For those of youhoping to gain an understandingof the very basic difference between Christian and Jewish theology an article written by Rabbi Soloveichik will provide insight. It is called -The Virtue of Hate. The prayers uttered by Jesus and Samson before theirdeaths illustrate the contrasting beliefsystems quite well.
Jesus:"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Samson: "Lord God, remember me and strengthen me only this once, O God, so that with this one act of revenge I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes."
<BLOCKQUOTE>
And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, . . . [and] then Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." He strained with all his might; and the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life.</BLOCKQUOTE>
[url]http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0302/articles/soloveic hik.html[/url]
An excerpt:The message is that hate allows us to keep our guard up, to protect us. When we are facing those who seek nothing but our destruction, our hate reminds us who we are dealing with. When hate is appropriate, then it is not only virtuous, but essential for Jewish well-being.
Jesus:"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Samson: "Lord God, remember me and strengthen me only this once, O God, so that with this one act of revenge I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes."
<BLOCKQUOTE>
And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, . . . [and] then Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." He strained with all his might; and the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life.</BLOCKQUOTE>
[url]http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0302/articles/soloveic hik.html[/url]
An excerpt:The message is that hate allows us to keep our guard up, to protect us. When we are facing those who seek nothing but our destruction, our hate reminds us who we are dealing with. When hate is appropriate, then it is not only virtuous, but essential for Jewish well-being.