Introduction to JudaismUSE RIGHT OR LEFT ARROWS TO GO FORWARD OR BACK

Living a Jewish LifeUnit 7, Session 1bRabbi Jonathan Keren-Black

Leo Baeck Centre - East Kew - 2009/5770Revised 2013/5774 for Introduction to Judaism Course

The Halahic Process (h is another way of writing ‘ch’ as in ‘loch’) The Mishna and G’marah tried to determine

‘what a Jew should do’ in any given situation – what is 'the right way to go'?

The verb ‘one goes' or ‘one walks' is ‘HoLeH'. From that verb we get ‘HaLaHa' (Jewish law). If one does something according to 'halaha' then

we call it 'halahic'. Seriously orthodox Jews try to follow the 'halaha’

strictly. Seriously Progressive Jews decide what is

meaningful and helpful to them.

THE VALUE OF TRADITION The wide range and experience of

Jewish traditions over the millenia is of great importance and value.

However it is not always relevant and meaningful to our lives today.

Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan, founder of Reconstructionist Judaism (d.1983), now a part of Progressive Judaism, sagely said:

‘Tradition has a VOTE, but not a VETO’

Progressive Choice

Ethical behaviour is often pretty clear. Ritual rapidly becomes very complicated. Progressive Judaism is based on

empowering people to make EDUCATED CHOICES

Ask yourself: ‘Do you understand the origin and background of this tradition or ritual?’

When you have researched, understood and experienced it, then ask ‘Does this practice help bring God into your life, at this stage in your life?’ (the answer may change over time).

MEZUZAH and Chanukat HabayitMEZUZAH means doorpost

Two passages from Deuteronomy are written on a small scroll and attached to the doorpost, usually in a little container.

We read in the Sh’ma ‘write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates. The gates are the gates of a Jewish city.

TZEDAKA – from TZ’D’K - JusticeGLEANING - Arthur Hughes DOING THE RIGHT THING

Tzedek, tzedek tirdof Justice, justice should

you pursue (Deuteronomy 16:20)

Tzedaka is an obligation.

MAIMONIDES’ ladder, MT p.207

Maimonides listed a hierarchy of giving:

from giving the smallest coin, grudgingly

to giving without donor or recipient knowing the identity of the other.

Highest of all is to give anonymously so that recipients are able to earn for themselves, without knowing the identity of the donor (‘teach a person to fish...’)

G’MILUT CHASADIM Deeds of unconditional love: Telephone counselling Sharing experience of breast cancer Cooking meals for, serving and

befriending the homeless Supporting refugees and asylum

seekers Cleaning the environment Political activity

BIKKUR CHOLIM Visiting the sick Providing company Bringing food or

gifts A visit doesn’t need

to be long Don’t tire the

patient Thank them for the

opportunity to do the mitzvah

Henri Geoffroy (1853–1924, French painter) 

HACHNASAT ORCHIM Literally ‘the gathering of guests’

(same root as Knesset as in Bet Knesset and The Knesset: House of Assembly - synagogue and ‘The Assembly’ - Israel’s Parliament).

Abraham is the model of hospitality when welcoming his unknown guests (Gen 18:2)

Share shabbat meals and other festivals, especially Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, end of Yom Kippur etc.

Guests should not outstay their welcome!

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES Helping the wedding couple Working to remember and free

captives Caring for the elderly relatives and

others. ‘Lifnei seivah takum’ – rise in the presence of grey hair’ (Lev 19:32), which is quoted in Israeli buses and trains!

Tza’ar Ba’alei Chayim - Protection of animals, eg not taking a bird and its eggs, feeding animals before yourself.

CARING FOR THE DEAD It is considered to be the highest

Mitzvah to prepare the deceased for burial – the Chevra Kadisha – ‘holy group’ does so.

There can be no expectation that the dead person will thank or reward you.

It is a mitzvah to support the bereaved...

especially ongoing support after a death for widows and orphans (a common biblical refrain, e.g. Exodus: 22:21)

BAL TASCHIT – Do not destroy

Based on the injunction not to cut down fruit trees even when besieging a city (Deuteronomy 20:19)

We are not supposed to waste. Maimonides ruled that even if

someone wanted to be buried in their favourite coat, they couldn’t – it was a waste!

HAVA’AT SHALOM ‘Work for peace, first in your heart,

then in your family, then in your community, then in your land’.

Judaism is a peace-loving (but not a pacifist) religion. Bikeish Shalom V’rodfeihu – Seek Peace and Pursue it - Psalm 34:14

Shabbat and HavdalahExamples of Ritual Mitzvot

Two particular areas for consideration as examples

Two very important areas where each person or family needs to work out what works best for them in bringing God and spirituality into their life are:

Kashrut – what and how you eat every day – For the next session, please view the powerpoint U7-2 Kashrut on this subject.

Shabbat – how you mark the cycle of time and a day of rest in each week. The powerpoint for session U7-3 Shabbat addresses this subject.

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