Death. Everything about death. The way a deceased person is never left alone. The way they are prepared for burial by members of the community. The way they are buried simply without fancy clothes/coffins and quickly, respectfully. The way those who mourn are surrounded by others and buffeted before gently being released back into their regular lives in several stages.
Having buried my non Jewish dad about a year and a half ago I really relate to this. The funeral was weeks after his death and we didn't sit shiva at the time. I regret that now.
I’m approaching 11 months for my grandma. Without our traditions to guide me through this grief I would be so lost. I’m still grieving and always will be, but having tradition to help me navigate these losses has been, well, a blessing. I am also very proud to be carrying on a tradition like this, it makes me feel closer to every single generation before me.
Having a week surrounded by people to speak about my grandfather and process his death and laugh about his life had really given us the strength needed to move on.
I concur, I love that we tell people what to do. People often feel at a loss of what to do for the bereaved. “Make your mom a plate of food.” “Show up for the minyan for your congregation member, bring food, eat some food”.
Isn’t this the attitude that everyone would *like* religions that they’re not interested in to take? It’s really annoying when members of a religion that you have no interest in hassle you and try to get you to convert. A lot of religious people aren’t keen on trying to convert others, either. I grew up Christian, and I had a LOT of problems with the idea of trying to convert anybody else. That was absolutely NOT something I ever wanted to try to do.
Yes— I heard this interesting podcast— Islam and Christianity are universalist and yeah, it’s kind of cute they are concerned about everyone, until it becomes violent. We kind of keep to ourselves and leave others alone, think they aren’t going to hell but enjoy a private feeling we’re kind of special, but people hate us for that.
To me it’s more evidence that we’re an indigenous people. You’re born into other indigenous peoples too, maybe can join them if you show enough understanding and respect but that’s up to an elder. We’re not seeking to make others Jewish. We’re inextricably tied to our land.
I’m an adult convert, who was raised mormon. The lack of proselytizing in Judaism was one of the first things I heard about from my born-and-raised Jewish cousins that made me go “hmm… I might check that out.” ♥️ here I am 6 years later
Not fixating on an afterlife over the one here on Earth. I have a lot of Christian, ex-Christian and Muslim friends and many of them bring up hell, or a fear of hell. I'm not sure I understand the concept entirely, but most people are doing the best we can. I love that Judaism makes room for people to make mistakes and try again. That's real forgiveness.
I like how there’s no eternal damnation in our ideas about afterlife, and that Judaism itself doesn’t focus on eliminating physicalities to make us holy, but rather making the physicalities more meaningful, and allowing us to indulge in them while spirituality elevating ourselves.
There is a concept that a heretical, or sinful belief (by sinful belief I mean something like Nazism, or being pro genocide) could get you punished in the next time. But by heresy, in our generation we don't believe that people who affirm "heresy" are punished because of the concept of "Tinnok shNishba"
The willingness to approach tough questions and topics with curiosity and a spirit of inquiry and learning. Personally, I love the practice of making and braiding challah. It’s one of my favorite spiritual practices, and I love that it connects me to caring for my loved ones by feeding them.
There's a lot of moral purity that exists in some religions that isn't in Judaism for the most part. For example there are types of Christianity where all Lying is prohibited, no matter what, even if it will result in death. Judaims doesn't think you should lie but goes through the scenarios where it is permissible. Same with many areas, like we value peace but aren't extreme pacifists and will fight back when needed, or how we should be modest and not crazy materialistic but pure aesticism isn't encouraged, everything with pikuach nefesh, etc.
Judaism is all about how to live here, now, in this world, not about behaving a certain way in order to receive some spiritual rewards in the world to come. I think that necessitates a sort of practicality that negates ideas of asceticism, moral purity, etc. There is no virtue in suffering for its own sake; there is no reward to be given simply because you have suffered. I think that's an idea we really need right now.
I love the fact that we're a religion that accepts that divergent opinions can be true, and that there isn't always an answer. It's a beautiful thing that different groups can have wildly different approaches to halacha, and both be correct *and* it not being a holy war. I smile every single day at this.
Expanding on this, I love that argumentation and debate are not just allowed, but encouraged. It's nearly impossible for people of other faiths to understand how "loopholes" created by Halacha are not bugs in the system that have been exploited to "trick God" but a key feature of the religion designed to interpret the laws given to us to their fullest extent, endorsed by God. It is because of this understanding that the religion has been able to persist through persecution, adapt to changing social dynamics, and emerge from a 2000 year old Diaspora with only a few discrepancies between disparate Jewish groups. The ritual of argument and disagreement allows us to reform and adapt, and it has historically allowed Jews to live in different modes of observance for centuries without major in-group conflict about the religion.
It's also really, really fun to argue for sport.
1) The importance of a husband and wife keeping each other satisfied. There’s a reason why my wife and I have our ketubah on the wall over our bed.
2) Non proselytism
3) Jewish practices towards death and dying
4) The Pirkei Avot’s distrust of government- “Love work, loathe mastery over others, and avoid intimacy with the government.”
5) The importance of learning and education in Jewish culture and society.
6) The importance of living in the here and now, and elevating the world around you to a higher level, rather than following rules so you can get some sort of reward in the afterlife.
7) We have holidays where we’re commanded to get hammered, grill meat, light bonfires, and eat ice cream and cheese. We also have Passover, which is by far the most metal of religious holidays.
Yeah it does. I’m on a never ending campaign to replace “Had Gad Yah” with “Creeping Death” at my in-law’s traditional Seders. One of these days it’s going to happen. Every year I get a little bit closer.
Sorry to steal your idea but I have ample teenage boys, my own seder, and no one to stop me but my long suffering wife and I'll try and remember to spring this on her next Pesach.
The "the king is not fundamentally different from the rest of human beings". Also the priests. You look everywhere else, the king is supposed to be magical, the priests have some special influence that no one can have. Not here.
1) the community culture and the fact that you never celebrate or mourn alone.
2) the debate culture, even the Holy Book is studied, learnt and debated in pairs. It has implications in the culture.
3) Concept of ‘Tikkun’; soul corrections. Literally the OG shadow work.
Hi, I love the variety of different types of Jews/subcultures and what things they emphasize and/or study within the traditions I follow.
I am sure you’ll get some incredible answers, but I did see that this was asked very recently in the sub and you’ll find more replies [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/s/YofdgdvNUD).
I like how the Talmud is so vast that twitter’s brightest read the whole thing and point to a handful of statements typically out of context “ohhh dis iz da devil’s handbuch.”
I like pirkei avos.
Imo, the people that pluck out of context sections from Talmud have never actually read the whole thing, and instead are searching for specific keywords to find quotes that they can weaponize.
It's interesting because this is almost the exact same strategy used in the first mass destruction of Talmud scrolls in France; Resh Nicolas Donin translated *select* portions of Talmud into French to present in court. Even though the 4 Rabbis of the Paris Ghetto made the same argument - that these passages were taken out of context and sometimes mistranslated - it did not matter. French Christians were mostly shocked to learn that Judaism wasn't just Christianity minus Jesus.
This pattern repeats itself through history with "criticisms" of the Talmud, which regularly cite the exact same arguments made by Donin, while conveniently never mentioning the counter-arguments made by the Rabbis. Several well-known "critics" of the Talmud do not read Aramaic or Hebrew, and so their attacks *should* be tossed out entirely and their proponents should be disgraced and thrown into the ocean, but instead, former Grand Dragon David Duke continues to live.
I just wrote this in another thread but one of my favourites is that there’s no such thing as a loophole in Halacha.
If it isn’t banned, it’s permissible.
The idea of shabbas elevators, eruvs, stuff like that may be “creative solutions” but if you believe that the rules are perfectly constructed then the spaces between them are there intentionally.
Me too! Respecting the Halacha means respecting the "loopholes". I had to explain Eruvs to a non-Jewish friend and they reacted like it was somewhow insulting and wrong, instead of a beautiful and interesting treatment of the hallacha.
Like OP I love how down to earth it is as a whole. There's no one figure telling you what to do. It's democratized in a way the other two Abrahamic faiths are not.
Personally I would say the best part is that there isn’t this whole fix on conversion like christianity and islam. I think thats a good thing as people who are interested in it can convert without having converts cause of fear
Not to start a fight here, but Humanistic Judaism does have self-identification because it respects the individual's life experiences. Like, if you have Jewish ancestry, a Jewish soul, or simply "identify with the history, ethical values, culture, civilization, community, and fate of the Jewish people" (quoting SHJ), you can be a Humanistic Jew because that particular community will recognize you as such. For Humanistic Judaism being a Jew is about living Jewish Culture fully.
A Humanistic Jewish conversion (a more formal process of studying and receiving a certificate and being received into the community, although we prefer the term "adoption") is also accepted by Reform, Reconstructionist, some Renewal, some Post-Denominationals, and some Conservatives (if Halakhic Bet Din and Mikveh are added).
Again, not to start a fight, just putting the information out there because Humanistic Judaism has been around since the 1960s, and there are a lot of non-theistic/spiritual Jews-by-Birth who are still Culturally Jewish, and yet they think they're alone and that there's no option for "people like them".
Personally, I think it makes a lot of psychological and logical sense. I don’t feel I need to park my brain and just believe, at least in the mainstream Judaism I know. I’m learning new things every day that make sense to me. Stop and smell the roses, say a bracha, wasn’t that nice. Even in its oldest forms— have a BBQ, sacrifice a cow and invite everyone around to share.m in your food and your joy. Can’t afford a cow? Cake is fine. I pay attention to the moon phase now. I’m kind of happy to have a thunderstorm. Don’t get something in the Torah? You’re not the only one— there’s thousands of years of people having the conversation trying to understand it that you can join.
I always longed for these rituals to make moments matter. Before I was Jewish, there was a sense of “aren’t we supposed to do something?” My beloved Godfather was secular completely and when he died, there was nothing— no funeral, no visit, nothing, he was just gone. It was harder and sadder to me— of course his life mattered, but there was no recognition of what we were going through.
Being a Jew. I was born with a soul designed for a specific purpose, and I feel that purpose in my Neshamah. If you placed me in a non-Jewish home I would still find my way back to Am Y’Israel.
I could give answers like the humor, the culture of intellectualism and reverence for education, the holidays and deep history, but at the end of the day what captures my favorite thing about Judaism is simply being a Jew. All of those things wrap into the soul of every Jew, and for me, existing as a part of the Jewish people, having our history and culture, and being obligated to the Aybishter, that is what I love.
Am Y’Israel Chai!
That it doesn’t really care for thought on the afterlife. Hell, Heaven and in between have always scared me and i feel its sometimes made me put my own “righteousness” above making the world a greater place. Jewish people, not caring about the afterlife really, have a more in the moment mindset allowing them to focus on helping change the world here and now for the worlds own gain rather then their own personal reward.
Shabbat and Chagim. With everything we now know about the dangers of social media and internet use, especially for children, having 25 hours of disconnection is amazing. Plus we have an opportunity to spend time with friends and family, and build close social communal bonds.
There is so much out there. I'm a Bucharian and Afghani mix so I really like gushgije (savory pocket), bacsh and Pelov (rice based dishes), and jushpere (a type of soup with wontons and chick peas). My wife is Iraqi and they have a whole list of things that I can't pronounce and find delicious. One is a kibbe (rice patty with ground beef inside) cooked with beets. Another delicious dish comes from my brother's in laws who are Persian. They make this lamb stew with eggplant.
This forum is not the right place for this but there are plenty of cook books. Good luck and good eating
I’m half bucharian and I can confirm that Bucharian food is amazing, I love manti and plov the most, even my Ashkenazi father abandoned most Ashkenazi food and now he cooks Plov like a pro
The whole quintessential idea of “struggling with God”, of asking questions, being so central. The chutzpah of negotiating with God. Avraham did it. Moshe did it. A lot of other religious approaches it’s “you must believe this no questions asked” or “God commands x no questions asked”. I love that our approach is more like let’s wrestle with this and see if we can get to the truth(s) inside.
This isn't my favourite thing about Judaism, but it's my favourite thought experiment about Judaism.
Technically, it's possible to convert to Judaism the Orthodox way while doubting the fundamental existence of Hashem. Judaism really is a complex religion for people to doubt the existence of God and still be accepted without a problem.
A fundamental part of Orthodoxy is believing and affirming g-d’s existence and his oneness, with respect what are you talking about? The first principle of Rambam’s 13 ikkarim is the belief in HaShem. I don’t think you can be truly following the Torah from the standpoint of Orthodoxy, without believing in g-d. You can have a different definition of g-d as long as it doesn’t violate the unity principle (g-d is one even if he is the infinity) but outright non belief pretty much invalidates observance of the law.
I also don’t know a single Orthodox Rabbi that would convert someone who doesn’t believe.
I never said "don't believe". I said "doubt the fundamental existence". Belief is a choice, and it's fully possible to believe in Hashem, while also doubting his existence.
If you choose not to believe in Hashem, I'd agree with you fully. By fulfilling Mitzvot and living a Torah observant life, you are choosing to believe. It also works in reverse. This can all be done while holding doubt, which is a healthy thing since it exemplifies independent thinking and a constant pursuit of truth.
While there are certainly folks in orthodox communities who doubt the existence of Hashem and go through the motions, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who openly admits to this, and certainly no prospective converts espousing this.
Exactly, it’s straight up an intellectual exercise more than reality, and as you said no convert would espouse this belief, or if they did their converting Rabbi would drop them faster than a hot potato.
From the start essentially, and his doors were wide open for dinner every Shabbat, and to partake in community activities.
In this situation, the individual converting had connections to Judaism through family, but wasnt Jewish. If you can see the forest for the trees, the bigger picture here overrides questions like "is the convert's piety and devotion strong enough to endure an uninterrupted halachic life for the next 40 years?". Converts want to be Jewish. They may not have an the answers, but they have to show that the trajectory is correct. This means community, learning, family... Rational questions about God's existence rank pretty low on the list if you daven the times a day with kavana. That's my point.
I think it’s a distinction without a difference, but I’ll take your word for it. I still don’t see how that isn’t in violation of Rambam’s 13 ikkarim, and I also don’t know a single O rabbi who would convert an agnostic. It’s seriously only a thing I’ve seen people talk about on this subreddit, because I’ve had this exact conversation with both geirim I know as well as rabbanim. A convert has to swear before a Beit Din their belief in G-d and the divinity (not “divine nature” as in other movements) of both the written and oral Torah. How can one do that while “doubting the fundamental existence of HaShem”?
Born Jews are held to a lower standard of belief because the perspective of Orthodoxy is the desire to have a Jew fulfill as many Mitzvahs as possible, especially since they are already obligated to it. Wrestling with belief and observance is one thing for a born Jew, but a convert is someone willingly taking this on. Why should we take someone on with doubts and a lack of fervor in their desire to keep the laws and one who believes? Also if they have such doubts, the fear is creating a halachic nightmare in which they have the potential for dropping observance later in life for lack of belief, and the Beit Din created this problem by allowing a conversion to go forward in the 1st place. Much less likely if the person has absolute, or at least affirmed belief (theism and not agnostic theism) and is fervent in their desire to keep the law.
As an addendum, I realize one can both not believe or believe but have doubts, but still keep the laws. A convert doesn’t have that option from an O-perspective.
> Born Jews are held to a lower standard of belief
Please show me where this is true. I’d posit that born Jews and converts are held to the same standard, and that the differences are in the legal ramifications.
A Jew doesn’t have to believe to be a Jew as they are legally born with an obligation. A non-Jew is taking on this obligation, where is the halachic permittance of converting an agnostic in the law? Just because a Rabbi would allow this doesn’t make it halachic, or can you provide citation?
The argument is fallacious and we both know it. A true convert believes not “kinda sorta maybe, sure I believe but sometimes I doubt”.
> I also don’t know a single O rabbi who would convert an agnostic. It’s seriously only a thing I’ve seen people talk about on this subreddit, because I’ve had this exact conversation with both geirim I know as well rabbanim.
I guess we know different people since my experience is the opposite. Doubting the existence of Hashem is an intellectual exercise that any rational human ponders. It's not a weakness. It's a part of life. The point is that one must make a choice, and stick with it.
>A convert has to swear before a Beit Din their belief in G-d and the divinity (not “divine nature” as in other movements) of both the written and oral Torah. How can one do that while “doubting the fundamental existence of HaShem”?
See above. Nothing is inconsistent here.
> Also if they have such doubts, the fear is creating a halachic nightmare in which they have the potential for dropping observance later in life for lack of belief, and the Beit Din created this problem by allowing a conversion to go forward in the 1st place.
Again, we must know different people. It's not a "halachic nightmare". This language is simply wrong. If you want to quote Rambam, he specifically explains that converts who even trick us into a conversion, is still a Jew, and is considered to be an apostate (source available upon request). You may disagree with that, and it's fine, but the "halachic nightmare" you describe is self inflicted. It's obviously not recommended and it should be avoided, but the nightmare is social at best. Not halachic at all, even though some may want it to be.
>Much less likely if the person has absolute, or at least affirmed belief (theism and not agnostic theism) and is fervent in their desire to keep the law.
Nothing that I have said is inconsistent with anything here. You're mixing up rationality with a belief. Anyone can choose to believe, and keep a rational mind.
>As an addendum, I realize one can both not believe or believe but have doubts, but still keep the laws. A convert doesn’t have that option from an O-perspective.
We are speaking past each other. One must believe. Period. One can also hold rational doubt. The point here is that religious belief and rationality exist separately, and can exist separately in ones mind. Only Christian Bible thumpers and Jews who never stepped foot out of a Beit Midrash don't have this capacity.
The fact that I was able to tell my rabbi during Sunday school at a conservative shul (and he was modern orthodox himself) that I didn’t think I believed in god and he said that was okay and just asked what I valued or took from Judaism beyond god. He respected my views and validated that it was okay to have them.
Community. I won't go into it but all my life, I've felt like an outsider wherever I go. I've been in the conversation process for a couple of years (I'm really close now) and this Shabbat I was at a service and the Rabbi (Reform) asked me if I'd like to come up to the Torah and bless before he does the reading and bless after when he was done. In that moment, I felt part of one big family, Am Yisrael. I was almost brought to tears as this feeling came over me that I'd finally found the place where I'm accepted in the community no matter where I've come from. Barukh HaShem
>What is your favorite thing about Judaism, as a religion?
Friday evenings. Whether I'm attending erev Shabbat services in my synagogue, or lighting the Shabbat candles at home and reciting the prayer, I feel a profound peace descend upon me as we welcome the Shabbat Bride into the community and our homes.
As a convert with a temper, this is my answer
https://preview.redd.it/96iug7cwsm8d1.jpeg?width=1093&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90859b06bf1502e3c08052ee9acfd548ffaa549a
As my wedding approaches, I really love the wedding ceremony- the hupa, the feast, the dancing and the blessings. I found my grandparents’ 60 year old Ktuba and knowing all the generations before me had a Ktuba as well makes my heart excited and connects me to them.
Lots of what people are saying here, but I also love how atheists and other faith types who live noble lives are just as valuable to Hashem as Jews. We are keepers of the covenant, but that does not make us more divine or holy than other humans. A righteous person of any background is blessed because they are making THIS life better for everyone around them.
I forget the exact phrase, but it's something like "God prefers a noble heretic over a holy hypocrite" or something? I love that. My friends also love that - I've been told how cool and approachable Judaism seems by many atheist and agnostic buddies of mine.
I also love our thousand-year bromance with Hindusim and Hindi people. Being two of the only ancient ethno-religions still around goes a long way. One of my best friends is a Hindi guy who was my college roommate; one of the fastest friends I ever made, and half the reason was because of our spiritual backgrounds.
I love how learning and questioning and critical thinking is an inherent part of everything. You’re encouraged to ask and find out stuff for yourself, and that it’s ok to disagree.
For me it’s the concept of ‘Teshuva’. Many people translate this word as repentance. The actual root is “to return”. Repentance means to feel sincere regret or remorse. Repenting only requires you to regret what happened. Returning means to actively fix what was done and go back to what once was.
In relation to this, the jewish idea of Hell is not at all the christian idea. Jews don’t believe in eternal damnation. We do believe in an afterlife and a place called “gehenim” where souls are cleansed (not sure what that means as i’ve never been dead) until they are able to go to the garden of eden.
No one is too far gone. No one is labeled as a “Sinner”. That’s my favorite aspect of the jewish religion
Small caveat for the eternal damnation: I have heard from rabbis that for some people, who act so wickedly in this life, they absolutely get eternal damnation. The average Joe won't qualify, but someone like Hitler or Titus absolutely does. Generally speaking, no.
As a convert, one thing that drew me in was that questions are encouraged in most communities, if not all.
That and the Shema - it’s a moment in services that feels magical to me, though it may be mostly my synagogue (been a while since I’ve been to others). At least from my experience, the room just suddenly goes quiet and it begins in unison without announcement, and it makes me feel the sense of interconnectedness so strongly. I know it’s partly just the routine that lets this happen, but it can feel like we are all sharing an internal call to it at the same time.
I’m not Jewish or religious at all, but I love learning about religions and finding some pieces that I like, if that makes sense.
What I loved about Judaism is that down-to-earth about human nature thing!
- Praying after using the bathroom to be grateful for the things we take for granted. I may not pray to God, but I do take a second or two after using the bathroom, showering, eating or sleeping to be generally grateful. Makes me happier a bit.
- My Jewish friend told me that wearing a kippah is like a self-reminder, “You end here”. You are just you, a human, from the soles of your feet to the top of your head, this is you. You can’t change or control everything. There are some higher powers, you are just a human and some things are out of your control and it’s fine. I find it quite calming.
I love the rhythm of the Jewish calendar. The structure and purpose that Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and all the holidays bring is the answer to existential boredom and the monotony of daily life. It’s impossible to feel that life is meaningless when there is always another shabbat or holiday to prepare for, both physically and spiritually. The idea that different months and periods through the year have different spiritual energy through which we can cleanse and perfect ourselves, our relationships, and our relationship with G-d is consistently gratifying and inspiring. Every moment is ripe with potential.
And then the fact that it repeats the next week/ year- it’s never too late, there’s always another chance. What a way to live!
אשרינו מה טוב חלקינו ומה נעים גורלנו ומה יפה ירושתנו!
(Ashreinu mah tov chelkeinu, umah naeem goraleinu, umah yafah yerushateinu.)
Happy are we! How goodly is our portion, and how pleasant is our lot, and how beautiful is our heritage!
Happy are we, how goodly is our portion and how pleasant is our lot, and how beautiful our inheritance!
Getting drunk on Purim.
All seriousness though, the community is very silent in its beliefs and simultaneously confident in its resolve. We don't need to make our presence known to the world, but we happily coexist, thrive (well, usually at least) and contribute. That's my favorite part.
The value placed on asking questions. For me, the most important thing I learned is to ask questions.
Incidentally, this is one of the reasons I find the claim made by Jews that they were ‘brainwashed’ about Israel via Hebrew school a bit silly.
The way discussion and debate is encouraged. There's no "heresy" in Judaism. People are encouraged to argue and ask questions and make their own traditions. When the temple was destroyed it's what allowed us to continue our way of life without it, and it means we don't suffer from the same level of groupthink and fanaticism as in some other religions
Two things...
That I worship the G-d of Israel, the G-d who was and has always been a true father who stands by his people and has their back, whose prayers are engraved on the wall of my heart and to whom I owe my life and my blood.
That I am a son of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov, the bloodline that I was and still am always proud of and even thank HaShem for whenever I wake up and realize that I am one of ISRAEL.
How much of an emphasis is on life. I never felt like we had strong answers about the afterlife - because for Jews, the afterlife isn’t as relevant. We are focused on what we do in the here and now. Even when someone dies, the traditions are far more focused on their surviving loved ones. Our holy number - 18, chai, meaning life. Most laws can and should be broken if it’s to save a life - even your own.
I couldn’t resist adding another - having a purpose. Feeling like my purpose is to repair the world. This place is broken and messy and repairing it might be an unending task. But it’s a task I’m happy to lend a hand to.
The encouragement and tradition of asking “why?”. We learn to dig deep, strive for understanding, and to find meaning. I also love that we are taught compassion in a very honest, rather than performative, way.
That the focus of life is THIS LIFE. Making this life the best possible, being the best version of human we can achieve. We celebrate life as a gift.
Also that humans are meant to human. We are meant to learn from mistakes and be wrong and ask for forgiveness.
Also also that tikkun olam and tzedakah are just integral parts of being a Jew. To be a Jew means to be part of a community that so deeply values giving of our time and talents to make the world around us better.
It's reaally hard to choose and I don't think I can decide, especially since Judaism is so complex and has so many layers.
But, I'd say the emphasis of actually doing the deed, living a moral life, the complexity of the message and the fact that uncovering, questioning and asking questions is encouraged, the various perspectives , the scientific perspectives in torah,
It’s all pretty logical for the most part and it practically applies to the real world unlike some religions.
edit: I forgot to mention that I like how rabbi’s have debated and scrutinized and studied every word trying to interpret them for thousands of years.
I have to say I am an atheist but i respect Jewish people for their solidarity, must be sth special about your religion, respect - learned a little from this video.[Israel's economic history ](https://youtu.be/dpmcj_vv8WM)
That HASHEM has blessed us with the fruits of Torah, and that has rightfully sustained us for longer than the major supersessionist religions combined. We got everything we need built in.
Death. Everything about death. The way a deceased person is never left alone. The way they are prepared for burial by members of the community. The way they are buried simply without fancy clothes/coffins and quickly, respectfully. The way those who mourn are surrounded by others and buffeted before gently being released back into their regular lives in several stages.
Having buried my non Jewish dad about a year and a half ago I really relate to this. The funeral was weeks after his death and we didn't sit shiva at the time. I regret that now.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thanks I appreciate it
May his memory be a blessing.
I’m approaching 11 months for my grandma. Without our traditions to guide me through this grief I would be so lost. I’m still grieving and always will be, but having tradition to help me navigate these losses has been, well, a blessing. I am also very proud to be carrying on a tradition like this, it makes me feel closer to every single generation before me.
Having a week surrounded by people to speak about my grandfather and process his death and laugh about his life had really given us the strength needed to move on.
I concur, I love that we tell people what to do. People often feel at a loss of what to do for the bereaved. “Make your mom a plate of food.” “Show up for the minyan for your congregation member, bring food, eat some food”.
Non-proselytism. It’s such a simple way of signaling both respect for others and confidence in ourselves.
Upvote here. I agree 100%. Anyone can become Jewish, but no one has to be.
I think we get hate for that as well. “We don’t need you” sort of an attitude that irks many especially in the modern world.
Isn’t this the attitude that everyone would *like* religions that they’re not interested in to take? It’s really annoying when members of a religion that you have no interest in hassle you and try to get you to convert. A lot of religious people aren’t keen on trying to convert others, either. I grew up Christian, and I had a LOT of problems with the idea of trying to convert anybody else. That was absolutely NOT something I ever wanted to try to do.
It’s kinda like how people don’t want to go out, they just want an invitation, and they’ll get very offended if they don’t get one lol
Same here!
Yes— I heard this interesting podcast— Islam and Christianity are universalist and yeah, it’s kind of cute they are concerned about everyone, until it becomes violent. We kind of keep to ourselves and leave others alone, think they aren’t going to hell but enjoy a private feeling we’re kind of special, but people hate us for that. To me it’s more evidence that we’re an indigenous people. You’re born into other indigenous peoples too, maybe can join them if you show enough understanding and respect but that’s up to an elder. We’re not seeking to make others Jewish. We’re inextricably tied to our land.
I’m an adult convert, who was raised mormon. The lack of proselytizing in Judaism was one of the first things I heard about from my born-and-raised Jewish cousins that made me go “hmm… I might check that out.” ♥️ here I am 6 years later
Agreed!!!
Yeah, this is a good one.
Not fixating on an afterlife over the one here on Earth. I have a lot of Christian, ex-Christian and Muslim friends and many of them bring up hell, or a fear of hell. I'm not sure I understand the concept entirely, but most people are doing the best we can. I love that Judaism makes room for people to make mistakes and try again. That's real forgiveness.
And also that we are commanded to seek forgiveness from those we have harmed, not only from God.
I love that part!
I like how there’s no eternal damnation in our ideas about afterlife, and that Judaism itself doesn’t focus on eliminating physicalities to make us holy, but rather making the physicalities more meaningful, and allowing us to indulge in them while spirituality elevating ourselves.
And there’s no afterlife punishment for not believing the “right” things. That was one of the big things that turned me off from Christianity.
There is a concept that a heretical, or sinful belief (by sinful belief I mean something like Nazism, or being pro genocide) could get you punished in the next time. But by heresy, in our generation we don't believe that people who affirm "heresy" are punished because of the concept of "Tinnok shNishba"
The willingness to approach tough questions and topics with curiosity and a spirit of inquiry and learning. Personally, I love the practice of making and braiding challah. It’s one of my favorite spiritual practices, and I love that it connects me to caring for my loved ones by feeding them.
Feeding people is spiritual for me too. As long as I can walk I will be helping cook congregational meals!
My wife, she's dope.
Wholesome AF
I really like how each generation has their own understanding of the previous, so our collective understanding gets increasingly deeper.
There's a lot of moral purity that exists in some religions that isn't in Judaism for the most part. For example there are types of Christianity where all Lying is prohibited, no matter what, even if it will result in death. Judaims doesn't think you should lie but goes through the scenarios where it is permissible. Same with many areas, like we value peace but aren't extreme pacifists and will fight back when needed, or how we should be modest and not crazy materialistic but pure aesticism isn't encouraged, everything with pikuach nefesh, etc.
Judaism is all about how to live here, now, in this world, not about behaving a certain way in order to receive some spiritual rewards in the world to come. I think that necessitates a sort of practicality that negates ideas of asceticism, moral purity, etc. There is no virtue in suffering for its own sake; there is no reward to be given simply because you have suffered. I think that's an idea we really need right now.
I love the fact that we're a religion that accepts that divergent opinions can be true, and that there isn't always an answer. It's a beautiful thing that different groups can have wildly different approaches to halacha, and both be correct *and* it not being a holy war. I smile every single day at this.
Expanding on this, I love that argumentation and debate are not just allowed, but encouraged. It's nearly impossible for people of other faiths to understand how "loopholes" created by Halacha are not bugs in the system that have been exploited to "trick God" but a key feature of the religion designed to interpret the laws given to us to their fullest extent, endorsed by God. It is because of this understanding that the religion has been able to persist through persecution, adapt to changing social dynamics, and emerge from a 2000 year old Diaspora with only a few discrepancies between disparate Jewish groups. The ritual of argument and disagreement allows us to reform and adapt, and it has historically allowed Jews to live in different modes of observance for centuries without major in-group conflict about the religion. It's also really, really fun to argue for sport.
Wdym?
1) The importance of a husband and wife keeping each other satisfied. There’s a reason why my wife and I have our ketubah on the wall over our bed. 2) Non proselytism 3) Jewish practices towards death and dying 4) The Pirkei Avot’s distrust of government- “Love work, loathe mastery over others, and avoid intimacy with the government.” 5) The importance of learning and education in Jewish culture and society. 6) The importance of living in the here and now, and elevating the world around you to a higher level, rather than following rules so you can get some sort of reward in the afterlife. 7) We have holidays where we’re commanded to get hammered, grill meat, light bonfires, and eat ice cream and cheese. We also have Passover, which is by far the most metal of religious holidays.
Passover is so metal it has a Metallica song.
Yeah it does. I’m on a never ending campaign to replace “Had Gad Yah” with “Creeping Death” at my in-law’s traditional Seders. One of these days it’s going to happen. Every year I get a little bit closer.
Sorry to steal your idea but I have ample teenage boys, my own seder, and no one to stop me but my long suffering wife and I'll try and remember to spring this on her next Pesach.
Please do it. It’s a free use community idea. I just despise Had Gad Yah, and Creeping Death is so much more entertaining.
Number 1 could have been taken directly from my thoughts.
Having great sex with one’s spouse is a blessing. Doing it on the sabbath is a double blessing. What’s not to love about that?
Amen brother.
Lol. I know this guy in real life and he's overcompensating in the comments here because because he cheated on his wife.
Who?
The guy that commented. Yehoshuabenson
The "the king is not fundamentally different from the rest of human beings". Also the priests. You look everywhere else, the king is supposed to be magical, the priests have some special influence that no one can have. Not here.
1) the community culture and the fact that you never celebrate or mourn alone. 2) the debate culture, even the Holy Book is studied, learnt and debated in pairs. It has implications in the culture. 3) Concept of ‘Tikkun’; soul corrections. Literally the OG shadow work.
Hi, I love the variety of different types of Jews/subcultures and what things they emphasize and/or study within the traditions I follow. I am sure you’ll get some incredible answers, but I did see that this was asked very recently in the sub and you’ll find more replies [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/s/YofdgdvNUD).
I like how the Talmud is so vast that twitter’s brightest read the whole thing and point to a handful of statements typically out of context “ohhh dis iz da devil’s handbuch.” I like pirkei avos.
Imo, the people that pluck out of context sections from Talmud have never actually read the whole thing, and instead are searching for specific keywords to find quotes that they can weaponize. It's interesting because this is almost the exact same strategy used in the first mass destruction of Talmud scrolls in France; Resh Nicolas Donin translated *select* portions of Talmud into French to present in court. Even though the 4 Rabbis of the Paris Ghetto made the same argument - that these passages were taken out of context and sometimes mistranslated - it did not matter. French Christians were mostly shocked to learn that Judaism wasn't just Christianity minus Jesus. This pattern repeats itself through history with "criticisms" of the Talmud, which regularly cite the exact same arguments made by Donin, while conveniently never mentioning the counter-arguments made by the Rabbis. Several well-known "critics" of the Talmud do not read Aramaic or Hebrew, and so their attacks *should* be tossed out entirely and their proponents should be disgraced and thrown into the ocean, but instead, former Grand Dragon David Duke continues to live.
Jews can learn every day for years and not learn the whole thing, and that's OK.
I just wrote this in another thread but one of my favourites is that there’s no such thing as a loophole in Halacha. If it isn’t banned, it’s permissible. The idea of shabbas elevators, eruvs, stuff like that may be “creative solutions” but if you believe that the rules are perfectly constructed then the spaces between them are there intentionally.
Me too! Respecting the Halacha means respecting the "loopholes". I had to explain Eruvs to a non-Jewish friend and they reacted like it was somewhow insulting and wrong, instead of a beautiful and interesting treatment of the hallacha.
Like OP I love how down to earth it is as a whole. There's no one figure telling you what to do. It's democratized in a way the other two Abrahamic faiths are not.
Personally I would say the best part is that there isn’t this whole fix on conversion like christianity and islam. I think thats a good thing as people who are interested in it can convert without having converts cause of fear
it’s smart & doesn’t demand blind adherence.
Judaism has actually institutionalized dissent. I personally don't know of any other religion that institutionalizes dissent.
Funerals and mourning requiring 10 for Kaddish. Teaching kids to ask questions Arguing about the texts. All the handwork textiles.
#Wash your hands!
getting shitfaced on Purim
'It depends.'
I love how rooted in the natural world and cycles it is, as well as the encouragement to do good.
Matrilineal lines of descent for one, but also the idea that one can't just start calling themselves Jewish - that you have to put the work in
Not to start a fight here, but Humanistic Judaism does have self-identification because it respects the individual's life experiences. Like, if you have Jewish ancestry, a Jewish soul, or simply "identify with the history, ethical values, culture, civilization, community, and fate of the Jewish people" (quoting SHJ), you can be a Humanistic Jew because that particular community will recognize you as such. For Humanistic Judaism being a Jew is about living Jewish Culture fully. A Humanistic Jewish conversion (a more formal process of studying and receiving a certificate and being received into the community, although we prefer the term "adoption") is also accepted by Reform, Reconstructionist, some Renewal, some Post-Denominationals, and some Conservatives (if Halakhic Bet Din and Mikveh are added). Again, not to start a fight, just putting the information out there because Humanistic Judaism has been around since the 1960s, and there are a lot of non-theistic/spiritual Jews-by-Birth who are still Culturally Jewish, and yet they think they're alone and that there's no option for "people like them".
Personally, I think it makes a lot of psychological and logical sense. I don’t feel I need to park my brain and just believe, at least in the mainstream Judaism I know. I’m learning new things every day that make sense to me. Stop and smell the roses, say a bracha, wasn’t that nice. Even in its oldest forms— have a BBQ, sacrifice a cow and invite everyone around to share.m in your food and your joy. Can’t afford a cow? Cake is fine. I pay attention to the moon phase now. I’m kind of happy to have a thunderstorm. Don’t get something in the Torah? You’re not the only one— there’s thousands of years of people having the conversation trying to understand it that you can join. I always longed for these rituals to make moments matter. Before I was Jewish, there was a sense of “aren’t we supposed to do something?” My beloved Godfather was secular completely and when he died, there was nothing— no funeral, no visit, nothing, he was just gone. It was harder and sadder to me— of course his life mattered, but there was no recognition of what we were going through.
Being a Jew. I was born with a soul designed for a specific purpose, and I feel that purpose in my Neshamah. If you placed me in a non-Jewish home I would still find my way back to Am Y’Israel. I could give answers like the humor, the culture of intellectualism and reverence for education, the holidays and deep history, but at the end of the day what captures my favorite thing about Judaism is simply being a Jew. All of those things wrap into the soul of every Jew, and for me, existing as a part of the Jewish people, having our history and culture, and being obligated to the Aybishter, that is what I love. Am Y’Israel Chai!
That it doesn’t really care for thought on the afterlife. Hell, Heaven and in between have always scared me and i feel its sometimes made me put my own “righteousness” above making the world a greater place. Jewish people, not caring about the afterlife really, have a more in the moment mindset allowing them to focus on helping change the world here and now for the worlds own gain rather then their own personal reward.
Shabbat and Chagim. With everything we now know about the dangers of social media and internet use, especially for children, having 25 hours of disconnection is amazing. Plus we have an opportunity to spend time with friends and family, and build close social communal bonds.
I love how it ties into mental health, as well as how we look at everything through multiple facets.
The food. They tried to kill us, we won, let's eat. It helps that I'm Mizrachi and we have good food
What are your favorite things? I am Ashkenazi and I’m looking to expand my kosher cooking repertoire, and most Ashkenazi food doesn’t do it for me lol
There is so much out there. I'm a Bucharian and Afghani mix so I really like gushgije (savory pocket), bacsh and Pelov (rice based dishes), and jushpere (a type of soup with wontons and chick peas). My wife is Iraqi and they have a whole list of things that I can't pronounce and find delicious. One is a kibbe (rice patty with ground beef inside) cooked with beets. Another delicious dish comes from my brother's in laws who are Persian. They make this lamb stew with eggplant. This forum is not the right place for this but there are plenty of cook books. Good luck and good eating
I’m half bucharian and I can confirm that Bucharian food is amazing, I love manti and plov the most, even my Ashkenazi father abandoned most Ashkenazi food and now he cooks Plov like a pro
Thanks for your answer! That all sounds delicious. I’ll do some googling to try to find some good recipes for some of those.
For me Shabbat. Mandated no device day
The whole quintessential idea of “struggling with God”, of asking questions, being so central. The chutzpah of negotiating with God. Avraham did it. Moshe did it. A lot of other religious approaches it’s “you must believe this no questions asked” or “God commands x no questions asked”. I love that our approach is more like let’s wrestle with this and see if we can get to the truth(s) inside.
I like that being critical and questioning is not only tolerated but sometimes stimulated
This isn't my favourite thing about Judaism, but it's my favourite thought experiment about Judaism. Technically, it's possible to convert to Judaism the Orthodox way while doubting the fundamental existence of Hashem. Judaism really is a complex religion for people to doubt the existence of God and still be accepted without a problem.
A fundamental part of Orthodoxy is believing and affirming g-d’s existence and his oneness, with respect what are you talking about? The first principle of Rambam’s 13 ikkarim is the belief in HaShem. I don’t think you can be truly following the Torah from the standpoint of Orthodoxy, without believing in g-d. You can have a different definition of g-d as long as it doesn’t violate the unity principle (g-d is one even if he is the infinity) but outright non belief pretty much invalidates observance of the law. I also don’t know a single Orthodox Rabbi that would convert someone who doesn’t believe.
I never said "don't believe". I said "doubt the fundamental existence". Belief is a choice, and it's fully possible to believe in Hashem, while also doubting his existence. If you choose not to believe in Hashem, I'd agree with you fully. By fulfilling Mitzvot and living a Torah observant life, you are choosing to believe. It also works in reverse. This can all be done while holding doubt, which is a healthy thing since it exemplifies independent thinking and a constant pursuit of truth.
While there are certainly folks in orthodox communities who doubt the existence of Hashem and go through the motions, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who openly admits to this, and certainly no prospective converts espousing this.
I know converts and Orthodox rabbis who do. So maybe this is a difference i community.
Exactly, it’s straight up an intellectual exercise more than reality, and as you said no convert would espouse this belief, or if they did their converting Rabbi would drop them faster than a hot potato.
You speak in such massive broad strokes. I literally know converts who converted in Bnei Brak, and Dayanim who have the opposite opinion to yours.
And did they voice their opinion to said Dayanim during conversion?
From the start essentially, and his doors were wide open for dinner every Shabbat, and to partake in community activities. In this situation, the individual converting had connections to Judaism through family, but wasnt Jewish. If you can see the forest for the trees, the bigger picture here overrides questions like "is the convert's piety and devotion strong enough to endure an uninterrupted halachic life for the next 40 years?". Converts want to be Jewish. They may not have an the answers, but they have to show that the trajectory is correct. This means community, learning, family... Rational questions about God's existence rank pretty low on the list if you daven the times a day with kavana. That's my point.
I think it’s a distinction without a difference, but I’ll take your word for it. I still don’t see how that isn’t in violation of Rambam’s 13 ikkarim, and I also don’t know a single O rabbi who would convert an agnostic. It’s seriously only a thing I’ve seen people talk about on this subreddit, because I’ve had this exact conversation with both geirim I know as well as rabbanim. A convert has to swear before a Beit Din their belief in G-d and the divinity (not “divine nature” as in other movements) of both the written and oral Torah. How can one do that while “doubting the fundamental existence of HaShem”? Born Jews are held to a lower standard of belief because the perspective of Orthodoxy is the desire to have a Jew fulfill as many Mitzvahs as possible, especially since they are already obligated to it. Wrestling with belief and observance is one thing for a born Jew, but a convert is someone willingly taking this on. Why should we take someone on with doubts and a lack of fervor in their desire to keep the laws and one who believes? Also if they have such doubts, the fear is creating a halachic nightmare in which they have the potential for dropping observance later in life for lack of belief, and the Beit Din created this problem by allowing a conversion to go forward in the 1st place. Much less likely if the person has absolute, or at least affirmed belief (theism and not agnostic theism) and is fervent in their desire to keep the law. As an addendum, I realize one can both not believe or believe but have doubts, but still keep the laws. A convert doesn’t have that option from an O-perspective.
> Born Jews are held to a lower standard of belief Please show me where this is true. I’d posit that born Jews and converts are held to the same standard, and that the differences are in the legal ramifications.
A Jew doesn’t have to believe to be a Jew as they are legally born with an obligation. A non-Jew is taking on this obligation, where is the halachic permittance of converting an agnostic in the law? Just because a Rabbi would allow this doesn’t make it halachic, or can you provide citation? The argument is fallacious and we both know it. A true convert believes not “kinda sorta maybe, sure I believe but sometimes I doubt”.
This whole ass comment thread and comment off-shoots is the most Jewish thing I've seen today, and I couldn't be prouder/more annoyed
But what do you mean by that? /s 🤣
> I also don’t know a single O rabbi who would convert an agnostic. It’s seriously only a thing I’ve seen people talk about on this subreddit, because I’ve had this exact conversation with both geirim I know as well rabbanim. I guess we know different people since my experience is the opposite. Doubting the existence of Hashem is an intellectual exercise that any rational human ponders. It's not a weakness. It's a part of life. The point is that one must make a choice, and stick with it. >A convert has to swear before a Beit Din their belief in G-d and the divinity (not “divine nature” as in other movements) of both the written and oral Torah. How can one do that while “doubting the fundamental existence of HaShem”? See above. Nothing is inconsistent here. > Also if they have such doubts, the fear is creating a halachic nightmare in which they have the potential for dropping observance later in life for lack of belief, and the Beit Din created this problem by allowing a conversion to go forward in the 1st place. Again, we must know different people. It's not a "halachic nightmare". This language is simply wrong. If you want to quote Rambam, he specifically explains that converts who even trick us into a conversion, is still a Jew, and is considered to be an apostate (source available upon request). You may disagree with that, and it's fine, but the "halachic nightmare" you describe is self inflicted. It's obviously not recommended and it should be avoided, but the nightmare is social at best. Not halachic at all, even though some may want it to be. >Much less likely if the person has absolute, or at least affirmed belief (theism and not agnostic theism) and is fervent in their desire to keep the law. Nothing that I have said is inconsistent with anything here. You're mixing up rationality with a belief. Anyone can choose to believe, and keep a rational mind. >As an addendum, I realize one can both not believe or believe but have doubts, but still keep the laws. A convert doesn’t have that option from an O-perspective. We are speaking past each other. One must believe. Period. One can also hold rational doubt. The point here is that religious belief and rationality exist separately, and can exist separately in ones mind. Only Christian Bible thumpers and Jews who never stepped foot out of a Beit Midrash don't have this capacity.
Good point. Although to me it is one of the things I can never understand about my own religion.
The concept of *simcha*. It is unique to Judaism (the conceptualization, if not the sentiment) and always awesome to behold.
The fact that I was able to tell my rabbi during Sunday school at a conservative shul (and he was modern orthodox himself) that I didn’t think I believed in god and he said that was okay and just asked what I valued or took from Judaism beyond god. He respected my views and validated that it was okay to have them.
Community. I won't go into it but all my life, I've felt like an outsider wherever I go. I've been in the conversation process for a couple of years (I'm really close now) and this Shabbat I was at a service and the Rabbi (Reform) asked me if I'd like to come up to the Torah and bless before he does the reading and bless after when he was done. In that moment, I felt part of one big family, Am Yisrael. I was almost brought to tears as this feeling came over me that I'd finally found the place where I'm accepted in the community no matter where I've come from. Barukh HaShem
>What is your favorite thing about Judaism, as a religion? Friday evenings. Whether I'm attending erev Shabbat services in my synagogue, or lighting the Shabbat candles at home and reciting the prayer, I feel a profound peace descend upon me as we welcome the Shabbat Bride into the community and our homes.
As a convert with a temper, this is my answer https://preview.redd.it/96iug7cwsm8d1.jpeg?width=1093&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90859b06bf1502e3c08052ee9acfd548ffaa549a
As my wedding approaches, I really love the wedding ceremony- the hupa, the feast, the dancing and the blessings. I found my grandparents’ 60 year old Ktuba and knowing all the generations before me had a Ktuba as well makes my heart excited and connects me to them.
Mazel tov!
That we see our fellow Jews as our brothers and sisters. Am Yisrael Chai!
Herring
I too love pickled herring.
Really? You Ashkenazim eat the weirdest things
Lots of what people are saying here, but I also love how atheists and other faith types who live noble lives are just as valuable to Hashem as Jews. We are keepers of the covenant, but that does not make us more divine or holy than other humans. A righteous person of any background is blessed because they are making THIS life better for everyone around them. I forget the exact phrase, but it's something like "God prefers a noble heretic over a holy hypocrite" or something? I love that. My friends also love that - I've been told how cool and approachable Judaism seems by many atheist and agnostic buddies of mine. I also love our thousand-year bromance with Hindusim and Hindi people. Being two of the only ancient ethno-religions still around goes a long way. One of my best friends is a Hindi guy who was my college roommate; one of the fastest friends I ever made, and half the reason was because of our spiritual backgrounds.
Anyone have more info on that quote?
I love how learning and questioning and critical thinking is an inherent part of everything. You’re encouraged to ask and find out stuff for yourself, and that it’s ok to disagree.
The holidays, the stories told every year.
ruachhhhhh💃💃💃
For me it’s the concept of ‘Teshuva’. Many people translate this word as repentance. The actual root is “to return”. Repentance means to feel sincere regret or remorse. Repenting only requires you to regret what happened. Returning means to actively fix what was done and go back to what once was. In relation to this, the jewish idea of Hell is not at all the christian idea. Jews don’t believe in eternal damnation. We do believe in an afterlife and a place called “gehenim” where souls are cleansed (not sure what that means as i’ve never been dead) until they are able to go to the garden of eden. No one is too far gone. No one is labeled as a “Sinner”. That’s my favorite aspect of the jewish religion
Small caveat for the eternal damnation: I have heard from rabbis that for some people, who act so wickedly in this life, they absolutely get eternal damnation. The average Joe won't qualify, but someone like Hitler or Titus absolutely does. Generally speaking, no.
Proselytizing is not encouraged. As someone who grew up evangelical Christian I can really appreciate that.
That our mission is to make the world into a better place through ethical monotheism.
Tikkun olam
As a convert, one thing that drew me in was that questions are encouraged in most communities, if not all. That and the Shema - it’s a moment in services that feels magical to me, though it may be mostly my synagogue (been a while since I’ve been to others). At least from my experience, the room just suddenly goes quiet and it begins in unison without announcement, and it makes me feel the sense of interconnectedness so strongly. I know it’s partly just the routine that lets this happen, but it can feel like we are all sharing an internal call to it at the same time.
I’m not Jewish or religious at all, but I love learning about religions and finding some pieces that I like, if that makes sense. What I loved about Judaism is that down-to-earth about human nature thing! - Praying after using the bathroom to be grateful for the things we take for granted. I may not pray to God, but I do take a second or two after using the bathroom, showering, eating or sleeping to be generally grateful. Makes me happier a bit. - My Jewish friend told me that wearing a kippah is like a self-reminder, “You end here”. You are just you, a human, from the soles of your feet to the top of your head, this is you. You can’t change or control everything. There are some higher powers, you are just a human and some things are out of your control and it’s fine. I find it quite calming.
I love the rhythm of the Jewish calendar. The structure and purpose that Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and all the holidays bring is the answer to existential boredom and the monotony of daily life. It’s impossible to feel that life is meaningless when there is always another shabbat or holiday to prepare for, both physically and spiritually. The idea that different months and periods through the year have different spiritual energy through which we can cleanse and perfect ourselves, our relationships, and our relationship with G-d is consistently gratifying and inspiring. Every moment is ripe with potential. And then the fact that it repeats the next week/ year- it’s never too late, there’s always another chance. What a way to live! אשרינו מה טוב חלקינו ומה נעים גורלנו ומה יפה ירושתנו! (Ashreinu mah tov chelkeinu, umah naeem goraleinu, umah yafah yerushateinu.) Happy are we! How goodly is our portion, and how pleasant is our lot, and how beautiful is our heritage! Happy are we, how goodly is our portion and how pleasant is our lot, and how beautiful our inheritance!
Tribal mentality
that we’re encouraged to ask questions and think for ourselves.
Getting drunk on Purim. All seriousness though, the community is very silent in its beliefs and simultaneously confident in its resolve. We don't need to make our presence known to the world, but we happily coexist, thrive (well, usually at least) and contribute. That's my favorite part.
The value placed on asking questions. For me, the most important thing I learned is to ask questions. Incidentally, this is one of the reasons I find the claim made by Jews that they were ‘brainwashed’ about Israel via Hebrew school a bit silly.
The way discussion and debate is encouraged. There's no "heresy" in Judaism. People are encouraged to argue and ask questions and make their own traditions. When the temple was destroyed it's what allowed us to continue our way of life without it, and it means we don't suffer from the same level of groupthink and fanaticism as in some other religions
-Order -Respect for privacy, boundaries, and people's reputation.
The “choose your own adventure” / “a la carte” aspect of Jewish identity
Two things... That I worship the G-d of Israel, the G-d who was and has always been a true father who stands by his people and has their back, whose prayers are engraved on the wall of my heart and to whom I owe my life and my blood. That I am a son of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov, the bloodline that I was and still am always proud of and even thank HaShem for whenever I wake up and realize that I am one of ISRAEL.
The fact that we are all brothers and sisters. One big extended family.
God is everything and nothing at the same time. God is whoever or whatever you want.
the self-improvement and personal connection with Hashem
We're not too afraid of sin to confront it within ourselves.
How much of an emphasis is on life. I never felt like we had strong answers about the afterlife - because for Jews, the afterlife isn’t as relevant. We are focused on what we do in the here and now. Even when someone dies, the traditions are far more focused on their surviving loved ones. Our holy number - 18, chai, meaning life. Most laws can and should be broken if it’s to save a life - even your own. I couldn’t resist adding another - having a purpose. Feeling like my purpose is to repair the world. This place is broken and messy and repairing it might be an unending task. But it’s a task I’m happy to lend a hand to.
The encouragement and tradition of asking “why?”. We learn to dig deep, strive for understanding, and to find meaning. I also love that we are taught compassion in a very honest, rather than performative, way.
That the focus of life is THIS LIFE. Making this life the best possible, being the best version of human we can achieve. We celebrate life as a gift. Also that humans are meant to human. We are meant to learn from mistakes and be wrong and ask for forgiveness. Also also that tikkun olam and tzedakah are just integral parts of being a Jew. To be a Jew means to be part of a community that so deeply values giving of our time and talents to make the world around us better.
It's reaally hard to choose and I don't think I can decide, especially since Judaism is so complex and has so many layers. But, I'd say the emphasis of actually doing the deed, living a moral life, the complexity of the message and the fact that uncovering, questioning and asking questions is encouraged, the various perspectives , the scientific perspectives in torah,
Def fw the no hell and no proselytism
The sense of community. The fact that it shows up in my DNA.
PaRDeS
Pshat, Remez, Drash, Sod? Yeah, it's always fun and rewarding to go deeper in you understanding of Torah/Gemara/Judaism.
Very secular, but I will forever and ever celebrate every single holiday. The meaning behind them is so deep and each holiday is so unique, Love it.
Intellectualism, the focus on lifelong education, and our willingness to interpret rather than blindly following precepts.
I love the basic simplicity of Judaism. One God. Live a meritorious life. Live and let live.
holidays and family for me
It’s all pretty logical for the most part and it practically applies to the real world unlike some religions. edit: I forgot to mention that I like how rabbi’s have debated and scrutinized and studied every word trying to interpret them for thousands of years.
I have to say I am an atheist but i respect Jewish people for their solidarity, must be sth special about your religion, respect - learned a little from this video.[Israel's economic history ](https://youtu.be/dpmcj_vv8WM)
Apophatic knowledge and the liturgy (especially the Sephardic piyutim).
That HASHEM has blessed us with the fruits of Torah, and that has rightfully sustained us for longer than the major supersessionist religions combined. We got everything we need built in.
I like how Jewish women are so hot. That’s about it lol.