Faith

As you and your family are enjoying a nice BBQ of beef  I’ll probably be having a slice of cheesecake. This is not because I became a dairytarian (made up word)  but because it’s Shavuot (a real word).  Shavuot celebrates the anniversary when G-D gave the entire Torah to the Jewish people so you can imagine it’s a pretty big deal and we spend a great deal of time studying and discussing the greatest of books.  We also eat a great deal of cheesecake and dairy products during this time here are several reasons (below). As you can see (below) we as Jews find plenty of ways to discuss and debate the why,what, when and even where of many  issues even to this day.

1. A sage discovered that the initials of the four Hebrew words in Numbers 28:26, which describe the sacrificial meal offering on Shavuot, spell mei halav (from milk), suggesting that dairy food is the acceptable dinner for the festival

2. At Sinai, the Israelites were considered to be as innocent as newborns, whose food is milk.

3. Some derive the practice directly from scripture, saying we eat dairy to symbolize the “land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8) promised to the Israelites, or that “milk and honey are under your tongue” (Song of Songs 4:11).

4. These passages, along with “The precepts of the Lord are… sweeter than honey” (Psalm 19:9-11) also indicate we should eat honey, which is customary in some communities.

As a practicing Jew I have listened to televangelist all my life not because I’m moving to the Christian faith but because there’s no Rabbi in this field.  The truth is that those televangelist have many things in common with my faith ( excluding the Jesus aspect) and I always enjoy a different perspective on the way of the world and it’s higher purpose.  Yet I’m bothered that there is no Rabbi that has taken to air waves like my Christian brothers and sisters have it’s not like we have a packed house at our local synagogue everyday.  The wonderful messages I hear from my rabbi every Shabbos are only heard by a few and I believe that this is a shame.  It’s time that a Rabbi took up to the plate or pulpit and preached there message to the people as well and spread the good news from a Jewish perspective.

Of course most people who observe the Sabbath do it for the religious reasons but it’s also a great way to deal with social life pressures as well.  For those that observe this day of rest can’t go out on Friday night and the Sabbath can end late on Saturday night as well so you can have excuse for checking out early that night.  A matter of fact you can get your need for socializing at the Synagogue as you observe Kiddish with a few of your friends which usually includes a little spirits to get you in the faithful mood.  So if you have no plans for this weekend why not go to your local synagogue, (they don’t check I’D’s)  you can claim to have some religious awakening and your plans will be taken care of by a higher authority.

America’s loss of faith might say more about where we are going as a country in the long run then any poll or pundit could predict. For as a nation loses  faith cynicism and narcissism fill that  void and  although it is good to be skeptical and have desires it shouldn’t replace the basic foundation for why we are here and our higher purpose. Many a great nation has fallen not by the sword but the inner rotting of it’s soul.  Therefore it is incumbent that we stop this trend before  it continues to destroy us from within and instead realize that our great institutions faith, family and community didn’t become great for the power they weld  but the principals and values for which they stand.

Too many people are blind because they only see what is right in front of them.  Their blindness makes it impossible for them to see the link between events and the divine. They miss the wonder of miracles simple and profound that are around us every day. This blindness is not caused by a medical condition but an unwillingness to explore their mind, body and soul as they miss the link between themselves and the creator.  May G-D open those eyes and let them see the beauty that they are missing.

It’s hard for my own ego to admit to it but I just tried to help. For without the basic foundations I wouldn’t have a leg or breath to stand on or with.  If I was born at a different place or different time this opportunity wouldn’t have been available.  Those connections that somehow came together at the right time would not have existed at all.  The truth is without G-D none of these pieces would have fit and I wouldn’t have been in the ball game in the first place. Therefore no matter how bold an achievement it appears that I’ve accomplished the true credit goes to G-D yet my ego still wouldn’t mind a little applause as well.

I was driving to the gym when I saw a cop stop a beautiful sports car on a major highway in my town. That car appeared to being going to the same gym I attended but when I tried to find this individual he was no where to be found.  I left the gym and starting driving home when I was stopped at a red light and for some reason looked to my right to see that beautiful sports car next to me. We had a 30 second discussion about his incident with the police and were on our way.  It never stops amazing me how G-D has his own watch and makes sure the timing hits when you least expect it.

When you’re over stressed from “Life’s challenges” it’s important to have a symbol/ritual that takes you to a higher purpose.  Words of comfort can sometimes lower the temperature for a moment but a true faith ritual can bring you back to the path of comfort and understanding.  That’s why it’s important to drop off all your business problems and even thoughts before the Sabbath and pick them up after (trust me they’ll be there). Whether these spiritual rituals occur at a certain time every day or certain periods of your life having them will give you a balance between the here and now and the here and after. Taking the time to perform a spiritual ritual will give you the time to be closer to G-D and see the many pieces that your busy, stressful schedule might be missing.