- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Torah Teachings
Non-Jewish kings of Israel
Question
Shalom
I am trying to determine if all the kings of Israel would have been Jewish or if some were not. I am specifically wondering about the sons of Ahab and Jezebel. From the descriptions of her behaviour in the Tanah you cannot come to the conclusion that she ven had a token conversion. Would this not have made Ahaziah and Joram non-Jewish?
Thanks
Answer
Shalom,
Thank you for your question. It is true that Jezebel acted in a terrible way, and did not live up to what we would expect from a Jewish lady (or even a non-Jewish lady!), it seems that our Rabbis considered her Jewish. The Midrash (Ester Rabba 3:2) calls her a "Jewish Queen". I hope this is of help to you,
Blessings