“The Jews started it all,” writes Thomas Cahill, “and by ‘it’ I mean so many of the things we care about, the underlying values that make all of us, Jew and gentile, believer and atheist, tick. Without the Jews, we would see the world through different eyes, hear with different ears, even feel with different feelings” (Thomas Cahill, The Gifts of the Jews). But what exactly did the Jews start? What, specifically, is the Jewish peopleās great contribution to the world?
The contributions of the Jewish people to human civilization are vast and varied. Jewish Nobel laureates have unlocked the mysteries of science and medicine. Jewish artists and composers have created timeless masterpieces. Jewish ethics brought revolutionary ideas of human dignity and social justice that transformed society. The gift of Shabbat taught humanity to pause and appreciate God’s creation. And most significantly, Abraham and his descendants brought the light of monotheism to a pagan world steeped in idolatry and human sacrifice, teaching that there is one God who created heaven and earth.
But this cannot be the Jewish people’s greatest contribution. Long before Abraham, there were those who knew and served the one true God. Adam walked with Him in Eden. Noah was righteous in his generation. Shem and Eber established houses of study to teach about God. The Jewish people’s greatest gift to humanity was something even more radical, something the world had never seen before.
In his song “Dream like Joseph,” Israeli singer Hanan ben Ari links every person’s life to the stories of the Bible: “Every man is cast out of Eden, every man endures a flood, every man has some Abel they envy unto death, and in every man there is a tower of rebellion and confusion.” His words speak to all of us – we are all exiles in this world.
This exile is woven into the fabric of creation itself. The Bible begins:
The ancient Jewish sages saw in these words a prophecy of exile – that “unformed” (tohu) refers to Babylon, “void” (vohu) to Media, “darkness” to Greece, and “the deep” to Rome. Exile is woven into the fabric of creation itself, like gravity or the cycle of day and night.
But everything changed with Abraham. The Bible tells us:
This moment marked a revolutionary shift in human history. For the first time, God revealed that permanent inheritance – true belonging – was possible in this world. The era of endless wandering that began with Cain would end. Abraham was so stunned by this promise that he asked for a sign, unable to fully grasp that God would grant him and his descendants an eternal inheritance.
The prophets repeatedly assured Israel that redemption would come:
This message of redemption became the heart of biblical faith. God would not abandon His people to eternal exile. The same God who created the world would redeem it.
The story of Israel proves this again and again. When all seemed lost, redemption came. Isaac was bound on the altar – but God provided a ram. Joseph was thrown in a pit – but became viceroy of Egypt. The Sea stood before Israel – but God split it open. When Haman plotted to destroy the Jews, God turned mourning into celebration. History itself testifies that redemption is real.
While Jews and Christians may differ in their understanding of who the redeemer is, both faiths share this core conviction: the world was created for a purpose, its brokenness is temporary, and God will ultimately restore all things. Twice daily, Jews recite the blessing, “Baruch atah Hashem ga’al Yisrael” – Blessed are you God, the redeemer of Israel. This isn’t just a prayer about the past; it’s a declaration of faith in future redemption.
This, then, is the Jewish people’s greatest gift to humanity – not just belief in God but in redemption. The conviction that no matter how dark the world becomes, God’s light will break through. The Jewish return to Israel after two thousand years proves that what seems impossible can happen, that exile ends, that God keeps His promises. This message – that redemption is real – is what humanity needs most. May we see it soon.
The Jewish people’s greatest gift to humanityāthe promise of redemptionācontinues to unfold in our time through the revival of Israel. As we witness this ongoing redemption, we each have the opportunity to participate in this historic process. The World Zionist Congress Elections (March 10-May 4, 2025) offer a tangible way to help shape Israel’s future in alignment with biblical values. With nearly $1 billion allocated annually to support Israel and global Jewish communities, your vote for Israel365 Action (Slate #7) affirms the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people concerning their Biblical homeland. In our post-October 7th world, this vote stands against those who would divide the land and instead upholds the promise God made to Abraham thousands of years agoāthat his descendants would inherit this land forever.
For Jews – this is your sacred opportunity to take meaningful action in the unfolding story of redemption. By voting for Israel365 Action (Slate #7), you are standing with the Bible and for an Israeli society founded on biblical values that have sustained your people for millennia.
For Christians – your voice is equally vital in supporting God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants. We urge you to join Ten from the Nations today and encourage your Jewish friends to vote. Please be part of this historic effort to stand for biblical values in Israel and witness the fulfillment of ancient prophecies in our time.
