Rabbi's Musings

Why Be Jewish?
Ralph Stephenson asks the question, “Why Be Jewish?” Not an easy question to answer but an important one!

Here are some usual answers:

Why be Jewish?

1. Because God (the Torah) says so. We were signed on long ago by our ancestors, who declared, “We will do, and we will understand.” Apparently, they felt doing was more important than understanding. Or maybe that they had no choice in any matter.
2. Grandma will kill us if we are not.
3. We all must be something, and Judaism is a good system of values and gives us spiritual direction for life.
4. Being a good person is important, but Judaism provides more than a lot of great moral lessons through stories and opportunities to pray. Jewish texts and traditions help us create an ethic of personal responsibility tied to communal events of meaning and transcendence. Our post-modern age requires a stronger identification with a larger purpose and group. Judaism provides this for those who choose to belong.

I, for one, don’t see Judaism as better than other great religions, but I do think it is important for us to choose one that we can follow, and for those born Jewish or choosing Judaism, we have a great “product” to enrich our lives. It is timely, timeless, and time-tested.

Perhaps the right question is not, “Why be Jewish?” but how will we live our life in such a way that reflects our gratitude for the gift of life and our desire to spend our days in worthy ways. Judaism, thus, is not so much the question as it is an answer.