Faith

I do not claim to be a “Rabbi” but with my 40 + years on this earth I’ve observed the truth in my way that I believe could help those in-between. For many of my prayers although unconventional have been answered and I believe that even those who lack the training/understanding may find a closer conscious with G-D if they follow the tenants of “Basic Judiasm“.  I’ve listed (below) the basic tenants of this path  and will continue to expand on it over time. It is not to challenge those that are more traditional for I truly believe they have a clear path to “salvation” but offer an alternate vision that G-D willing will help those in-between as well.

(1) G-D IS ALL GOOD & POWERFUL- There is only one G-D and all our worries and prayers should be directed to thee.

(2) TORAH IS TRUE- This book must be followed when clear assertions are made such as thou shalt not eat swine. Yet there is room for interpretations when it is not clear.

(3) TALMUD HELPS WITH INTERPRETATIONS/CLARIFICATIONS- The Talmud should be studied because very wise, thoughtful people worked tirelessly on trying to find meaning in every word yet there might be a different path for some.

(4) INDIVIDUALITY- It is important for an individual to find their own path for G-D didn’t make us all the same. We may start with the same room put paint it in very different colors. Therefore although we must respect the traditional observations  especially at Synagogue we must also have the room to express our faith in our way (as long as it doesn’t conflict with the Torah)

(5) PRAYER- Shouldn’t just come from prayer book but in your heart and soul. Therefore when experiencing a moment your own words can and should come out to G-D and thou will listen to you as if it was written by the great scholars of anytime.

Tisha B’av is another Jewish Holiday that I just found out about in my later years.   It is a day of remembrance in which the Holy Temple(s) were destroyed and other bad events happened to the Jewish people. The problem for me is I forgot the day comes out this weekend and made plans that conflict with the standard way of marking these tragic events.  This isn’t a Torah prescribed holiday so I feel safe to mark this period in my own way. For example I will not shave at this time or drink alcoholic beverages even though the place I will be going to will have plenty of those items available.   Many more traditional Jews will spend time in the Synagogue praying, fasting and remembering in their own this tragic day.  G-D willing next year this holiday will be erased with the coming of the Messiah and true peace in the world.

I believe the good book has it right. The bible says that if an individual has an item/tool in his/her possession that is known to kill (heavy stone in biblical times) and murders another individual then this person is subject to the death penalty. It does suggest a need for an intention behind such evil but the tool has a greater emphasis.  While we have waited 3 year to determine the guilt of the Colorado Theater Murderer and will wait endless years to see this animal put to death the bible would have seen justice done swifter. This murder used an item that he knew would kill individuals, trained for such an evil act and therefore the death penalty has to be applied.  G-D’s laws keep it simple because sometimes when we get caught up on a tangent we forget the essence of evil and therefore are unable to fight it. 

I was listening to a radio show that suggested the path to acceptance of homosexual marriage occurred during the debate of psychotherapy in 1947 where the thoughts changed from the good to the self.  They claimed that psychotherapy led people to seek self desire above what their faith and values taught them. This is turn led people away from the sanctity of marriage to divorces of over 50 % and children born to single wed parents.   Therein turn led to the acceptance of homosexual marriage as one went to the path of feeling good for oneself above all other concerns.

This discussion deepened my thoughts concerning the biblical story of Balaam who ran to curse the Jewish people in return for monies and power for himself. Thank G-D that his will didn’t prevail but it led to a path for the Jewish people to be cursed, by acting with lust instead of life. I believe it’s important to enjoy life’s bounties especially when hard work is involved in receiving them but we also make room for G-D who has created those bounties in the first place.  Taking the tougher choice for good that involves pain and sacrifice makes one stronger and brighter as a diamond outshines all other minerals.

Thank G-D if you had these woman next to you or somewhere else but how about the mundane activities we go through. I know it’s hard to focus when they’re looking at you but how about the water you and they are drinking or the air that you’re exhaling as you stare at them.  The truth is in life we don’t want to appear as if we’re holier then thou but we also don’t want to take the moments for granted. When Moses was to get water for his people, who were crying out for thirst he banged on a rock and the water came out but he forget to thank G-D who helped him find that rock and that caused him not to enter the holy land. I wonder how many times we forget to Thank G-D for what we have and as such never enter our holy place.  Maybe a few more thank you’s on the mundane would give us some more time with beautiful among us.

Recently a loved one has said that I’ve become too religious to the point that it is turning her away from the faith.  I can understand how she might feel but I believe that she is looking at the cup 1/2 empty rather then 1/2 full.  I understand that there might be times that my faithful observances might interfere with her secular activities but there are more times that my faithful observances make me a better person. Here are just a few of the “too religious” that she believes I participate in and why they are bringing more good then harm.

SABBATH SAVINGS- On the Sabbath I do my best not to spend monies and although that might not mean grabbing a bite at our local restaurant I can assure her that I can make a great dish (okay good dish) as well add  $’s to our family budget and bring us together.

SABBATH REST-  I’m sure there are times that she would like us to drive around escape from something but the Sabbath rest gives me a time to listen better and help us to understand and enjoy what’s on the plate around us. Sometimes in our busy schedule we run around so fast that we miss the beauty that is right there.

SYNAGOGUE SERVICES- It’s not always the most exciting activity (sorry Rabbi) but taking the time away from one selves and praying for others as well as getting closer to    G-D helps us to see what is truly important in this life and beyond.

It is a land that truly showcases faith! For a people who originally sent spies to see it’s beautiful only to receive an evil report that discouraged them from their ultimate journey. This same people who have been taken away from this holy land 2 times only to finally return after an annihilation that the world witnessed in horror, yet brought back a country that was dust and dirt into truly a land of milk and honey.  A symbol of faith that tells the world the Jewish people are truly the chosen people not by what we have but  what we can bring to the greater world an understanding of love between people’s and the ultimate love of G-D for all of us.

Many in the secular movement will look to pass judgement on those of faith. They will search to find acts that are contrary to those believers without accepting those of faith aren’t perfect but are just continually trying to be better.  These individuals will also continually work to belittle those of faith by saying how “primitive” they are in today’s world without seeing the beauty that is found in their world. Many secularist will continually ridicule the observant by working hard to find holes in their theories without observing the bigger holes in their own lives.  They claim to be tolerant but want to silence those voices that disagree with their political and cultural vision of the world.  We in the faith community must stand strong to these challenges with respect and tolerance to those that disagree and pray that through example and G-D’s insight that mutual respect will build within these diverse worlds.