Why Be Jewish in a Modern World? (Part 1)

Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager

Salem Podcast Network

News, News Commentary, Society & Culture, Philosophy, Politics

4.7 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 27 April 2026

⏱️ 36 minutes

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Summary

In this episode of Timeless Wisdom, Dennis Prager explores the concept of Jewish chosenness and its significance. He delves into the biblical account of creation, highlighting God's initial disappointment with humanity's failure to live up to his expectations. Prager discusses how God's subsequent attempts to guide humanity, including the giving of the Ten Commandments, demonstrate the importance of human models and teachers in achieving goodness. He also examines the idea that the Jewish people were chosen not for racial or ethnic superiority, but to be a light to the nations and spread God's message of goodness.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	On today's episode of Timeless Wisdom.
0:03.2	I realized in high school at Yeshiva that I wasn't getting the answer to the biggest single question I had.
0:11.9	And I thought the biggest single question every Jew had, but they didn't acknowledge it.
0:17.8	And that is why be Jewish.
0:20.5	That's coming up on Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Is losing weight getting harder as you get older? It's not your fault. You're eating better. You're moving more. But your body isn't responding anymore. At Ph.D. weight loss, they help people identify what's actually blocking fat loss and help increase your lifespan. If you want to understand why your body isn't cooperating, call Ph.D. Weight Loss
0:39.3	Now and book your consultation at 864-644-1900.
0:43.6	Mention Dennis Prager and you get two weeks free in the program and they'll pay for your food.
0:47.8	That's a $1,500 value absolutely free.
0:50.7	Call 864-644-1900.
0:53.9	Welcome to Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Here, thousands of hours of Dennis's
0:59.5	lectures, courses, and classic radio programs, and to purchase Dennis Prager's rational Bibles,
1:04.8	go to Dennis Prager.com.
1:09.3	The thing I want to talk to you, though, is about why we're here.
1:15.4	I have, since I was in high school, I am very grateful for my very, very rich background in Jewish sources and Hebrew.
1:26.2	It's enabled me to do all the things that I do in Jewish life.
1:30.9	But I realized in high school at Yeshiva that I wasn't getting the answer to the biggest single
1:38.6	question I had. And I thought the biggest single question every Jew had, but they didn't acknowledge it.
1:46.0	And that is why be Jewish?
1:49.0	Everything in Jewish life, if you think about, was how to be Jewish, whether secular or Orthodox.
1:57.0	I was raised Orthodox, and my whole world was Orthodox in Brooklyn, New York.
2:03.3	I was stunned when I found that there were non-Jews living in Brooklyn.
2:08.8	And not only was I stunned, but I have often mentioned this, I was absolutely preoccupied with non-Jews.
	...

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