What kind of Jew am I? This is a question asked by many who were raised in a Jewish family, or by many who are considering joining the Covenant and becoming Jews themselves. I believe this is due to facts of recent Jewish history that shifted Judaism away from being a path to a personal connection with the Divine and towards being a system of ethical behavior and the survival of the Jewish people. Here's what I mean.
For centuries, Jews faced persecution in various forms from mass pogroms to being forced to live separately in crowded ghettos throughout Europe. In some ways, this insulated Judaism from outside influences and lead to an authoritarian, legalistic type faith, as Jewish scholars debated the intricate details of a faith that covered every aspect of Jewish existence. At times, this lead to efforts of reform such as those of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism, who valiantly attempted to expand Judaism away from the learned Talmudists and towards the uneducated masses through methods of simple prayer, dance and celebration. He and many of his followers were excommunicated for their efforts to democratize the Jewish faith and eventually even his efforts seem to have had limited effect, as current Hasidic sects are among the most ultra-Orthodox denominations of Judaism. Of course, the biggest effort of reform in recent times was by the denomination whose name is Reform.
The mid-1800's was a time of emancipation for many across Europe, including the Jews. For the first time in centuries, they were allowed to leave the confining walls of the ghetto and to participate in all aspects of society. With this liberation came the questions of how to function as a Jew in modern society and how to minimize, or even erase the things that separated Jews from their European brothers and sisters. Judaism had been an evolving faith that grew with time and sloughed off practices that had become irrelevant and unimportant while maintaining the spirit of the Jewish traditions in a more relevant form. But for those who followed the Reform movement, this wasn't happening fast enough. In their zeal for modern rationalism, they perceived many Jewish practices as being superstitious and archaic and sought to simply focus on the ethical aspects of their faith in creating a Jewish practice compatible with modern life. While there was much debate as to how much of Jewish practice to leave behind, the more liberal advocates won the day and Judaism for them became a rational system of ethical and moral laws only. This may seem like an enlightened position until one realizes that it has lead to generations of spiritually starved Jews who grew up finding little relevance in the faith of their ancestors and in some cases sought their spirituality elsewhere (such as the many that have been attracted to Buddhism and other Eastern Religions).
Two other denominations within Judaism developed solely as a reaction to what they believed to be the radical positions taken by the Reform movement. The Orthodox and Hasidic branches of Judaism took the opposite extreme and tried to hold on to every element of traditional Jewish practice, no matter how irrelevant and archaic, not even allowing for the normal historic growth that had existed within Judaism prior to the Reform movement. The Conservative movement looked at both the Reform and the Orthodox and sought a middle of the road path that didn't drift too far to either extreme. Since World War II, two other movements have formed within Judaism. The Reconstructionists originated from within the Conservative movement, but saw Judaism as not just a faith, but as a religious civilization complete with language, music and customs that were unique. As the Reform in recent years have sought to regain some of the historic traditions they initially rejected, the Reconstructionists have evolved into the most liberal of the Jewish movements. The Jewish Renewal movement has come from Hasidic traditions and is attempting to infuse Judaism with the vital spirituality of its past including the regaining of lost practices and beliefs such as meditation and reincarnation. Their goal is to develop a spiritually meaningful Judaism based on developing a personal relationship with God by relearning the mystical traditions of Kabbalah and the prophets of Judaism's past. Unlike the modern-day Hasids, they seek to revitalize Judaism in a modern context.
So back to the question...What kind of Jew am I? For me, the answer has come after much soul-searching and even disbelief. I've mentioned this before, but at age 13 I suffered a spinal injury that completely turned my life upside-down and lead me through years of spiritual questioning and disbelief. None of the Jewish movements truly fit me and for the most part I found the faith stale and irrelevant. I looked at other religions and then with my discovery of Kabbalah and the Hasidic movement of the Baal Shem Tov, eventually came home to Judaism. Today when asked, I tell people that I'm a "fiddler on the roof Jew." What I mean by this is that the Judaism I seek and am passionate about is one based on personal devotion and experience of the Divine. I was a believer of and inspired by reincarnation and meditative practices before I learned they were part of historic Judaism. More recently, I've learned about the Jewish Renewal movement and would say there is much there that inspires me except for some of the liberal political causes they've gotten involved with.
To me, that is what is important in finding a meaningful Judaism that speaks to you. It is understanding what elements of our faith are most important to you and then finding a rabbi and a synagogue that reinforces that message for you. And should you not find one that totally fits you that is okay. For one of the most important aspects of Judaism is the fact that the core of Jewish practice happens at home and with the family and not in the synagogue. It is there that you can personalize Judaism and make it most meaningful to you. The key is to remember that Judaism is a path of return to divine consciousness and awareness and one that will eventually lead to the realization of heaven on earth. One of the primary teachings of Judaism is that each of us has a special purpose here on earth that only we can fulfill and a personal relationship with God through our faith is the best way to discover that individual purpose.
In closing, I would just like to express my opinion that with the last couple of generations that came after the Holocaust, for many their faith was based on preserving their Jewish identity in order to honor those ancestors that perished and as a form of victory over the Nazi philosophy. This is understandable, as much of Judaism's personal spirituality had been stripped away by efforts of modernizing the faith. But now, I believe it is important to regain that lost legacy of Jewish tradition that we are co-creators with God and capable of a direct, personal experience of the Divine. It is time we return to a Judaism that speaks to us as individual Jews and not just to the memory of those who perished before us.
Until next time....
Shmuel
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Never Again....
This week we officially remembered the tragic events of the Holocaust. This same week we saw history repeat itself as we witnessed Iranian President Achmedinajad once again deny the Holocaust and call Israel a racist regime. While he specifically threatens to wipe Israel off the map, we must realize that Achmedinajad is part of a revolutionary regime who's goal is to spread their authority around the globe. Even if Israel was gone tomorrow, they would not stop their attacks on the West. For this is a battle of idealogy between Islamic fascism and freedom-loving democracies. If we really mean "Never again," then we must stand up and confront these forces of hatred and evil. But how?
First, we must recognize the true nature of the threat we face. We must educate ourselves in their idealogy, so we can know how to counteract it. And then we must speak out with clear conviction against this cause of hatred and destruction. We cannot hope that things will get better, if we only reach out and try to understand their concerns. For their alleged complaints only mask their true intentions. Hitler didn't stop with occupation of the ethnic German parts of Czechoslavakia, as the advocates of appeasement hoped, but continued on towards Nazi domination of the world. And it won't work with Islamic fascists either, as the core of their idealogy comes from that of the Nazi's via the Mufti of Jerusalem and the Muslim Brotherhood. Our War on Terrorism is in essence the latest battle of World War II!
But talk alone isn't sufficient. We must contine to fight for the cause of freedom and towards the liberation of all who suffer under tyrrany by whatever means we can. This means electing and supporting those officials who understand the threat we face and are willing to lead the battle against it. On a more local and personal level, it means discussing and advocating the idea of democracy among your family and friends, at your synagogue and around your local communities. It means relearning the lessons of individual liberty taught at Mt. Sinai at the birth of the Jewish faith and culture.
But even this, I would argue is not enough. Since World War II especially, Jews have been leaders and at the forefront of battles for civil and human rights in America and abroad. Some have gone so far as to even try to reduce, or eliminate the diferences in humanity wherever possible with utopian ideas of Communism and the like. But in focusing on the ethical dimensions of Judaism alone, these same Jews forgot the spiritual dimensions of the faith that so many of their ancestors fought and died for.
Therefore, I'm calling for Jews to reeducate themselves on their religion also. This is why Islamic extremists around the world are willing to die daily for their Islamic revolution. It comes not from a political doctrine outside of themselves, but from a core belief within. As we learn more about Judaism and it's true message, we are able to champion the beliefs it represents. These are the beliefs of individual human worth and dignity, personal responsibility and the human potential to ascend towards divinity and to create heaven on earth. By understanding and advocating these beliefs we can truly accomplish Tikkun, or the repair of the world.
I also believe that by relearning our faith and sharing it with others, we can accomplish another feat that has been missing in Judaism for some time and that is the growth of our people by the addition of new converts. I know this is a troubling issue for many Jews and I'm not advocating a forceful, evangelistic approach. But I do believe we must follow the example of Abraham, Moses and the prophets who taught all who'd listen with an open heart and saw their faith as having universal value and appeal. We must look past mere survival, which has become the mode of Judaism for many since the Holocaust and the pogroms that preceded it. I mean, what better way to truly defeat the Nazi's and their modern-day successors than by growing the very people they tried to destroy and championing the ideas they fought against. Then we will truly be a "light among the nations" and a growing force for good in the world.
Until next time...
Shmuel
First, we must recognize the true nature of the threat we face. We must educate ourselves in their idealogy, so we can know how to counteract it. And then we must speak out with clear conviction against this cause of hatred and destruction. We cannot hope that things will get better, if we only reach out and try to understand their concerns. For their alleged complaints only mask their true intentions. Hitler didn't stop with occupation of the ethnic German parts of Czechoslavakia, as the advocates of appeasement hoped, but continued on towards Nazi domination of the world. And it won't work with Islamic fascists either, as the core of their idealogy comes from that of the Nazi's via the Mufti of Jerusalem and the Muslim Brotherhood. Our War on Terrorism is in essence the latest battle of World War II!
But talk alone isn't sufficient. We must contine to fight for the cause of freedom and towards the liberation of all who suffer under tyrrany by whatever means we can. This means electing and supporting those officials who understand the threat we face and are willing to lead the battle against it. On a more local and personal level, it means discussing and advocating the idea of democracy among your family and friends, at your synagogue and around your local communities. It means relearning the lessons of individual liberty taught at Mt. Sinai at the birth of the Jewish faith and culture.
But even this, I would argue is not enough. Since World War II especially, Jews have been leaders and at the forefront of battles for civil and human rights in America and abroad. Some have gone so far as to even try to reduce, or eliminate the diferences in humanity wherever possible with utopian ideas of Communism and the like. But in focusing on the ethical dimensions of Judaism alone, these same Jews forgot the spiritual dimensions of the faith that so many of their ancestors fought and died for.
Therefore, I'm calling for Jews to reeducate themselves on their religion also. This is why Islamic extremists around the world are willing to die daily for their Islamic revolution. It comes not from a political doctrine outside of themselves, but from a core belief within. As we learn more about Judaism and it's true message, we are able to champion the beliefs it represents. These are the beliefs of individual human worth and dignity, personal responsibility and the human potential to ascend towards divinity and to create heaven on earth. By understanding and advocating these beliefs we can truly accomplish Tikkun, or the repair of the world.
I also believe that by relearning our faith and sharing it with others, we can accomplish another feat that has been missing in Judaism for some time and that is the growth of our people by the addition of new converts. I know this is a troubling issue for many Jews and I'm not advocating a forceful, evangelistic approach. But I do believe we must follow the example of Abraham, Moses and the prophets who taught all who'd listen with an open heart and saw their faith as having universal value and appeal. We must look past mere survival, which has become the mode of Judaism for many since the Holocaust and the pogroms that preceded it. I mean, what better way to truly defeat the Nazi's and their modern-day successors than by growing the very people they tried to destroy and championing the ideas they fought against. Then we will truly be a "light among the nations" and a growing force for good in the world.
Until next time...
Shmuel
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
People of the Book
One of the most attractive features of Jewish culture is the importance placed on learning and the dedication given to it. I believe it has been one of the primary reasons Jews have been able to survive and flourished for all of these centuries, while scattered across the earth. This has given rise to the term for Jews as the "People of the Book."
Another aspect of being Jewish that has been emphasized is devotion to family. Many don't realize that one of the reasons for so many Roman converts to Judaism prior to the rise of Christianity as the official religion of the empire is that Roman women understood the importance Judaism placed on family and were favorable to conversion and intermarriage as a means of attaining that family respect and stability. It is estimated that by the first century A.D. that as much as 10% of the Roman Empire followed the laws of Moses.
I recently came across an opportunity that I want to share with you, as it relates to preservation of family heritage and the stories we'll be telling future generations of Jews. What if I told you there was an easy and affordable way for you to create high-quality storybooks, family albums, personalized invitation and greeting cards for family events and holidays and more? What if you could take all of those digital pictures that you have no idea what to do with and turn them into illustrations in the story of your child's life, or the tale of that last family trip? As a proud father and devoted husband, I find the idea incredible. I first saw the idea at a local community festival and was immediately hooked. And I'm sure you will be also, once you see what I'm talking about. I'll be adding the link to the sidebar soon, but you can check it out immediately at www.familystoriesandmore.com. It's definitely worth the look. I'm not trying to sell you something, but just to share a way of preserving our family and Jewish heritage that I find inspiring. So if it's not for you that's okay.
If you think about it, one of the many ways of understanding and interpreting Torah is as a documentation of a family's and then a tribe's and then a nation's history and heritage. I believe the opportunity available at www.familystoriesandmore.com is a way of continuing this legacy and telling future generations the stories of today's Jewish families and culture.
Until next time....
Shmuel
Another aspect of being Jewish that has been emphasized is devotion to family. Many don't realize that one of the reasons for so many Roman converts to Judaism prior to the rise of Christianity as the official religion of the empire is that Roman women understood the importance Judaism placed on family and were favorable to conversion and intermarriage as a means of attaining that family respect and stability. It is estimated that by the first century A.D. that as much as 10% of the Roman Empire followed the laws of Moses.
I recently came across an opportunity that I want to share with you, as it relates to preservation of family heritage and the stories we'll be telling future generations of Jews. What if I told you there was an easy and affordable way for you to create high-quality storybooks, family albums, personalized invitation and greeting cards for family events and holidays and more? What if you could take all of those digital pictures that you have no idea what to do with and turn them into illustrations in the story of your child's life, or the tale of that last family trip? As a proud father and devoted husband, I find the idea incredible. I first saw the idea at a local community festival and was immediately hooked. And I'm sure you will be also, once you see what I'm talking about. I'll be adding the link to the sidebar soon, but you can check it out immediately at www.familystoriesandmore.com. It's definitely worth the look. I'm not trying to sell you something, but just to share a way of preserving our family and Jewish heritage that I find inspiring. So if it's not for you that's okay.
If you think about it, one of the many ways of understanding and interpreting Torah is as a documentation of a family's and then a tribe's and then a nation's history and heritage. I believe the opportunity available at www.familystoriesandmore.com is a way of continuing this legacy and telling future generations the stories of today's Jewish families and culture.
Until next time....
Shmuel
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Passover and a Tea Party
Yesterday revealed an interesting set of coincidences, if you believe in coincidences. I don't. I believe things happen for a reason as part of God's plan and the revelation of the universe. Mine is a more mystical approach.
Like hundreds of thousands across our nation yesterday, I attended one of the many Tea Party protests on tax day against intrusive and expansive government. I was inspired not only by the speeches, but also the diversity of those who attended. I saw men and women of all ethnic backgrounds and ages coming together for the common cause of freedom and individual liberty. Contrary to some reports, we did have minorities of all kind in attendance. Our emcee was even an African-American (for the record, this was Jacksonville, Florida). All of us left feeling empowered and uplifted as Americans with no thought of what group we were supposed to belong to.
Having been unable to get family members together earlier, or to get a reservation for the packed and overcrowded seder service at my synagogue, we celebrated Passover with our seder dinner yesterday evening. When coordinating the time, it never occurred to me that the date was April 15th, or Tax Day. My taxes were completed over a month ago and so this was just another day for me. This is the alleged coincidence that I was referring to. For I have been aware for a long time that the message of Passover was freedom and personal liberty, but would usually have to ad-lib that message into my Haggadah reading through modern references and comparisons. Last night, I used a different Haggadah which I'd purchased at a library book sale recently and to my surprise, the references were already there! I found some interesting interpretations which I want to share here.
Basically, this Haggadah interpreted three of our Passover symbols as metaphors for elements in the on-going struggle for freedom. Here they are:
The Pesach, or Paschal lamb was said to symbolize the sacrifice necessary to achieve freedom which does not come easy. It represents the blood of idealistic men and women willing to sacrifice for the cause of freedom. For freedom is not attained by complacency, but through hard work, perseverence and individual sacrifice for the greater cause.
The Matzo is traditionally our bread of haste. Here it was interpreted to be symbolic of the alertness and readiness that must accompany sacrifice to achieve the cause of liberty. We must be ready to seize the opportunity when it arises on behalf of our fight for freedom.
The Maror, or bitter herbs is traditionally said to represent the hardship and misery endured by the ancient Israelites under Egyptian bondage. But throughout it all, they clung to hope for a better life due in part to the inspiring leadership of Moses. This Haggadah thus interprets Maror as symbolic of the skilled and dedicated leadership that is able to keep the spark of hope alive and to prevent a defeatist attitude from arising.
In summary then, Pesach, Matzo and Maror and seen as symbols of the sacrifice, preparedness and hope necessary to win the battle for freedom. For me, yesterday's common theme coming together from two seemingly unrelated events was nothing short of spiritual. Although late, my Seder was one of the most meaningful and visionary Passover celebrations that I've ever had. I don't know if I've been able to properly translate this inspiration here. But I do want to encourage you, regardless of party affiliation, or idealogy to actively struggle for the individual rights and freedoms of all of humanity. It is an essential element of what it means to be Jewish. And as we saw yesterday with the hundreds of protests nationwide, the battlefield can be in your own backyard. Happy Passover!
Until next time....
Shmuel
Like hundreds of thousands across our nation yesterday, I attended one of the many Tea Party protests on tax day against intrusive and expansive government. I was inspired not only by the speeches, but also the diversity of those who attended. I saw men and women of all ethnic backgrounds and ages coming together for the common cause of freedom and individual liberty. Contrary to some reports, we did have minorities of all kind in attendance. Our emcee was even an African-American (for the record, this was Jacksonville, Florida). All of us left feeling empowered and uplifted as Americans with no thought of what group we were supposed to belong to.
Having been unable to get family members together earlier, or to get a reservation for the packed and overcrowded seder service at my synagogue, we celebrated Passover with our seder dinner yesterday evening. When coordinating the time, it never occurred to me that the date was April 15th, or Tax Day. My taxes were completed over a month ago and so this was just another day for me. This is the alleged coincidence that I was referring to. For I have been aware for a long time that the message of Passover was freedom and personal liberty, but would usually have to ad-lib that message into my Haggadah reading through modern references and comparisons. Last night, I used a different Haggadah which I'd purchased at a library book sale recently and to my surprise, the references were already there! I found some interesting interpretations which I want to share here.
Basically, this Haggadah interpreted three of our Passover symbols as metaphors for elements in the on-going struggle for freedom. Here they are:
The Pesach, or Paschal lamb was said to symbolize the sacrifice necessary to achieve freedom which does not come easy. It represents the blood of idealistic men and women willing to sacrifice for the cause of freedom. For freedom is not attained by complacency, but through hard work, perseverence and individual sacrifice for the greater cause.
The Matzo is traditionally our bread of haste. Here it was interpreted to be symbolic of the alertness and readiness that must accompany sacrifice to achieve the cause of liberty. We must be ready to seize the opportunity when it arises on behalf of our fight for freedom.
The Maror, or bitter herbs is traditionally said to represent the hardship and misery endured by the ancient Israelites under Egyptian bondage. But throughout it all, they clung to hope for a better life due in part to the inspiring leadership of Moses. This Haggadah thus interprets Maror as symbolic of the skilled and dedicated leadership that is able to keep the spark of hope alive and to prevent a defeatist attitude from arising.
In summary then, Pesach, Matzo and Maror and seen as symbols of the sacrifice, preparedness and hope necessary to win the battle for freedom. For me, yesterday's common theme coming together from two seemingly unrelated events was nothing short of spiritual. Although late, my Seder was one of the most meaningful and visionary Passover celebrations that I've ever had. I don't know if I've been able to properly translate this inspiration here. But I do want to encourage you, regardless of party affiliation, or idealogy to actively struggle for the individual rights and freedoms of all of humanity. It is an essential element of what it means to be Jewish. And as we saw yesterday with the hundreds of protests nationwide, the battlefield can be in your own backyard. Happy Passover!
Until next time....
Shmuel
Monday, April 13, 2009
Passover: As if we were there....
Each year, Jews around the world are told to remember the events of Passover and the Exodus from Egypt, as if they themselves were there and present at the time. But what does this mean and why is it so important? Why is it not just another occasion of memorial and tribute? Let's explore why and how we can and should relate our people's departure from Egypt millenia ago to our personal lives today.
First, we must recognize that behind the rituals and matzah is a celabration of individual freedom and liberty. This is important, as never before was their such value placed upon the rights of the individual verses the state, or kingdom. In ancient Egypt, the Pharoah was viewed as a god and ruled with absolute authority over his subjects..."So let be written, so let it be done," to quote from the movie, the Ten Commandments. To challenge Pharoah's authority as Moses did was unacceptable and unheard of. We also have discussed previously that once at Sinai it was Moses' own father-in-law, Jethro who formulated a system of democratic rule for the Hebrew tribes. And we know that it was a reluctant prophet, Samuel, who later appointed Saul as first king of the Israelites when the masses demanded it. It is within the story of Passover that this concept of individual rights and freedoms is first revealed and where the idea of a day of rest is first presented.
Today, we face a similar battle of ideals between the world's democracies and Islamic extremists who fight for the rule of strict Koranic law over individual rights. Rather than a god-king, they propose that a small number of clerics and mullahs, as proper interpreters of the Koran, should decide for the collective masses that live under them. Complete surrender to their view of Allah would be required by force, if necessary. Through capturing the feeling of being present during the Exodus, we can make Passover relevant to our lives and find inspiration to fight for the rights of all who face persecution and subjugation throughout the world.
Our rabbis also tell us that Torah can be interpreted metaphorically. With regards to the story of Passover, we also see that Kabbalah teaches that each of our souls are currently held in bondage to the material world through our physical existence. Not long ago, we started to explore how a mystical interpretation of Genesis shows that the "Fall" of Adam and Eve from Eden marked humanity's descent from the spiritual plane to corporeal reality. Through concentrated prayer and meditation we can raise our consciousness to higher realms and ascend back to our natural state of Eden. That is the secret of living a Jewish life...to make ordinary moments sacred and thus unleash the holy sparks hidden within the husks of materiality. Jewish rituals and commandments are not meant to be restrictive, but freeing by creating opportunity to be aware of the Divine within our daily activities. For example, this is the real reason for the Kosher dietary laws. But it is the individual's choice to interpret and follow the commandments as they see fit to do so. Again, it is within the story of Passover that the freedom of individual choice is first promoted.
Whether we are standing up for political freedoms throughout the world, or fighting a spiritual war against physical temptations, we can find inspiration in the story of Passover. We should be proud that this heritage belongs to us and can serve as an example to humanity in general. To think that it was a nation of former slaves that first presented the ideals of freedom to the world is simply awesome to consider. It is now up to each of us to see that this legacy is preserved for future generations.
Happy Passover!
Shmuel
First, we must recognize that behind the rituals and matzah is a celabration of individual freedom and liberty. This is important, as never before was their such value placed upon the rights of the individual verses the state, or kingdom. In ancient Egypt, the Pharoah was viewed as a god and ruled with absolute authority over his subjects..."So let be written, so let it be done," to quote from the movie, the Ten Commandments. To challenge Pharoah's authority as Moses did was unacceptable and unheard of. We also have discussed previously that once at Sinai it was Moses' own father-in-law, Jethro who formulated a system of democratic rule for the Hebrew tribes. And we know that it was a reluctant prophet, Samuel, who later appointed Saul as first king of the Israelites when the masses demanded it. It is within the story of Passover that this concept of individual rights and freedoms is first revealed and where the idea of a day of rest is first presented.
Today, we face a similar battle of ideals between the world's democracies and Islamic extremists who fight for the rule of strict Koranic law over individual rights. Rather than a god-king, they propose that a small number of clerics and mullahs, as proper interpreters of the Koran, should decide for the collective masses that live under them. Complete surrender to their view of Allah would be required by force, if necessary. Through capturing the feeling of being present during the Exodus, we can make Passover relevant to our lives and find inspiration to fight for the rights of all who face persecution and subjugation throughout the world.
Our rabbis also tell us that Torah can be interpreted metaphorically. With regards to the story of Passover, we also see that Kabbalah teaches that each of our souls are currently held in bondage to the material world through our physical existence. Not long ago, we started to explore how a mystical interpretation of Genesis shows that the "Fall" of Adam and Eve from Eden marked humanity's descent from the spiritual plane to corporeal reality. Through concentrated prayer and meditation we can raise our consciousness to higher realms and ascend back to our natural state of Eden. That is the secret of living a Jewish life...to make ordinary moments sacred and thus unleash the holy sparks hidden within the husks of materiality. Jewish rituals and commandments are not meant to be restrictive, but freeing by creating opportunity to be aware of the Divine within our daily activities. For example, this is the real reason for the Kosher dietary laws. But it is the individual's choice to interpret and follow the commandments as they see fit to do so. Again, it is within the story of Passover that the freedom of individual choice is first promoted.
Whether we are standing up for political freedoms throughout the world, or fighting a spiritual war against physical temptations, we can find inspiration in the story of Passover. We should be proud that this heritage belongs to us and can serve as an example to humanity in general. To think that it was a nation of former slaves that first presented the ideals of freedom to the world is simply awesome to consider. It is now up to each of us to see that this legacy is preserved for future generations.
Happy Passover!
Shmuel
Monday, April 6, 2009
18 Reasons To Be Jewish
A while back, we discussed some of the reasons why someone might want to be Jewish...either to convert, or as someone finding new inspiration in the faith of their ancestors. I was thinking about what I found inspiring about Judaism and made a list. Originally, it was going to be a Top 10 list, but when I found that I easily had more reasons, I decided to go with 18 reasons, as that is the Jewish number for life. I decided not to prioritize them as they all seemed like equally valid reasons, but to simply keep them in the order I thought of them. Here they are:
1) Judaism is the only faith that was revealed a people in its entirety rather than to an individual prophet, who then interpreted it to the masses. Judaism requires no intermediary between the individual believer and God.
2) Judaism invented the concept of a day of rest and therefore the weekend.
3) Judaism places the practice of good deeds over any particular creed and doesn't teach that it is the only true path to God.
4) Judaism is an evolving tradition with ancient concepts that still inspire us today (Ex. The Tree of Life and sefirot easily relate to modern concepts of quantum physics).
5) Judaism has a long tradition of lively debate rather than blind faith and doesn't ask you to suspend human reasoning to believe. In Genesis, we even see Abraham challenge God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, if even only a few righteous individuals could be found.
6) Judaism teaches how to make the mundane moments of life sacred through proper awareness (This is called raising the sparks in Kabbalah and is also the real reason for the kosher dietary laws).
7) Judaism teaches the dignity and worth of all human beings and has always strongly advocated for human rights and individual freedoms as far back as the Exodus.
8) Judaism teaches the concept of Tikkun, or the repair of the world to create "Heaven on Earth."
9) Judaism has no concept of eternal damnation and teaches that redemption is possible for all who are sincere. The Noachide Laws state that all righteous individuals are rewarded in the afterlife regardless of the faith they practiced.
10) Judaism is a faith that promotes personal responsibility and has no concept of Original Sin. We are not responsible for the acts of our fathers and our children are not burdened by our misdeeds.
11) Judaism was the faith to develop a system of laws applicable to everyone no matter their rank, or status. This was the first true concept of justice.
12) Judaism was the first faith to conceive of and promote monotheism.
13) Judaism was the first faith and culture to conceive of representative government, as we discussed in my previous post about Jethro.
14) Judaism is a faith and culture that values and promotes education which has helped its practitioners to thrive despite centuries of persecution and injustice.
15) Judaism's calendar is one of sacred time that keeps it's believers in touch with the seasons and natural rhythms of the universe.
16) Judaism was the first faith to substitute prayer in place of sacrifice and was the only one to never promote, or condone human sacrifice.
17) Judaism is an Eastern Religion that moved west centuries ago with strong traditions of mysticism, contemplation and meditation that are more easily understood and related to by Western Society.
18) Judaism is a Covenant, or contract-based religion that recognizes humanity as being co-creators with God. Only the individual can complete and redeem creation.
These are the first 18 reasons I thought of for being Jewish. I'm sure with more thought I could think of more and you probably have already thought of some that I missed. This demonstrates how much Judaism has to offer that is overlooked by those born into it and never considered by those searching for a religion with a meaningful context for them. Some of these very reasons are the ones that inspired Jews in the past to protect their faith with their life, if necessary.
Talk to you soon. Until next time....
Shmuel
1) Judaism is the only faith that was revealed a people in its entirety rather than to an individual prophet, who then interpreted it to the masses. Judaism requires no intermediary between the individual believer and God.
2) Judaism invented the concept of a day of rest and therefore the weekend.
3) Judaism places the practice of good deeds over any particular creed and doesn't teach that it is the only true path to God.
4) Judaism is an evolving tradition with ancient concepts that still inspire us today (Ex. The Tree of Life and sefirot easily relate to modern concepts of quantum physics).
5) Judaism has a long tradition of lively debate rather than blind faith and doesn't ask you to suspend human reasoning to believe. In Genesis, we even see Abraham challenge God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, if even only a few righteous individuals could be found.
6) Judaism teaches how to make the mundane moments of life sacred through proper awareness (This is called raising the sparks in Kabbalah and is also the real reason for the kosher dietary laws).
7) Judaism teaches the dignity and worth of all human beings and has always strongly advocated for human rights and individual freedoms as far back as the Exodus.
8) Judaism teaches the concept of Tikkun, or the repair of the world to create "Heaven on Earth."
9) Judaism has no concept of eternal damnation and teaches that redemption is possible for all who are sincere. The Noachide Laws state that all righteous individuals are rewarded in the afterlife regardless of the faith they practiced.
10) Judaism is a faith that promotes personal responsibility and has no concept of Original Sin. We are not responsible for the acts of our fathers and our children are not burdened by our misdeeds.
11) Judaism was the faith to develop a system of laws applicable to everyone no matter their rank, or status. This was the first true concept of justice.
12) Judaism was the first faith to conceive of and promote monotheism.
13) Judaism was the first faith and culture to conceive of representative government, as we discussed in my previous post about Jethro.
14) Judaism is a faith and culture that values and promotes education which has helped its practitioners to thrive despite centuries of persecution and injustice.
15) Judaism's calendar is one of sacred time that keeps it's believers in touch with the seasons and natural rhythms of the universe.
16) Judaism was the first faith to substitute prayer in place of sacrifice and was the only one to never promote, or condone human sacrifice.
17) Judaism is an Eastern Religion that moved west centuries ago with strong traditions of mysticism, contemplation and meditation that are more easily understood and related to by Western Society.
18) Judaism is a Covenant, or contract-based religion that recognizes humanity as being co-creators with God. Only the individual can complete and redeem creation.
These are the first 18 reasons I thought of for being Jewish. I'm sure with more thought I could think of more and you probably have already thought of some that I missed. This demonstrates how much Judaism has to offer that is overlooked by those born into it and never considered by those searching for a religion with a meaningful context for them. Some of these very reasons are the ones that inspired Jews in the past to protect their faith with their life, if necessary.
Talk to you soon. Until next time....
Shmuel
Thursday, April 2, 2009
God: Hidden, But Revealed
We have been taught that God is unknowable and beyond comprehension. So how do we reach out and receive a personal contact with the Divine? It's apparently possible, as the Bible is full of prophets and mystics who claim to have done so. Again, we look to the process of creation and the Ten Sefirot. We've already discussed these creative forces emanating from the Almighty, but let's explore them further.
Altogether, the sefirot form what Kabbalist's call the Tree of Life. Each one of them represent an aspect of God involved in the act of creation. I've heard them compared to an individual's talents, such as singing, or athletics. They are a part of that person, but not their entire being. The same is true with the Tree of Life. It's composed of particular Godly attributes, but does not represent the entirety of the Creator.
Here are the Ten Sefirot as described in Kabbalah:
1) Keter is called the "Crown" and represents the will of God before their is thought, or idea. It is the Tzimtzum, or contraction of God to create the space for creation. At the point of Keter, their is still divine unity, before creation's diversity. In a human being, it is the trait of selflessness.
2) Hochmah is the emanation of the pure light, still undifferentiated, into the space created by Keter. It is the concept of creation and is neither good, nor bad. In humans, it is awareness without judgement.
3) Binah is referred to as "Understanding" and is the point at the tip of Hochmah's emanation where creation's duality and diversity begins. It is the place where all other sefirot are born. It is the ability to understand the differences between things...good/evil, male/female, light/dark, etc.
The next 6 sefirot define our world through the balancing of opposites. They represent the formation stage of creation.
4) Chesed, or loving-kindness is God's aspect of mercy and compassion. If you recall, the first six world's God created were destroyed because they didn't contain enough of this attribute. It is balanced by the next sefirah, Gevurah.
5) Gevurah is the aspect of divine judgement. It represents boundaries, discipline and limitations. It is the rules that guide us and that allows for an orderly society.
6) Tiferet is the sense of balance and harmony between Chesed and Gevurah. Kabbalist's refer to it as "Beauty." It represents the Scales of Justice and balance in nature.
7) Netzach is called "Victory," or triumph. It represents confidence and leadership. When unbalanced, it is domination. It is sometimes thought of as a parent when compared to its opposite, Hod.
8) Hod is called "Splendor" and represents vulnerability, complacency and acceptance It is the follower and is dependent on Netzach's attributes of leadership and guidance.
9) Yesod is the "Foundation" and is the balancing of Hod and Netzach. It is the finding of harmony between giving/receiving, dependence/independence and is the admiration and respect shown by individuals in a healthy relationship.
10) Malkuth is the Shekinah, or God's presence and closeness and is called the "Kingdom." It is the physical universe and is thought of as God in exile. Kabbalists depict Malkuth as a divine bride, or queen. Her king is Tiferet, the symbol of harmony and balance. Tiferet dwells in the spirit world, while his queen, Malkuth resides in the physical. They were divided by the Fall of Adam and Eve. Jewish mysticism teaches that the union of Tiferet and Malkuth, as effected by humans, is the desire to reunite the physical and spiritual worlds.
When first trying to comprehend the Tree of Life, I understood the concept of the balance of opposing forces necessary to define and sustain our world. But I questioned why, if the sefirot represented the building blocks of the universe they were they described as emotional and intellectual traits? Why not physical concepts like light and dark? I later discovered that Kabbalists believe that each individual sefirah represents a variety of opposing forces like the Yin Yang. But again, why are they most commonly described as mental traits?
It was then that I realized that the Tree of Life is not just a map of the creative process, but also a path to achieving mystical union with the Divine. Like in Buddhism, the middle path of Malkuth, Yesod, Tiferet and Keter is the course to balance and enlightenment without extremism either way. It is a chart of an individual's growth in consciousness and eventual spiritual reunion, or return to Gan Eden.
I find this inspiring that our goal is to achieve universal balance and to elevate the material world to it's proper spiritual role as "Heaven on Earth." We are again shown the concept of Tikkun, or repair of the universe. We'll find that this is the underlying theme of most Jewish mystical thought. Later on, we'll explore how to practice the Tree of Life in our daily lives.
There are many and varied descriptions of the Tree of Life. For this post, I drew from the book Simple Kabbalah by Kim Zetter.
Talk to you soon.
Shmuel
Altogether, the sefirot form what Kabbalist's call the Tree of Life. Each one of them represent an aspect of God involved in the act of creation. I've heard them compared to an individual's talents, such as singing, or athletics. They are a part of that person, but not their entire being. The same is true with the Tree of Life. It's composed of particular Godly attributes, but does not represent the entirety of the Creator.
Here are the Ten Sefirot as described in Kabbalah:
1) Keter is called the "Crown" and represents the will of God before their is thought, or idea. It is the Tzimtzum, or contraction of God to create the space for creation. At the point of Keter, their is still divine unity, before creation's diversity. In a human being, it is the trait of selflessness.
2) Hochmah is the emanation of the pure light, still undifferentiated, into the space created by Keter. It is the concept of creation and is neither good, nor bad. In humans, it is awareness without judgement.
3) Binah is referred to as "Understanding" and is the point at the tip of Hochmah's emanation where creation's duality and diversity begins. It is the place where all other sefirot are born. It is the ability to understand the differences between things...good/evil, male/female, light/dark, etc.
The next 6 sefirot define our world through the balancing of opposites. They represent the formation stage of creation.
4) Chesed, or loving-kindness is God's aspect of mercy and compassion. If you recall, the first six world's God created were destroyed because they didn't contain enough of this attribute. It is balanced by the next sefirah, Gevurah.
5) Gevurah is the aspect of divine judgement. It represents boundaries, discipline and limitations. It is the rules that guide us and that allows for an orderly society.
6) Tiferet is the sense of balance and harmony between Chesed and Gevurah. Kabbalist's refer to it as "Beauty." It represents the Scales of Justice and balance in nature.
7) Netzach is called "Victory," or triumph. It represents confidence and leadership. When unbalanced, it is domination. It is sometimes thought of as a parent when compared to its opposite, Hod.
8) Hod is called "Splendor" and represents vulnerability, complacency and acceptance It is the follower and is dependent on Netzach's attributes of leadership and guidance.
9) Yesod is the "Foundation" and is the balancing of Hod and Netzach. It is the finding of harmony between giving/receiving, dependence/independence and is the admiration and respect shown by individuals in a healthy relationship.
10) Malkuth is the Shekinah, or God's presence and closeness and is called the "Kingdom." It is the physical universe and is thought of as God in exile. Kabbalists depict Malkuth as a divine bride, or queen. Her king is Tiferet, the symbol of harmony and balance. Tiferet dwells in the spirit world, while his queen, Malkuth resides in the physical. They were divided by the Fall of Adam and Eve. Jewish mysticism teaches that the union of Tiferet and Malkuth, as effected by humans, is the desire to reunite the physical and spiritual worlds.
When first trying to comprehend the Tree of Life, I understood the concept of the balance of opposing forces necessary to define and sustain our world. But I questioned why, if the sefirot represented the building blocks of the universe they were they described as emotional and intellectual traits? Why not physical concepts like light and dark? I later discovered that Kabbalists believe that each individual sefirah represents a variety of opposing forces like the Yin Yang. But again, why are they most commonly described as mental traits?
It was then that I realized that the Tree of Life is not just a map of the creative process, but also a path to achieving mystical union with the Divine. Like in Buddhism, the middle path of Malkuth, Yesod, Tiferet and Keter is the course to balance and enlightenment without extremism either way. It is a chart of an individual's growth in consciousness and eventual spiritual reunion, or return to Gan Eden.
I find this inspiring that our goal is to achieve universal balance and to elevate the material world to it's proper spiritual role as "Heaven on Earth." We are again shown the concept of Tikkun, or repair of the universe. We'll find that this is the underlying theme of most Jewish mystical thought. Later on, we'll explore how to practice the Tree of Life in our daily lives.
There are many and varied descriptions of the Tree of Life. For this post, I drew from the book Simple Kabbalah by Kim Zetter.
Talk to you soon.
Shmuel
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