Why Be Jewish?
Friday, October 10, 2014
Why be Jewish? In our modern era this question has become the single most important inquiry for Jews around the world. Particularly in the United States where 1 in 5 Jews doesn't affiliate with Judaism, Jewish involvement in the synagogue is staggeringly low and by and large many Jews are simply ambivalent concerning Judaism. Many projects and initiatives have been launched to counter this downward trend and to bring ambivalent Jews back into the local communities who desperately need them. The problem though is that no amount of programs will solve this problem. The reason this is the case is simply because most Jews, including the very committed, cannot answer the question: "Why be Jewish?"
Unaffiliated Jews don't understand why they should care nor do they grasp the relevance of Judaism for their lives. Judaism doesn't promote a message of salvation unlike our Christian neighbors and thus we do not possess a fear-based or exclusionary incentive. We don't profess a dogma or doctrinal statement which necessitates proselytizing and therefore our numbers dwindle as there isn't a significant influx of converts to maintain Jewish vitality. The consequence of being insular has increased anti-Semitism and created a panic state amongst Jews when our children decide to refrain from involvement in Judaism.
The most effective approach to confronting the issue of assimilation and acculturation, which is driving Jewish communities into extinction, is to confront the root cause of ambivalence. The first step in the process is to define an answer as to why Judaism matters and is relevant. I have accumulated answers that I find meaningful and many of these answers have been reiterated by other Jews as well and by converts to Judaism who have expressed why they became a "Jew by choice" and committed to sojourn with the children of Israel. Why would someone "choose" to become a Jew and what was their inspiration for doing so? Perhaps those who have chosen this path can inspire those of the Jewish fold have had it handed to them from their parents.
I have listed a variety of reasons which altogether provide an answer to the question: "Why be Jewish?"
1.) An Amazing Heritage- Jews are an extraordinary people with a heritage and history going back 3500 years. No other people have singly contributed more to human society and civilization than us Jews. We have given the world: monotheism, the Bible, the Ten Commandments (the bedrock of civilizations), the seven day week, etc. The Western World's most deeply held beliefs about life, human nature, God, and justice are all owed to Judaism. The Jewish people has produced some of the world's greatest thinkers, philosophers, scientists, therapists, judges, writers, philanthropists, actors, merchants, psychiatrists, doctors and entrepreneurs.
A clear example of Jewish contribution is the disproportionately high volume of Jewish Nobel prize recipients. Since the Nobel was first awarded in 1901 approximately 193 of the 855 honorees have been Jewish (22%). This is staggering since Jews make up less than 0.2% of the global population. The non-Jewish author, Thomas Cahill, writes in his book:
"Because of this, the role of the Jews, the inventors of Western culture, is also singular: there is simply no one else remotely like them; theirs is a unique vocation." (The Gift of the Jews pg. 5)
Speaking of the staggering accomplishments and contributions of Jews to society, the scientist Richard Dawkins states:
“Race does not come into it. It is pure religion and culture. Something about the cultural tradition of Jews is way, way more sympathetic to science and learning and intellectual pursuits than Islam."
2.) An Extraordinary History- Centuries ago an agnostic king of France was discussing philosophy and religion with his royal court counselor. After numerous arguments were presented by the Christian advisor in favor of the position that God had revealed Himself in the Holy Scriptures, the king finally demanded that his counselor prove to him that God existed in an argument using only two words. The counselor replied, "The Jews!" In those two words the counselor summed up one of the most miraculous demonstrations of God's supernatural intervention in human history. The survival and prospering of the Jewish people during thousands of years of brutal persecution, pogroms, and the tragedy of six million Jews massacred in Hitler's Holocaust is a mysterious miracle unparalleled in history.
Each of the mighty empires of the past - Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome - who conquered Israel and carried her Jewish citizens into slavery have themselves turned to dust.
Yet the Jewish people, the least among the ancient nations of the Middle East, have survived throughout centuries, despite the overwhelming persecution and opposition against them. No other people in history have ever lost their national homeland for thousands of years, survived dispersion in more than 70 different nations for 20 centuries, and then returned to their ancient homeland and rebuilt it.
What other nation lost its national language for 20 centuries, only to recover it and teach its ancient language to millions of its returning exiles? The Bible's declaration that God made an eternal, unbreakable covenant with the Jews, through their father Abraham, has remained the guiding principle and focus of the Jewish people's survival against overwhelming odds for the last 3,500 years.
3.) Jewish Values- Judaism has a value system that is based on the premise of tikkun olam (rectification of the world) wherein it is believed that the whole world is in a covenant with God regardless of nationality, race, gender and religious persuasion. Tikkun Olam mandates that the whole world be approached with integrity, honesty, compassion and justice. A story in the Talmud relates a potential proselyte approaching the great sage Hillel to ask him to explain the whole Torah while standing on one foot. The Sage's response was: "Do not do unto others that which is hateful to you… all the rest is commentary." Later this same principle would be adopted by Christianity and called the Golden Rule. This Rule has become the cornerstone of just and compassionate societies unto this day.
4.) Meaningful Living- Anxiety and depression are at an all-time high in the secular world and this is in part due to the meaningless of the mundane of daily existence. Judaism counteracts this apathetic and meaningless existence by providing joy, purpose and connection through the medium of Jewish practices and tradition, prayer, emphasis on family and the study of Jewish literature. Judaism emphasizes a purposeful existence from the moment one wakes up in the morning and recites the blessing modeh ani, to the end of the day when one recites the bedtime Shema (declaration of God's Oneness). Every day mundane acts are elevated with a sense of purpose as one performs daily tasks with a consciousness of greater purpose and significance.
Further, Judaism provides meaningful and deep answers to life's most challenging questions such as:
· What is the meaning of life?
· Why am I here?
· What happens after death?
· Why does evil exist in the world?
· Why do good people suffer while the wicked prosper?
· And many more…
The emphasis of Judaism is life on Earth not on an afterlife. The importance of embracing the experience of living and living well is the primary impetus of Jewish existence. Making this life better for all by seeking justice where there is injustice, improving life for the poor and oppressed, in general perfecting the world is a Jews primary directive. This is the reason that so many Jews are involved in causes of freedom, justice and well-being for all peoples. Also, Judaism emphasis deeds above beliefs.
5.) Strong Family Life- Judaism provides the tools for the development and sustenance of a strong family unit. This is in part accomplished by the active involvement of a supportive community, the observance of holidays that incorporate family themes, participation in the synagogue that is inclusive of every member of the family, practicing Jewish ritual, studying Jewish ideas and text- these all contribute to quality time, acknowledgement and discourse between family members. All of Judaism's festivals and rituals are primarily home-based whether one is single or married with children- every Jew is included!
6.) Jews are a Diverse People- Judaism is represented by so many various ethnicities and convictions. We are a varied people but we are also an incredibly accepting, loving and compassionate, witty, understanding, brilliant, creative people. The last 2000 years of Jewish existence has brought many innovations and ethnic contributions to our Tribe. You may see one Jew in a traditional Eastern European Shtreimel (fur hat) and another in traditional Bukharian dress (from Uzbekistan) and then you may see a Jew into contemporary grunge. Typically a Jew is no more peculiar than the average neighbor across the street. In spite of the diversity, Jews have come to embrace the cultural expressions as an important part of their collective identity. So if someone feels there isn't a place where they can fit in they would likely be surprised to find that Judaism expresses itself in so many unusual characteristics.
Jews are a magnificent people but we are not "better" than other peoples rather we are unique in our own way and in our uniqueness we find value for ourselves and for others. It is in this that we discover our greatest impetus for being a Jew- we are uniquely ordained for the purpose of making a unique contribution to the world's stage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let's address the question once more as to why any of us should be Jewish. The answer is diverse and complex but one thing is clear- it is great to be Jewish!
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