Not a Pagan, Slave, or Woman. Understanding the Context of a Controversial Prayer.
A growing trend online involves lifting isolated quotes from the Bible and Rabbinic texts to push anti-Jewish narratives. These fragments, often stripped of context and nuance portray Judaism as elitist, sexist, and even racist.
Audiences unfamiliar with the context absorb these claims at face value—contributing to a distorted view of Jewish tradition that can quietly fuel antisemitism and anti-Israel propaganda.
While this is to be expected in the vast wilderness that has become the internet, it is concerning when it happens from church pulpits. A friend recently shared one such example from a church I will not name. They are not the first nor the last.
In this article, we're addressing a frequently misunderstood prayer in the Jewish prayer book (Siddur).
Morning Blessings
In a set of morning blessings known as 'The Blessings of the Dawn' (Birkat HaShachar), a particular line read by Jewish men thanks G_D for not having made him a woman, a slave, or a Goy (גוֹי), a word that is often translated as "Gentile."
Unqualified, this reads as exclusionary—even racist. Pastors looking to tie trendy social agendas into their sermons love passages like this. But what if this statement was not derogatory or elitist?
A deeper look at the ancient historical and theological background reveals the intent of this prayer and makes sense of similar sentiments in the New Testament.
The Meaning of "Goy"
In the Biblical era, the world consisted of two groups of people: the descendants of Jacob and everyone else. Viewed through a national lens; the nation of Israel and the [other] nations.
Scripture often uses the Hebrew word Goy (גּוֹי) to mean nation or people. But, sometimes² Israel is also referred to as a goy kadosh—holy nation.
In common vernacular, the word Goy can at times refer to a non-Jew¹.
Theological Definition of Goy
Throughout history, the word Goy could also carry a specific and contextual understanding associated with paganism. This is largely because, in the Biblical era, you were either of Israel, or a Pagan.
When referencing pagans, Goy had a pejorative connotation. It may be similar to modern English, where the right and left, though associated with direction, can be loaded with political meaning.
This distinction fell along theological lines, not racial. We know this because anyone could convert to Judaism, erasing all ties to their previous national identity. It is why, to this day, Jews are found within every race on earth.
Underestimating Paganism
Modern people generally underestimate the destructive spiritual impact of paganism. This was not just a theological misunderstanding but a competing system to the Torah that often promoted brutality, human sacrifice, injustice, blood rituals, abuse of creation, and dangerous superstitions.
Further, many of these pagan nations were hostile to Israel and G_D. The Bible records many interactions throughout time—and history has even more.
The Bible has nothing good to say about it. G_D commanded the Israelites to avoid idolatry at all costs, and the prophets spoke of a day when paganism would no longer exist.
Here, we see that the distinction between a Jew and a Goy was not about ethnicity, race, or birth but about a fundamentally different way of engaging with G_D and the created world.
Pagans in the New Testament
If you were a Jew, you knew G_D—and had a special relationship with Him. This is reason to be grateful. Cause for celebration.
Pagans had no such revelation. They were spiritually blind to G_D.
In addition, spiritual impurity was a problem for them, and anyone they came into contact with. As we've explored previously, this was a major force behind the decisions of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.³
Many may be surprised to find that the New Testament shares this sentiment! The word often translated to Gentile is Ethnos. Similar to the Hebrew, this could refer to the nations and Non-Jews.
The New Testament also uses Ethnos in the pejorative meaning, referring to [Gentile] pagans. A few examples:
Jesus warned against praying like the Gentiles/Pagans in Matthew 6:7, and not to worry about material possessions like they do (Matthew 6:32), implying a spiritual disconnect.
Jesus also said the righteous people should treat the unrepentant like Gentile/Pagans:
"If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the congregation; and if they refuse to listen, treat them as you would a pagan (ethnikos) or a tax collector."
- Matthew 18:17
In Thessalonians, we read:
For this is G_D’s will that you become holy, keeping away from sexual immorality
that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor not in passionate lust like the Gentiles/Goyim (ethnē), who do not know G_D.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
According to this, Pagans were not holy, did not know G_D, and were entangled in sexual immorality.
Paul, in Ephesians, remarked at how his Gentile congregants were formerly "dead in their transgressions, ... strangers of the covenant," and "without hope,"⁴ - implying that the rest were still mired in that reality.
These are just a few, but it sheds light on the intention of the prayer at hand. Thanking G_D every day that one was not born into the disconnected existence of the pagans seems reasonable.
The Blessing for not making me a slaves
There are two more blessings in this section. The blessing thanking G_D for not being a slave can be understood quickly. It is obvious that the prayer is not denigrating slaves.
A slave has no autonomy over their time, thus no freedom to serve G_D. Thus, we are thankful for the freedom and the privilege of fully engaging in covenantal duties.
The Blessing for not making me a woman
The blessing regarding women is often perceived as misogynistic when viewed through modern egalitarian assumptions. Yet, if we read the next line, women recite a phrase that says, "Thank You for making me according to Your will."
In Jewish law, men and women have distinct and important roles. With men being obligated in certain time-bound commandments—women are generally exempt from these.
Why? For many reasons. Women play a crucial role in the Biblical family structure. Their role in family life and continuity is one of the most important mitzvot, ensuring the nation makes it into the next generation.
Another reason is that it might be distracting for a school full of young boys and men to take their Torah learning seriously with the inclusion of girls—a practice I recall from the Catholic school I attended in my teens.
While it is true that, historically, Jewish women have not been obligated nor had open access to study Torah in earlier times, a ban on teaching women was not universal.
Women have traditionally been seen as spiritually intuitive and in need of less spiritual refinement than men. This is a side of the tradition that is often ignored.
Gratitude, Not Superiority
While some individual Jews may exhibit negative views on Gentiles, especially post-Holocaust, these are personal views—and not universal ethics. Every people group has its outliers.
I also feel Gentiles who seek the G_D of Israel should consider daily gratitude for the relationship they've been granted. A common modification to this morning prayer would be; "Thank you for making me according to your will."
In conclusion, I'll quote a Rabbi's explanation⁵ of this prayer:
Before we bless G_D for the universalities of human life, we bless Him for the particularities of our identity. We belong to the people of the covenant; we are free; and we have differentiated responsibilities as women and men. These blessings have nothing to do with hierarchies of dignity, for we believe that every human being is equally formed in the image of G_D. Rather, they are expressions of acknowledgment of the special duties of Jewish life. Heathens, slaves, and women are exempt from certain commands which apply to Jewish men. By these blessings, we express our faith that the commandments are not a burden but a cherished vocation.
Want To Learn More
Notes:
² ie: Exodus 19:6
³ The Roots of Gentile Inclusion: Noahide Laws and the Jerusalem Council
⁴ Ephesians 2:1;12
⁵ Footnote in the Koren Sacks Siddur.