Faith

Many of us believe that we gain our strength by working out in the gym or by a strong foundation such as a brick house but on Sukkot we learn where real strength is.  On this holiday we’re commanded to dwell in this flimsy building called a Sukkot with an open ceiling to boot. The strength that we rely on to keep this weak building  (similar to the first Pig in “The 3 Little Pigs”) afloat comes from G-D all around us. For at this moment of dwelling we should notice how our lives call fall apart in an instant just like the Sukkot that we’re dwelling in.  We might get a great work out at the gym and feel strong but without G-D’s help in making our heart pump it can suddenly fall down. Real Strength comes from a relationship with G-D and an understanding that those walls we are given are as strong as we allow that relationship to be.

For many going to religious services can bore the baby out of us.  It is not that we lack the faith it is just for some  the faith service has become to be so long and predictable. Basic Judaism believes there is an important role that tradition must play but that faith can also find a more unique path. At a Basic Judaism service the tradition will continue but other’s who aren’t as focused on that form of prayer can come to a later or early service that is shorter, allows for individual discussion/prayer, and has a unique perspective to it without losing the basic elements of the faith. This way everyone can find their unique or traditional way to find G-D and share the moments together.

Money is the paper that gives one person the power to make another person do almost anything (at least some) that is why it’s so important that we try not to use it for Shabbos. For if we don’t use currency for this day we know that those we meet and things we do are truly dependent on a higher authority.  Even though we should realize that without G-D money has no power, just like breathing in air without oxygen is futile, not using monies brings this point to life.  Shabbos should be a time to think about the things that last past the dollar in our pocket such as our relationship with G-D and the loved ones he has brought into our life’s.

It’s the High Holidays of “Rosh Hashanah” where a person of the Jewish faith ponders am I living a good life? There are many who follow the path of traditional observant way and that appears right for them but could their be a different path for me that is acceptable as well?  “BASIC JUDAISM” says yes to this question for although we respect and believe that path is correct alternate paths to the faith based on the Torah also exist.

One example is driving to Synagogue on the Sabbath and Hi Holidays which is strictly forbidden by the more “Traditional Jew” because it says in the Torah one must not kindle a fire on the Sabbath and because (please pardon my layman verbiage)  some wise men also said that work includes moving a physical object from one location to another.  Yet another path might suggest kindling a fire had to do with the act of rubbing two sticks together to get heat to cook or keep warm not to move such an object. There might be other interpretations that I’m missing but we can see the basic pattern.  We also can see in today’s times how the movement of a person by such a vehicle might allow them to be loved ones they might not be able to see any other way or receive insight that they might be missing at a different Synagogue. Therefore it is possible that a greater good could be achieved in some cases where a vehicle is used then if left out.   The understanding of a different path doesn’t invalidate the other route it just suggests that movement can be made in different directions to the same ultimate goal to be a good person.

I want to wish you and your families a Happy & Healthy New Year or in Hebrew L’Shana Tova.  I also ask that you accept my apology for any mistakes that I might have made whether they be direct or inadvertently. I’m truly sorry for those mistakes and pledge to try a be a better person.  May G-D grant us all a  year full of health, wealth, happiness and peace whether you be from the tribe of Abraham or any other tribe. May the knowledge of his message of peace, love and happiness cross all borders so that very soon lion will lay down with lamb and happiness will be the heard throughout the world.

Basic Judaism believes that both forms of prayer formal and informal play significant roles in one’s relationship with G-D. It is important to pray as a group with the words of wisdom brought to us by our sages but also G-D wants to hear from us with our own heart felt message and plead.  During formal prayers you can add your own thoughts or imagery to the words on the page, to bring those words to life in your world or even focus on the key words that hold more relevance then others to you. It is important to take the time and energy to gather in a house of worship because it shows that we are making an extra effort to be close to our father and king.  Yet it is important to stand or sit with others as a community who have their own struggles and moments of joy that they want to share with others.  It is also important to keep your eye, mind and soul open to the keys that G-D has brought to you in your daily life with your own personal words back to G-D. We must realize that G-D is all around us all the time therefore we must include our G-D in our life’s wherever we go.

Many a wise man/woman will spend their life’s studying  the good book (Torah/Talmud) to find the keys to living a good life without taking a moment to see the world beside that book.  For “Basic Judaism” doesn’t stop with these important books that provide incredible insight but looks at the world and finds many keys that others might step on along their path. These keys provide a hidden meaning to life’s journey and give insight into our true path we should take. They might be coming to work a bit late and finding out you just missed an accident, seeing a loved when you least expect it, or even a simple breeze that changes your path along the way.  When we open our eyes, mind and soul we will see them as if we have spent the day studying the good book and life’s mysterious will be revealed in a way as if we opened a new door.