Faces on Faith: Let’s talk about Judaism
Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religions, dating back nearly 3,500 years, and is considered to be the original Abrahamic faith (which includes Christianity and Islam). As a monotheistic faith, followers of Judaism believe in one God who revealed himself through the words of the Torah received at Mt. Sinai, and through ancient prophets, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and others.
Jews follow the laws and precepts of the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, AKA The Old Testament in Christian terminology. The Torah contains, in addition to stories of the patriarchs, matriarchs, and the children of Israel with their leader Moses, a system of rules for living. These rules govern human behavior to promote justice, elevate our individual behaviors for the highest good, and to place compassion in our interactions with others as a primary value.
Worldwide, there are about 14 million Jews today. Yet, this tiny people has been responsible for 22% of all Nobel prize winners. This is 110 times the percentage of Jewish people in the world’s population. How does this happen? What are the values of education, dedication and, most of all, questioning the way things are and asking how can we make it better that have guided the Jewish people for over three millennia?
Why is the concept of Sabbath (Shabbat), a day apart different than the other days of the week, a core Jewish value? What is the eternal Jewish connection to the land of Israel and Jerusalem? What is the Kabbalah (the real Kabbalah, not Madonna Kabbalah), and what is the purpose and value of the Jewish mystical tradition?
Judaism has more similarities with Christianity and Islam, as well as Buddhism, than differences. What are they?
By now you may be beginning to see that Judaism is a faith where we are always asking questions. In fact, a highlight of the Passover seder is the recitation by a child of — four questions! It is the beginning of a lifelong process of seeking to understand our world through Jewish eyes. The questions we ask guide our encounter with the divine. Perhaps you have questions of your own but never knew who to ask.
Ask me!
Every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., I am at the Sanibel Deli, at 2330 Pine Ridge Road, to answer your questions. To teach, to learn, and to share. Join me for a cup of coffee or a bite to eat and let’s talk.
Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer is with the Bat Yam Temple of the Islands.