In the TV Series "The Nanny," Fran's mom (who is Jewish) warns Mr. Sheffield: "Ours is not a merciful god." Is it true that according to the Jewish religion, God is not merciful?
Thanks in advance, 10 pts to best answe
if you read the Torah or the old testament in the Bible you will realize that the god of the Jews was more of a destructive, "iron fist" kind of god. the god of Judaism was forgiving but had a thing for fire and brimstone. a good example would be the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible's old testament in the book of Genesis chapter 19.
http://www.christiananswers.net/bible/gen19.html#24
if they intended that as a serious understanding of Judaism, they may have meant this.
in Christianity, as long as you eventually believe in Christ, all sins are forgiven and you enter heaven, etc. etc.
in Judaism, everything is conditional on behaviour. no-one else can take the pain for you, you are judged based on what you do, and repentance is difficult and involves serious change of character.
however, this is a misrepresentation of Judaism. what you could say is that it is mercy, tempered by justice.
i wouldn't take theology lessons from TV if i were you.
Since its coming from a TV series, they could have taken the literal term that He is merciful God and said he wasn't to make a joke out of it. (Knowing TV humor, that's most likely the case.)
Coming from a Christian background with many Jewish friends, I know for certain that they read the old testament which clearly states He is a merciful God. Here are scriptures below recognizing that phrase:
Psalm 116:5 ASV
"Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful."
Romans 9:16 ASV
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy."
Ephesians 2:4 ASV
"but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,"