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Finding God by Living Judaism
April-May 2016
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“Dear God,
How can I stay close to you? In this world we live in where everything is vying for our time and money. In this world where it is easy to lose hope at the scope of global problems. In this world where hatred and fear seem to garner much stronger currency than love and community. With all of these how can I find you?
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On the news we hear daily of another shooting; we hear blame and fear mongering and truly scary statements from our years-long political cycle. We hear of refugees walking across Europe; we hear of dictators bombing their own people; sectarian war where we think perhaps both groups would be OUR enemies; failed states and failed interventions; a tumultuous stock market that leaves many fearing for the security of our future. Where in this might I find You, God?”
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I think we have to look inside and closer to home. I believe we have to look to love, community and commitment. We need to take the time to turn off the noise, tune out the fear; look away from the very real and very scary things in the world and reconnect to ourselves as people and our roots as a community of Jews.
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Coming to Shabbat worship will not solve a global crisis, but it might leave you with renewed energy to tackle your next battle at work. Having a Seder will not eliminate a world where politicians use fear mongering to garner more votes; but it might leave you supported by your family. And continuing to eat matza for seven days, eliminating the five grains of chametz from your diet and household (wheat, barley, spelt, rye and oats,) will not stop mass shootings, or solve the refugee crisis or any other of the “big problems” of the 21st century. But a one week commitment to change your diet because it’s what Jews do, might grow your relationship with God so that you can feel God cut through the noise of life.
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What would it mean to feel God? What might I do to feel God again? Perhaps this push and pull is the crux of the problem. On the one side “I’m not sure I’ve ever felt close to God” on the other “I don’t want to change my life.” Often I think it is not until we reach crisis that we are aware our life is missing something. It is easy to know or understand how the synagogue, worship or community can add value to a life or a family if it has added that value. It is nearly impossible to know the added value from the outside. If you have never felt close to God why would you change your life? But perhaps you do feel something missing. Perhaps, like me, you feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing the world. When one feels overwhelmed we are forced to change something in our lives or we suffer consequences (often personal health consequences). Maybe you have tried exercise to relieve your stress. Maybe you take medication. I am suggesting to you that Jewish practice and Jewish commitment might be another tool for dealing with this stress. And I know that the more you commit to it, the more it can bring you.
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Next time you want to shout a screed at your television, come worship with us. You are hopeless over a headline? Say a blessing over your meal. You are overwhelmed by the struggle in your life? Come celebrate a simcha with your community. If you can turn to Judaism and Temple Rodeph Torah as you engage with the problems of life and the world, you will strengthen that tool and it will be more and more useful to you. I have faith that when doing Jewish becomes a habit, when it is the place you turn to, this is where you will find God; not every time, but here.
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As our calendar turns us to Pesach, Yom haShoah, Yom haZikaron, Yom haAtzmaut and the weeks of the Omer leading up to Shavuot we have so many opportunities to rededicate ourselves to God, so many opportunities to say blessings for food (and special food), for family, those who celebrate with us, and those no longer at our tables. For life as a free people in a free land. For our homeland Israel, a land we yearned for, for generations and a land struggling internally for what it means to be a free and democratic society and externally for how to survive in a world filled with hatred. And the blessing of marking time, knowing that each day is noticed and each day has Jewish content. Each day leads us to Sinai, to the Jewish people’s ultimate connection with God. I hope in this spring time journey you will find a closeness to God. I hope you will find a way to connect to Judaism. I hope you will allow Judaism to be a tool in strengthening you against the struggles our world faces. I pray you will pick at least one thing and discover the value added to your life.