Choosing Judaism, or commiting to practice it is not an easy path. It requires making difficult choices, shunning some of your most compelling desires, and living a spiritually disciplined life. There is no phrase that you can utter or simple ritual that you can undergo to instantly become Jewish.
Moreover, Jews have been for many centuries, and continue to be, the object of intense, irrational, and often murderously violent hatred. Therefore embracing a Jewish identity carries with it the sad and unfortunate consequence of being a potential target for anti-Jewish bigotry. Millions of Jews throughout history have died as martyrs for their faith. In Hebrew there is a phrase for this martyrdom:
"Kiddush Hashem" - To Sanctify the Holy Name
Additionally, insults, and slights which you would have never taken notice of before will now be a personal affront. Your friends and family may look at you differently, and people whom you have known for many years may suddenly treat you differently. You may find yourself dragged into uncomfortable conversations about a variety of issues that never would have concerned you before. You will have to be prepared to face a new kind of prejudice. And it will not always be easy.
But if you choose to follow the path of Judaism, you will see why so many people have been willing to sacrifice so much, including their very lives, for the faith.
Judaism is a universal faith. The God of Israel is the God of all humanity and all creation. To be Jewish means believing that all people are created in the Image of God - human life is precious and must be protected. But Judaism is more than simply theology, or religion as commonly perceieved in the western world; Judaism is a way of life. Being a good, and just, and God-fearing person is not easy; we are not born with an inate knowledge of right and wrong. Religion tells us, through communing with God, and adherence to His laws, how to be good people. For every issue that arises in your life, there is a moral implication, and Judaism provides the means of arriving at the most ethically correct answers.
Judaism is a treasure trove of wisdom and ethics and spirituality to guide us through life's challenges. Judaism helps us to mourn our losses, celebrate our accomplishments, and learn from our mistakes. Judaism helps us to be better parents, children, siblings, and friends. Judaism helps us achieve worldy success in life surrounded by family, complimented by a structure of charity, kindness, and positive interaction with our fellow man.
3000 years ago, the essense of Judaism was stated in this Biblical passage by the Prophet Micah in Chap. 6:8:
But if you choose to follow the path of Judaism, you will see why so many people have been willing to sacrifice so much, including their very lives, for the faith.
Judaism is a universal faith. The God of Israel is the God of all humanity and all creation. To be Jewish means believing that all people are created in the Image of God - human life is precious and must be protected. But Judaism is more than simply theology, or religion as commonly perceieved in the western world; Judaism is a way of life. Being a good, and just, and God-fearing person is not easy; we are not born with an inate knowledge of right and wrong. Religion tells us, through communing with God, and adherence to His laws, how to be good people. For every issue that arises in your life, there is a moral implication, and Judaism provides the means of arriving at the most ethically correct answers.
Judaism is a treasure trove of wisdom and ethics and spirituality to guide us through life's challenges. Judaism helps us to mourn our losses, celebrate our accomplishments, and learn from our mistakes. Judaism helps us to be better parents, children, siblings, and friends. Judaism helps us achieve worldy success in life surrounded by family, complimented by a structure of charity, kindness, and positive interaction with our fellow man.
3000 years ago, the essense of Judaism was stated in this Biblical passage by the Prophet Micah in Chap. 6:8:
"What does the Lord require of you? Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God."
Then approximately 100 years B.C.E., the Hebrew sage Rabbi Hillel stated, to be a Jew one must believe:
"That which is hateful to you, do not do to another."
Babylonian Talmud, tractate Shabbat 31a
There is of course far more to Judasim than these two concepts. Under Jewish law, the Torah actually has a total of 613 commandments - known as mitzvot. These commands have been studied over the centuries and thousands of volumes have been written upon the proper application of law under virtually every circumstance. And indeed very good men and women continue to study the Torah and strive to demonstrate its continuing relevance and vitality in today's world.
There are many streams of Judaism; Reform, Reconstructionsist, Conservative, Orthodox, Karaism. There is mystical Judaism focusing on the study and practice of Kabbala. There are Jews from Arab lands stretching from Morroco to Iraq, Iranian Jews, Ethiopian Jews and Jews in Uganda, Nigeria, and other African countries, there are Jews from India. There are devout and pious Hassidic Jews - masters of Kabbala. There is inspiring African American Judaism. And their are convert movements throughout the world. What these groups have in common is that they all aspire to worship God and follow His Laws as one people- as Jews.
I would like to close this entry by referring to a concept in Judaism which has its origins in Jewish mysticism. The concept is called:
There are many streams of Judaism; Reform, Reconstructionsist, Conservative, Orthodox, Karaism. There is mystical Judaism focusing on the study and practice of Kabbala. There are Jews from Arab lands stretching from Morroco to Iraq, Iranian Jews, Ethiopian Jews and Jews in Uganda, Nigeria, and other African countries, there are Jews from India. There are devout and pious Hassidic Jews - masters of Kabbala. There is inspiring African American Judaism. And their are convert movements throughout the world. What these groups have in common is that they all aspire to worship God and follow His Laws as one people- as Jews.
I would like to close this entry by referring to a concept in Judaism which has its origins in Jewish mysticism. The concept is called:
"Tikkun Olam"
This phrase, in Hebrew means "fixing the broken world". There is so much poverty, oppression and cruelty in the world- the world is truly a broken and fractured place. However, through our actions, we can fix the world, and in doing so, make the world a more perfect and just place for all of humanity. That is the goal.
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