My initial thought was that Judaism and atheism are mutually exclusive, but upon reflection and what I have learned from being a Jew, I think my initial thought was incorrect. Here's why: There are many things I love about being Jewish, but maybe my favorite is that we are taught to question, including our own religion. As GOD said, there is no right way and wrong way to be a Jew. It is an individual sport. When I was 10, I loved bacon but decided that I could honor my Judaism if I didn't eat pork. I have never had it again, although yes, I eat shellfish and don't keep kosher in any other way. My point is , if the essence of Judaism is to ask questions and think for yourself, then it must be that we have to be able to ask the biggest question - Is there a G-d? I loved my Bar Mitzvah and love that I was Bar Mitzvahed. Your nephew is Jewish, and will be, at least culturally (and technically religiously too because of his mother.) When he is older, he will really appreciate the connection the ceremony gives him to his culture, if not his religion. Moreover, if he sees the religion as one where he is allowed to think for himself about G-d, maybe the ceremony can be a vessel for that.
Wonderful post. Repped. I don't care much if my nephew believes in god, that's up to him to work through. But it does matter to m that he understands and appreciates his cultural heritage and is proud of Judaism. I want him to understand the compassion, respect for education, and familial closeness that I believe is the core of who we are. I will open the dialogue next week on vacation, and I hope I can do it in such a way to keep him interested over a long period of time.
It occurs to me that virtually all of the Jewish rituals, customs, and rites of passage, etc. are steeped in religion. In other words, God-based/ordained. Am I wrong in that assessment?
Steeped in religion, well some certainly are. But where they came from is only part of the equation. What we do with those ideas from here on out is another thing. I would say in the past there have been two strong pressures which have influenced the bulk of Jewish culture today. The first is Religion. The second is how we were treated throughout the past couple millennia, including the many diaspora, living in ghettos, being barred from owning land or working many jobs, being killed by the millions and not being invited into mainstream society. Just because the second pressure helped forge the culture I'm proud of, doesn't mean the Nazi's were right or good. Just as the first pressure also helped build our culture doesn't mean that religion was right or good. I have respect for the religion and religious aspects of Judaism. I know my prayers, have had my Bar Mitzvah and actually enjoy celebrating many of the Jewish holidays, even religious ones like Passover. But I simply pay attention to different aspects of the seder for example than a devout person might. I find no glory in the parts of god parting the Red Sea, but I find beauty in the ideals expressed in the story, freeing everyone from bondage, working to support freedom and compassion worldwide. This has been the foundation of my culture. Lets continue with the Passover Seder (diner and prayers) for the example. Every year the custom in my family has been to have open and long discussions at Seder dinner about specific peoples around the globe that are Not free, we talk about who they are, why they struggle, who is oppressing them and so on. My family has financially supported people trying to illegally flee oppressive lands. This is the essence of my culture. Not god.
Oh vey. It seems a common custom for sure. As far as I know I have no relatives in the Bay Area, but I'm sure either one of us would feel quite comfortable at each others Seder. What's your favorite food of the night? I'm going with haroset.
Well it's a tradition that's been around for thousands of years. I assume one of your great relatives had a kid with one of God's relatives.
