As a young boy I had minimal exposure nor knowledge of the Jewish faith.
I do remember attending a Jewish wedding with my parents in Tokyo as a young boy. It was a truly traditional Jewish wedding.
The next incident I recall was watching the 1965 World Series when I learned Sandy Koufax was Jewish and opted to not pitch the first game, which fell on Yom Kippur.
He shocked the baseball world when he put his observance of the holy day above starting Game 1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Over the next 10 years of life, I was not aware of any Jewish acquaintances.
Then, after my first failed marriage, I actually dated a young Israeli mother in the San Fernando Valley. and a teacher in a Catholic School. Sara even coaxed me as as a Hebrew student while instructing her 5-year old son the basics of her first language.
I did learn about Israeli customs but not much about her religion. The relationship was cut short as I moved out of the area.
My first real awareness of Judaism came once I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord. Two biblical studies were significant in my early years as a follower of Christ.
Kerygma and Experiencing God were both instrumental in helping me to finally fathom the significance of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the scheme of God’s Perfect Plan for mankind. Those two studies greatly increased my respect, for my Jewish neighbors.
Much of my study of God’s Word these past 30 years has been in the Old Testament. Let me suggest you consider reading the Book of Genesis and learn about God’s covenant with Abram, His close relationship with Isaac and Isaac’s son, Jacob.
And, of course Jacob, later known as Israel, and his 12 sons born to Leah and Rachel (Laban’s daughters) and their maid servants.
The life of Joseph culminates with his death after reuniting his family in Egypt in the Valley of Goshen. Then you will want to read the Book of Exodus and see how God took Moses from 40 years in pharaoh’s royal palace, then another 40 years herding sheep and goats with his father-in-law, Jethro, and his family only to be called by God to take his people out of Egypt to the Promised Land.
The Book of Genesis will also introduce you to Isaac’s half-brother, Ishmael, and Jacob’s older twin brother, Esau, both of whom represent the beginning of the nomadic tribes of the Middle East.
Yes, there is much animosity that has been brewing for thousands of years and will continue until Jesus returns.
There’s so much more I want to share about God’s chosen people and my thoughts will need to follow in Part II. Be kind to them!