I often receive email like this one from a reader who is hungry to learn more about his Judaism. A Jew who returns with total commitment to Judaism is known as a baal teshuvah, which means a master of returning. I share this column now because the High Holy Days season is known as the period of Teshuvah, often translated as repentance. The word teshuvah comes from the Hebrew root shuv which means to return. The idea of Teshuvah is that we are returning or committing ourselves anew to behave like mentches — in kind and decent ways, according to the teachings and commandments of our Torah and tradition. A Jew can return to Judaism at any time and to any degree, as you can see below.

Dear Gil: 

I grew up in a very non-religious, atheist, Jewish family. I was always confused about my religion, because my parents liked to emphasize to me that although they didn’t believe in God,Judaism was still very important. I have never understood this. I am 27 and am just now starting to explore my Jewish heritage. 

I know very little about my culture, and I don’t even know what the major holidays represent. Having read on AOL your brief excerpts on the importance of recognizing "our" heritage, I feel compelled to learn more. I just thought I would  let you know I feel inspired to become more informed about my Jewish background, and that I hope my studies will answer the many questions I’ve stored in the back of my mind. 

P 

Dear P: 

Your email reminds me of an unusual Jew I heard about. This fellow was a poor, nearly illiterate, agriculture worker who worked for a wealthy Jewish rancher. The unskilled laborer fell in love with the boss’s daughter. The daughter loved him too but said she’d only marry him if he studied Judaism. 

He agreed even though he could barely write his own name and was already 40 years old. Study he did, and he became one of the greatest rabbis of all time. His name was Rabbi Akiva and he lived about 2000 years ago. Many schools today are named for him in part to honor the value of learning in Judaism and that Jewish learning can begin at any age. 

So here we are 2000 years later, and thanks to the Internet, Jewish learning has never been more accessible. I suggest you enter the words "Jewish learning" into any search engine and you will find resources that can keep you going for years. As a start, try www.myjewishlearning.com. I constantly receive email from others like you who are exploring their Judaism anew. This sort of good news does not make headlines in this day and age of angst over our diminishing numbers, assimilation, low birth rate, etc. 

So, I decided to feature your email, precisely to make a headline — Returning to Judaism. I am doing this for two reasons. The first is to give you and others encouragement. I want you all to know that you are not unique in wanting to examine or reexamine Judaism and your connection to it. I have even heard from senior citizens who are looking at their Judaism seriously for the first time in their lives! Know that there are many other adults like you, who have "questions stored in the back of their minds." Further, the "stuff of Judaism" is adult material, says Rabbi Harold Kushner, and he is right. For example, Judaism has much to say about such adult topics as: how to deal with work, aging parents, raising children, health, friends, enemies etc. 

A second reason I wanted to feature your email is the running argument among Jewish academics, rabbis, and leaders about whether to spend Jewish communal resources on Jews who are active (the core) or on Jews who are disconnected from Jewish life (the periphery). 

Some argue that the Jewish community should invest resources only on Jews at the core and not waste time and money on Jews on the periphery. Your email and contacts I have had with countless other Jews like you lead me to reject this argument. 

My own experience is that Jews may and do come to their Judaism for many reasons at many times in their lives: a birth, a death, a career issue, a marriage issue, a hunger for spirituality, an exposure to Israel, meeting an impressive Jew, reading an influential book, and on and on. 

We can never know what will motivate a Jew to further delve into Judaism — regardless of how connected or disconnected they are to Jewish life. I have found the same approach works for any kind of Jew. The approach is simple: a personal touch, a warm welcome, and a willingness to genuinely entertain any questions no matter how intelligent, ignorant, or challenging. 

I don’t believe we can afford anything less. Besides, the next Rabbi Akiva may be out there… perhaps it is you? Thanks for writing! 

Gil  

cover | next page