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What keeps Judaism? (Times of Israel 29 Nov 2024)
What is Judaism?
Is it a religion, a way of life, a country, a nation, or simply a group of people chosen by God? Judaism, I would argue, is a blend of all these elements. However, the "ingredients" vary for each individual Jew. Some identify more strongly with the religious aspects, others with their connection to Israel, their heritage, or their sense of mission and purpose.
Who is a Jew?
The question "Who is a Jew?" yields different answers depending on whether one adheres to Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or secular perspectives. Despite these differences, all denominations generally agree on a fundamental definition: a Jew is someone born to a Jewish mother or someone who has undergone an Orthodox conversion. This definition is widely accepted across the Jewish spectrum.
However, some Reform communities recognize broader criteria. Beyond the traditional definition, they may also accept Jewish identity through a Jewish father or through self-identification as Jewish.
The Five Pillars of today's Judaism
1. Identity and Exclusivity
The first pillar sustaining Judaism is its relatively selective approach to defining Jewish identity. This exclusivity is further reinforced by the tradition of Jews marrying within the faith. Even in cases where interfaith marriages occur, there is often an effort to ensure the non-Jewish spouse converts to Judaism before marriage.2. Continuity of Law and Tradition
Judaism has upheld the same core laws and customs for over 4,000 years. The Ten Commandments, given to Moses by God, remain central to Jewish life. While some laws have been slightly adapted to suit modern realities, their essence endures.For example, on Shabbat, elevators in certain communities are programmed to stop automatically on each floor, allowing observant Jews to avoid pressing buttons, which might generate a spark—a prohibited act on Shabbat. This consistency enables Jews, wherever they may be, to maintain their liturgy, traditions, and way of life.
3. Family and Community
The third pillar is the centrality of family, and the need for a Minyan for many rituals and prayers. Additionally, most communities strive to establish synagogues, schools, and cultural organizations that serve as vital frameworks, ensuring Judaism remains vibrant and dynamic.4. The Land of Israel
The fourth pillar of Judaism is the land. Despite centuries of exile and expulsion by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Fatimids, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians, and Mamelukes, Jews have always maintained a deep connection to Israel.In 1948, more than 3,000 years after God promised Moses the land of Canaan, the Jewish people reestablished a modern state: Israel. No other people have been uniquely entrusted by God with both a divine code of laws and a specific land in which to live out that covenant.
5. Resilience
The fifth pillar is the resilience of the Jewish People to confront what appears to be eternal antisemitism.Throughout history, millions of Jews have faced humiliation, persecution, expulsion, and even murder. Yet instead of eroding their resolve, these adversities have often reinforced their sense of purpose. Antisemitism has instilled a fighting spirit and strong resilience in the Jewish people, embodied in the powerful vow: Never Again.
Together, these elements—identity, law, family, community, land, and resilience—have sustained Judaism through millennia, shaping it into a faith, culture, and civilization that endures against all odds.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/what-keeps-judaism/
( Por: Yehudi Sabbagh , 29/11/2024 )
