Psalm 78:4, 7: “…telling to future generation the praises of the Lord…. That they might put their confidence in God… and keep his commandments.”

Jews praise God as the ultimate king not to please him, for he cannot be pleased. Continuous praise of God allows sufficient confidence in him that Jews firmly observe the commandments. Praise of God is the crown of ritual commandments, yet it is only a secondary means to observance; even the confidence—faith—is only a primary means to a proper earthly life.

It is a cliché among Jewish religious propagandists that Gentiles are perfectly ethical, but Jews should refrain from marrying them for metaphysical reasons. That’s counterintuitive. If, however, we heed the psalmist who puts Jewish earthly life above faith itself, ethical egalitarianism stops. No one believes in ethical homogeneity: Polynesian cannibals are not similarly ethical to leftist academics; obviously, cannibals are much more ethical. Many Americans believe that people of non-democratic countries are barbarians. France acted unethically when opposing the Iraqi invasion meant to stop Saddam’s atrocities. The Balance-of-power strategy is pronounced unethical. If people are differently ethical, it is plausible that Jews can be more ethical than Gentiles.

Observant Jews refrain from unnecessary murder of animal species according to kosher laws, do no harm to their neighbors, testify honestly, avoid homosexuality and adultery, and adhere to many other laws, which should make Jews morally pure. More pure than those who derive pleasure from killing animals, they find it impossible to love every human being and embrace deviations.

When eyeing a prospective Gentile spouse, ask yourself whether her ethics extend beyond table manners.