Tuesday, February 13, 2007
What is Jewish?
So, the beginning of the course deals with definitions, and considering how we think about things. The first part of Jewish Mysticism is "Jewish". What do you think is "Jewish" how would you define it? Maimonides gives 13 principles of faith. What would your principles be? These ideas don't have to come from books. Think about it from a personal perspective.
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12 comments:
"What is Jewish?" is obviously a difficult question. I think that anyone who considers themselves a Jew is one - a formal conversion, heritage, etc. are not required to be Jewish.
I remember a story from Sunday school (wayyy back in the day) about a pagan who goes to a very wise Rabbi and says "Teach me how to be Jewish while standing on one foot." The Rabbi says "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. This is the basic idea of Judasim. Now go study."
I always thought that was a cute story, and it kind of answers your question -
does anyone else know this story or i am i just crazy??
Jewish for me is a personal identification, one that is constantly changing, adapting to who I am. It is not just a religion, a culture, a heritage; it is an idea, a feeling that is inclusive of all the former yet indefinable simply in terms. I will study a piece of philosophy and take from it ideas I learned years ago in Hebrew school, and although I am interpreting this as such, I believe that the ideas expressed although secular or part of some other religious teaching to actually be Jewish in nature. On the same lines I can study a Jewish Text and not be able to identify any trace of "Jewish" within its body.
I see Judaism today as perhaps it was identified with before there were various factions, I see Judaism or Jewish as a guiding factor in how I live my life, even if I am not abiding strictly to Jewish law or practice. The spirit of “Jewish” is all-encompassing. The question is why and in what sense for the individual, if not what is that sense if not in the traditional form of Judaism?
Marielle, yes, that is a story from the Talmud Tractate Shabbos - pg 31. He said, "that which is hateful to you, don't do to your neighbor" That is the essence now go and learn. Some people tell the story and forget the go and learn part.
Jake, I liked your comments. They show a lot of depth. This really is the modern dilemma. Today the post modern man creates his own identity using a lot of different fabric. How does that creation relate to Judaism? While we all have individual identities, is there a way to forge those individual identities into a coherent whole that can be conveyed as a community?
From my past experiences and learnings, I believe that what is Jewish is inseperable from Jewish observance (halakah). All sects of modern Judiasm define themselves around how strictly they observe Jewish law (among many other things). Orthodox being the most strict adherence, and reconstructionist being the most lax. Though all forms of modern Judiasm have many differences, they all have some sort of relation to observance of Jewish law. Also, monotheism is another good denominator. And, I believe that any group that believes that the messiah has already come has broken away and is no longer Jewish. This is becuase no person has fulfilled the requirements of the moshiach as stated in the Bible.
Rabbi, that individual creation really is what we are trying to define everyday as we live our lives. The question of tying Judaism into our lives is that a question of the past: of how one was brought up, what was learned in Hebrew school, saying daily prayers, attending synagogue, and observing holidays? Or a question of the present and immediate future: Does one still have to pray everyday, have plans to lead a Jewish Lifestyle, raise a Jewish Family, etc? Can one fall out of connection with the world of the Jewish religion and still remain Jewish or are they only associating with the past? One of the reasons you stated in class for the disliking of the more religious groups towards University's and the academic studies of Judaism was that they see the University's as a place where one loses their religion and falls into a world of evil a secular world. Is it possible to live in this world and sill remain Jewish, still have that thread of Jewishness in the fabric that makes up ones life? By what standards is one then considered Jewish? That coherent community is one of prayer and "religion" yet today there are people who identify themselves as Jewish who have never prayed in a Minyan. I wonder if that individualism still holds to be Jewish - or does one need that community, can one be defined only by the past or is one defined only by their most current actions, and to whom is one trying to define themselves towards? The question that has been asked since assimilation into the secular world, can one work and be Jewish?
Jake, good thinking. I think the answer is yes and no. Not only can one invent their own identity vis a vis Judaism, or any other identity for that matter. But, that is what people do. From the most devout and observant to the least, life is a series of choices that are defined by and in turn define identity.
However, that being said, the question is how and if it is desirous to, transmit that identity to the next generation. Idiosyncratic perspectives and practices are extremely hard to transmit to the next generation.
What is astounding is that with the vagaries of human personality and psyche, the Jewish tradition has been passed on for over 3000 years.
I see Judaism as a way for people to personally identify themselves. In my life I've identified myself as being Jewish by celebrating the Jewish holidays, keeping kosher, going to temple, and celebrating my Bat Mitzvah. My opinion about being Jewish constantly changes but by maintaining certain Jewish practices I am able to continue identifying myself as Jewish. Although I have a hard time answering this question, I think that in general being Jewish means being able to identify yourself as Jewish by following different Jewish traditions.
I agree when people say that Being Jewish is following the traditions. I also believe along the lines of what Jake said where being Jewish is a major part of your lifes decisions. For instance, following the Ten Commandments is an essential part to ones life. One should not commit a sin against these. There should be a great significance more of good in ones life than sins. I believe the Ten Commandments is an important part in being Jewish and living ones life. With that being said, one who ONLY follows the Ten Commandments isn't necasarilly considered Jewish. Many cultures have similar views and that is why I also believe knowing the traditional stories, celebrating the holidays, and connecting with god on your own level is very important to being Jewish. It contains a culture and relgious views and it is so important because it is like an unspoken understanding, where it is easier to understand what being Jewish is like if you are raised Jewish or understand these traditions, holidays, etc. There is a feeling of pride for me because I am Jewish.
These days I think people associate being Jewish with a sense of community and herritage as well as traditions and religious teachings. This all stems from a time where "Jewish" was a life consuming thing, God and Judaism were constant in every part of every Jew's life. Over the years that has changed and today not as many people live a "Jewish lifestyle" so to speak. But to answer the question "what is Jewish?" I think "Jewish" is a set of rules on how to live a good life in the eyes of God including teachings and interpretations from Jewish profits. People take out of it what they see fit, being Jewish is drawing what you can from those rules to live the life you want to live. In this way an individual can choose how "Jewish" he or she wants to be.
I agree with a lot of what Jake has said, but to answer the Rabbi's question I believe that individual identity is what has (in particular) helped to keep Judaism alive. After Napoleon, and the collapse of Judaism as a nation within a nation- the ultimate "community", the religion is still around today. Judaism is more than a religion with prayers and principles, but constructs a way of living that guides our moral beliefs and ultimate decision-making. It's obvious through all the writings and commentaries in Judaism that not everyone sees Judaism the same, or even interprets specific texts in the same ways. Regardless of personal take on the practice of the religion, the belief system and history is what ties all Jews together, secular or religious, yet allows us the personal freedom to apply these teachings to our lives.
"What is Jewish?",is a question that I have always pondered, considering that many have different views on what Judaism consists of. I identify myself as a Jew based on the values and traditions that I grew up with, including my bat mitzvah, and always celebrating the holidays. For some reason, that I can not always idenitfy, I feel that Jews have an unspoken bond holding them together, and that bond is the similarites of traditions that they have all grown up with or learned in some way shape or form. The values that I have learned from Jewish traditons have stayed with me throughout my life, helping me to become a better person. I feel its not about always attending services on the high holidays, but doing what one needs to within themselves to keep their Jewish traditions alive.
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