GEN1148 “I am both a stranger and a resident in your midst,” he tells them [this verse].   This paradox of the first Jew foreshadowed later Jewish existence.   Even today, Jews are both residents – equal citizens of their adopted lands—and strangers.  … Jews in the United States are Americans [etc.] [B]ut they are also distinctively recognized as Jews.  Wherever they are, the Jews represent what is almost a subnation within a nation.   An American Jew and a British Jew often have more in common with each other than with their American and British counterparts.   The Jews have a different New Year from the rest of the world’s, are circumcised, don’t celebrate some of the most important national holidays of their adopted lands, like Easter and Christmas, and are staunch supporters of the State of Israel.   They are both residents and aliens, a people within a people.   BOTEACH 378

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GEN1158 With the notable exception of Kind David, Jewish history has no famous conquerors. Conquering space has never been a Jewish pastime.   But utilizing time well is a crucial tenet of Judaism.   Our famous men are great Sages who were celebrated for using their time wisely, devoting it to the service of God and humanity, and acquiring knowledge and wisdom.   Similarly, the Bible records that Abraham “was elderly, filled with days”[this verse]. Most people’s lives are measured in years, But Abraham’s was measured in days, since he impregnated every moment with meaning and purpose.  He never squandered a day.  To go to a holy place, one must undertake a long and arduous journey, leaving behind family and home.  But to enter into a holy time, man need only remain passive, in his natural surroundings, until the sacred moment overtakes him. … The lesson for each of us in our daily lives is to remember the preciousness of the moment.   BOTEACH 156

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GEN1162 Jewish life is about capturing the moment and living for glorious times, not about conquering vast tracts of land or seizing glorious works of art. With the notable exception of King David, Jewish history has no famous conquerors. Conquering space has never been a Jewish pastime.   But utilizing time well is a crucial tenet of Judaism. Our famous men ware great Sages who were celebrated for using their time wisely, devoting it to the service of God and humanity, and acquiring knowledge and wisdom. Similarly, the Bible records that Abraham “was elderly, filled with days” [this verse]. Most people’s lives are measure in years,. But Abraham’s was measured in days, since he impregnated every moment with meaning and purpose. He never squandered a day. BOTEACH 155-6

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GEN1457 The ancient taunt of Joseph’s brothers [this verse] seems to have been adopted as the battle cry of those non-Jewish nations intent on undermining Jewish claims of chosenness.  They chose to heap pain and suffering upon the Jew to show that he had no protector.   BOTEACH 275

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