In this concise yet profound Hey Rabbi! episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe demystifies the term "Chosen People": Jews are called chosen not because Hashem arbitrarily favored one nation, but because—at Mount Sinai—every other nation rejected the Torah when offered, citing commandments they couldn't accept (e.g., "Do not steal," "Do not commit adultery"), while the Jewish people enthusiastically declared "Na'aseh v'nishma" ("We will do and we will listen")—choosing Hashem unconditionally. This mutual choice forms the eternal bond: we chose God, and He chose us in return.

The Midrash illustrates this with non-Jewish prophets (even Balaam, more powerful than Moses in prophecy) receiving the offer and declining. Daily blessings affirm "Who chose us from all nations"—a reciprocal relationship rooted in free will and commitment, not superiority. The episode inspires embracing Torah as the ultimate gift and privilege we actively accepted.
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Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)
To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.org

Released as Podcast on January 1, 2026
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Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA

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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org
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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes
• For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#heyrabbi #Chosen, #AmYisroel, #Torah, #Sinai, #Jewish, #Choice, #Identity