Why are you a religious/torah observant Jew?

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  • #618758
    szb1
    Member

    Why are you a religious/torah observant Jew?

    #1196471
    Joseph
    Participant

    Because Hashem said I must be.

    #1196472
    mobico
    Participant

    Aside from that which it is incredibly fulfilling, intellectual honesty demands it.

    #1196473

    it is a zchus to be part of Hashems treasured nation & to serve the KING OF KINGS Hashem

    #1196474
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Why do I live?

    #1196475
    Avi K
    Participant

    I believe in Hashem and have seen his hashgacha in my life. It follows that I must keep my obligations to Him.

    #1196476
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    mobica – +1

    MA & Joseph +1

    #1196477
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    This world is temporary. We all die sooner or later, and the game is up, and you go on to your eternal reward (hopefully). If you don’t do Mitzvos, then what was the point of your life? What do you have to take with you to Olam Haemes (the True and eternal world)?

    The purpose of this world is to merit reward in the Eternal World-to-come. If you don’t do Mitzvos, you have missed the point and your life and death are meaningless.

    Also, as Mobico said, it is incredibly fulfilling and brings meaning to your life and to everything you do. Being Frum, learning Torah and doing Mitzvos, and living a life dedicated to serving Hashem is the most amazing and awesome thing in the world!

    Everyone values and needs relationships. That is probably the main thing that any human needs and wants. A relationship with Hashem is the best and most fulfilling relationship a person could ask for. (which is also the reason that I don’t consider being single to be a crisis.)

    #1196478
    WinnieThePooh
    Participant

    All very holy answers, but I think the honest truth is because I was born into such a family. I shudder to think what would have happened had I not been- would I have had the opportunity and courage to recognize the truth and change? I’m in awe of BTs how they can leave so much behind and take on a new life. And I wonder what was my zechus that I did not have to face that challenge. Just thinking about those odds- frum Jews are just a small percentage of total Jewry, yet Hashem decided to send my Neshama down to my family, from all the Jewish families out there, so that I could be raised frum and appreciate Torah.

    #1196479
    Little Froggie
    Participant

    Winnie:

    That is precisely the essence of the Aleinu Tefillah. Our appreciation that we are able to recognize and give reverence and thanks to our Great Creator.

    #1196480
    mobico
    Participant

    WinnieThePooh – I quite agree. I do believe that Hashem gives every Jew the opportunity to connect to Emes, but there’s an awful lot of noise that it is hard to hear through … I am privileged to work with Ba’alei Teshuvah regularly and I have joked about the “inferiority complex” of the FFB – would I have been able to do the same had I not been born Frum?

    Of course, none of that affects my earlier response.

    #1196481
    szb1
    Member

    Thank you all for your answers and not belittling my question.

    Lets say that the person that asks you such a question is anti-religion. What would you say to them?

    The recent events in the USA have been a reminder of why I’m a religious Jew. Even though Hashem is in control, Hishtadlus is still very important. I am BT and live in Israel now.

    #1196482
    szb1
    Member

    Lets say that the person that asks you such a question is anti-religion. What would you say to them? Or just anyone who has had so little contact with Jews especially Torah Jews?

    #1196483
    zahavasdad
    Participant

    in general its best not to get into theological discussions with people who are anti-religious.

    #1196484
    szb1
    Member

    I try not to get into it but its come up on its own sometimes. Like lets say they aren’t totally anti just really turned off?

    #1196485
    szb1
    Member

    I guess sometimes its good to stop and think about why I’m doing this, and I think dealing with these types of people has inspired me to think about it more.

    #1196486
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    ZD is right.

    How does it come up?

    #1196487
    szb1
    Member

    It just comes up on its own. My best friend not-Jewish(from before I was frum). Shes really into learning about other cultures.Religion is ok as long as its not being missionized (which I don’t, but will answer questions if asked and I can answer it properly) “Religions have too many rules”.I try to stay away from it but she sometimes asks me things about Judaism just general curiosity. I’m usually just like ok thats great next topic.

    But on a side note I was just curious to hear what kind of answers you all had to my original question.

    #1196488
    zahavasdad
    Participant

    If you get such questions, try to minimize the answers

    I sometimes get such questions and if I cant dodge the question, I answer as minimally as possible

    I am going on a limb here and dont think you should give up friends from before, but others here will disagree with me

    #1196489
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    szb1: It really has a lot to do with the individual person – are they more emotional or more intellectual? What are their reasons for being anti-religion? You may have to listen to them first and see what they say and where the conversation goes, first empathize with them and then steer the conversation accordingly.

    I would probably talk about the purpose in life. Point out to them that there HAS to be a purpose in life. Maybe ask them what they think life is about? Point out that it ends one day, and then what?

    But the specific approach may have to take a more emotional bent if the person is a more emotional type. If they are more logical and intellectual, you can focus more on the intellectual reasons why it makes sense to be Frum, and if she is more emotional, you may have to talk more about meaning and fulfillment.

    Aish HaTorah put out a video years ago about doing kiruv. I never saw it, but it sounds like it could be helpful. I think it was called Inspired or something like that.

    #1196490
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    Some people focus on their responsibilities in Olam Hazeh. They don’t think of earning a reward for the next world, like living for Heaven. Rather, serving Hashem here because that’s what is known for sure.

    Dunno, I noticed that some people focus more on the afterlife, which to me feels weird. I want to be good in this world (though I am not totally religious so I don’t know if I can reply here). I believe that our souls are immortal. Just not expecting some eternal prize for doing mitzvot. More like getting closer to Hashem.


    Is that weird?

    And am I misunderstanding why some people fulfill mitzvot for the sake of a good life in Olam Habah?

    Thanks

    #1196491
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    Lightbrite – I think it should be both.I think both are important. One is probably more connected to Ahavas Hashem and the other to Yiras Hashem.

    You need both. If you are only doing things for Yiras Hashem and reward in Olam Haba, you are missing the point, and you are missing out on a relationship with Hashem, and your Avodas Hashem is liable to be superficial.

    On the other hand, if it is only about Olam Hazeh and Ahavas Hashem, while that is wonderful, you still need the Yiras Hashem part to keep you from stumbling. What happens when you are faced with temptation and Ahavas Hashem is not enough to keep you from giving in? What happens if at some point, c”v, you don’t feel so happy being Frum (hopefully just as a temporary stage while going through a hard time)?

    In any case, as always, I am exceedingly impressed by your Ahavas Hashem, your love for Yiddishkeit, and your understanding that the main thing is our relationship with Hashem which takes place now and should be for its own sake and not for the sake of a reward. That is an attitude that some are missing, and I agree that it is a problem since this should be the main thing.

    I think that it can be a matter of chinuch and/or personality. I think that for many years, I only had the Yiras Hashem/focus on Olam Haba aspect because somehow the other aspect had been lacking in my chinuch somehow. Boruch Hashem, I eventually picked it up, although of course, there is always room for growth.

    #1196492
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    lilmod ulelamaid: Thank you thank you!!!! That really helps. Okay I didn’t realize that on the flip side, my focus on doing what I need to do in this world could throw me off balance.

    Thinking about the consequence of Yiras Hashem can help keep one from straying.

    If I didn’t think about the after-effects of eating an entire cake, pie, and box of cookies, then it would be all too easy to nosh away. However, knowing that doing so would have dire consequences, and eating healthy foods is good for me, B”H prevents me from going that far today.

    While I cannot prove that transgressions in this world will leave me feeling gross in Olam Habah, having faith in Yiras Hashem can be enough to make sure that I’m not consuming in, engaging in, or devouring a boatload of metaphorical transgressions while I’m still in the mortal realm.

    Thanks again for the explanation. Makes sense 🙂

    #1196493
    Lilmod Ulelamaid
    Participant

    LB- Also, not to pressure you or anything, since I know that you are in a process, and it’s crucial to take things slowly and grow in a healthy pace. But, it is also important to know what our goals are. So you should be aware that part of Yiddishkeit is believing in certain things. And I think we are supposed to believe that there is reward and punishment in the World-to-Come. Not just to prevent us from straying, but because it is Emes and we are supposed to believe it.

    If you prefer not to think about it too much, that is fine, but it is important to believe in it (when you feel ready). In Judaism, the beliefs are important and not just the actions.

    Again, I do want to stress my great admiration for your love for and enthusiasm for Yiddishkeit for its own sake. I have a lot to learn from you.

    Thanks!

    #1196494
    BerWejCnam
    Participant

    Is there a mkoir for this that was mentioned above –

    in general its best not to get into theological discussions with people who are anti-religious – Cause I can’t work out it’s either a rambam or just what they teach in certain ultra-orthodox schools? (I went to one so I know the type of stuff they teach there)

    #1196495
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    Thanks lilmod ulelamaid!

    #1196496
    szb1
    Member

    I don’t purposely go out of my way to go into theological discussions with people like that. Sometimes they bring it up themselves. I just do whatever I can to steer it away.

    #1196497
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    Because of Joseph’s posts. They showed me how beautiful the torah is and how it makes its adherents into good people.

    #1196498
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    What are people?

    #1196499
    tznius
    Member

    Because i believe in Hashem. You CANT truly believe in Hashem if you dont keep the Torah. You cant keep by the Torah and not believe in Hashem. They go together you need to be an observant Jew in order to truly believe in Hashem and in order to believe in Hashem you must keep the Torah.

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