praised be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever". Even as spoken by the sons of Jacob, so also with us today they have a twoThey are addressed to the fathers and the fold meaning. the

generations of the past, and

still

declare our faith, that their

God, the God of Israel, is our Father today, even as He was of old, and that to His cause and His service we consecrate ourselves, even as did the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and They are addressed also to the future generations of Jacob. Israel,

our children who

God

will

come

them and that

after us, bidding

is one and and they will be His children and His servants and witnesses, even as were their fathers. Still today the blessing of Jacob rests upon us, his children, and his words ring in our ears, "Hearken the God of Israel And there is no doubt in our hearts as we is your Father". answer day by day with the declaration of Israel's faith and

realize that the

He

eternal,

of Israel

will be their Father, too,



Israel's eternal consecration to its sacred mission, the precious

birthright of service

and

blessing,

"Hear,

O

Israel, the

Lord

our God, the Lord is One". The Book of Genesis has told us of God's creation of the universe and of

as His children, and of His His servant and the messenger of unto men it has told of God's trial and all

mankind

selection of

Israel to be

His law of

life



and preparation of Israel for this mission of service and blessing, which has descended to it as a has shown also that on this mission it precious birthright Israel walks not alone, that God is ever with it, and with all men. guiding and leading on, changing the evil which men do to good, and controlling the destinies of men and nations so that mankind must steadily draw nearer to Him and to the true knowledge of Him. And Israel goes upon its mission strong in its faith in God, upheld by His protection and His help, rejoicing in the glorious privilege which He

purification


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