Serious question for my Jewish brothers... (Frank and Robert, and no offense is intended or implied)
Neither of you actually believe in God, am I right? (If I am wrong, my apologies)
If that's the case, what's the point in following a tradition you don't believe in?
MACS wrote:
First of all, Happy New Year, my friend.
Second, you never have to apologize to me for questions like these.
I wish the first simple yes no question could be answered with a simple yes or no, at least for me personally.
I simply don't know, but I figure if there is something beyond I'll find out eventually.
And I may have reason to decide before my demise, but I can not know that currently.
I understand the "faith" so many of my friends share in their religious beliefs, and I am sincerely happy for them that it answers some questions with which I continue to struggle.
I'll apologize up front for an unsatisfactory response to the second question.
I believe that Judaism is a bloodline. We do not proselytize, we even make it difficult for people to convert.
For me, the traditions have existed for at least a couple of millenium (millenia?) and provide a sense of having traceable roots to the beginning of recorded history. That brings an enormous responsibility for care taking with it, if one is willing to appreciate that history.
I am willing.
I see so many without this foundation, this blessing, upon which to build their lives and families that I simply do not want to be the last of us on Earth. Truly, it is an advantage in many ways.
I'm not sure how to properly use the word "diaspora", but we have been the victims of it for centuries, yet the common bond could never die, could not be extinguished, despite the best/worst efforts of many otherwise successful civilizations. That bond is all about our traditions, for many of us that includes strong faith, but I've never been given a litmus test by any Rabbi in my life.
I am intimately aware of the sacrifices of more recent generations on both sides of my family. But I do not have a family tree that goes much further back than the mid/late 1800's. I'm certain it is a repeat of the lives of my family since then.
Knowing what my grandparents and great grandparents endured to make it possible for me to live this great American life, and to reclaim the modern State of Israel, I can not fathom turning away from the traditions they kept alive against the greatest of odds.
