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Q1. Are Jewish Observances old fashioned and not relevant today? Q2. What is the traditional role of women in Judaism? Q3. What is Judaism's position on an afterlife? |
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Are Jewish Observances old fashioned and not relevant today?
To a person who is not familiar with the reasons behind Jewish observances, they may seem strange or even silly. After all, what difference does it make what foods we eat or how they are cooked, or whether or not we travel on Saturday. What are the reasons for these and other mitzvot, and are they really relevant today?
Taken individually, many mitzvot seem quite outlandish, and yet they were all commanded by G-d, and they all serve the same purpose -- to focus on our relationship with G-d and with each other. Not harming others is not enough in Judaism. For evil to prevail, good people need only do nothing. Judaism not only sets forth prohibitions in behavior, it also sets forth positive laws -- laws designed to encourage people to act in a way that furthers goodness. The goal of Jewish law is not just the absence of bad behavior, but also a commitment to the higher attainment of goodness. The mitzvot were given to purify the human being, and because G-d gave them to the Jewish people it places a special burden on us.
Of course, there are many people, non-Jews and Jews alike, who do not practice Jewish observances and who are good people. Doesn't this render many mitzvot irrelevant to the attainment of purity? Not really, because the purpose of the Law is not to reach a static level of spiritually, but to constantly strive for a higher level of purity. As with any difficult endeavor, a system and constant practice is necessary for improvement. People cannot improve their spirituality and goodness without constant effort, any more than an athlete can become a star athlete without constant practice. Jewish Law is the system given us by G-d to enable us to become spiritual, ethical and moral stars.
One final word. Jewish observance is a highly private matter. G-d has commanded that we perform certain mitzvot, but the only power on Earth that can compel you to obey is your inner self. Irrespective of whether one believes in G-d, this system is a psychologically and socially beneficial way of life.
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What is the traditional role of women in Judaism?
The blurring of traditional roles in American society, has presented a challenge to the traditional role of women in Judaism. As Jewish women become breadwinners, executives, teachers and public role models, they are asking why their roles in religious life are also not changing to meet the realities of secular life.
In order to understand the different roles of women and men, it is necessary to understand the traditional Jewish view of society as a whole. Judaism has held that life is divided into two EQUAL spheres -- public and private. Traditionally, Judaism has seen the man's role as public and the woman's role as private. The reasons for this division are both practical and natural.
Jewish law requires men to support their families and fulfill certain spiritual obligations, such as praying with a Minyan three times a day. Women, on the other hand, are responsible for ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people by providing a Jewish home for their families. Women are exempt from time-bound obligations, such as praying with a Minyan, because their function in the home makes it impossible to be in both places at the same time. However, it must be stressed, that although women are not obligated to fulfill time-bound mitzvot, they are not prohibited from doing so.
Judaism's definitions of the public and private roles are based on two elements: the need for structure within society and the nature of men and women. In general, Jewish tradition holds that men are less nurturing and possess less innate spirituality (Binah) than women. Because these qualities are critical in providing a happy home, this obligation falls on women. Conversely, because by their nature, men are more physical and (less spiritual) than women, the obligation to pray and fulfill other mitzvot that bring them closer to G-d, falls on men.
However, the fact remains that women are as well educated today as men, and often feel left out of the intellectual sphere of Judaism. While it is true, that in the past, Jewish women were not encouraged to study Torah, there never was a prohibition of such study, and there abound many examples of highly learned women in Jewish history. There is wide latitude within the framework of traditional Judaism to allow women to participate fully in the intellectual and spiritual life of Judaism. Many synagogues and learning institutions offer high level courses, study groups and other venues which which provide women the spiritual and intellectual participation in religious life that they may have felt was lacking.
This is a complex issue involving the nature of human beings, changing traditions, and the needs of society as a whole. While many criticize the failure of religion to meet the changing traditions of society, it must also be pointed out that secular society has not done such a great job of managing these problems either. In fact, the result is somewhat chaotic.
Judaism holds that for any society to work there has to be structure. Although this structure may not be perfect for everyone, ultimate benefit is obtained when the the greatest needs of each individual is met, while preserving the peace and structure of society as a whole. The evolving laws of Judaism have always encompassed this goal. Indeed, Judaism has survived because it has the flexibility to meet the needs of its individuals and the structure to preserve its society. Can you name any other culture that has achieved this balance better than traditional Judaism?
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What is Judaism's position on an afterlife?
Judaism holds that there is an afterlife, but is somewhat vague on the form it will take. Since no one has died and come back to describe the afterlife, we can only surmise. (Recently, there have been books and stories about people who have died and come back to life. However, even these experiences deal with just the exact moment between life and death and not with eternal existence. Nobody has ever experienced eternity and come back to tell about it.)
Although the Christian concept of afterlife is derived from Judaism, there are differences in how it is perceived. Judaism stresses the importance of living a good and G-dly life , not just to ensure our place in the world to come, but also for the sake of our lives here on Earth. In general, it is our responsibility to take care of now, and let G-d take care of later. Overemphasis on the afterlife is unhealthy. We have seen how, in other religions, it has led to terrible evil. To kill the body for the sake of the immortal soul (as in the holy inquisition) or to commit murder for the sake of sainthood (as in jihad) are concepts totally alien to Judaism. Another major difference is that Judaism believes that salvation is within the reach of all who live a good life, Jews and non-Jews alike. And finally, Judaism believes that we must save ourselves and do our own repentance to achieve the world to come -- we have no intermediary such as Jesus to do it for us.
For the frail and imperfect mortal human being, belief in an afterlife is reassuring. Although we cannot be sure of the form it will take, many Judaic scholars have speculated about its character. Some authorities believe that in the world to come we will be freed of all temporal restrictions and possess only those spiritual qualities that allow us to be formed in G-d's image. Because we will be possessed of spirit only, full comprehension of G-d, which we strive for all our lives, will finally be ours.
Another hopeful explanation embodies the love of Torah study. It is said that in the Garden of Eden the rightous and evil will sit side by side and study Torah for eternity. For the rightous nothing could be more beautiful or fulfilling. However, nothing could be more horrendous to an evil person, since this condemns such a person to an eternity of boredom, perhaps the worst fate there is.
In general, Jewish beliefs concerning the afterlife focus more on the spiritual and less on the physical. Proximity to G-d, rather than bevies of angels, or fire and brimstone, is its essence. The world to come is the culmination of a good life, allowing us to finally achieve what we strive for during our lives -- closeness to G-d.
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