why observe Jewish law?

[cellio]

A friend asked (in a locked post, so I won't link) why I follow Jewish law. What do I get out of it? I want to record my answer here.

I follow the law because it improves my relationship with God and because it elevates mundane tasks.

Consider eating. Animals eat. Humans need to eat, but we have minds and souls and we don't have to be like animals. The simple act of saying a blessing before ("getting permission") and giving thanks afterwards ("grace") elevates the otherwise-coarse act of eating to a holier status. Now consider actually choosing to restrict what I eat (and how I eat it) because I understand that this is what God asks of us. It's such a simple thing to skip the shellfish and, in return, God might reach out a little to me just as I reach out to God. That's a win!

When I was in the process of becoming more religious (that is, moving from being an apatheist to actually paying attention to God), I found that if I sincerely tried, even with baby steps, I saw positive results. Psychologists might well say that that's because I caused those changes through a more positive outlook; if so, so what? Does that matter if God -- or my God-concept -- was the underlying force? We're supposed to take an active role; if by praying to God I get no direct effect from God, but the act itself causes me to improve my own behavior, isn't that still a win? Well, it's not just prayer that can produce that effect. Keeping Shabbat, eating properly, striving to repair the world, studying torah... it's all bundled up in there.

Comments

[cellio]

So only one shul within walking distance? That really limits your options, yes. (I'm used to a bigger community. I can walk to a dozen shuls from my house.)

Finding a community is partly about theological alignment, yes, but at least as important is getting along with people. It's possible that you would find people in non-orthodox movements locally to be less dogmatic while still supportive of your observance level. Or not; I don't live there and can't say. But if you've got, say, a local Conservative congregation, you might want to check them out. There's quite a bit of variation within all movements; as you've seen, not all Orthodox communities are the same, and that's just as true in the other movements.

Someone who can have a discussion and isn't going to respond "just because" if I ask a question.

I have found people like that in most communities, including ones far enough to the right that it surprised me. Ok, your rabbi and rebbetzin are not to your taste; there might be others in the community who are more your style.

Perhaps also I'm looking to get away from my ex before NKJ. Peter.

NKJ? (You've used that abbreviation in your journal a few times but I haven't figured it out.) I take it Peter is the ex?

I think I've just managed to put my finger on it. I need a change of scene.

It sounds like, yes. Do you have the option to get away temporarily, perhaps taking a short-term job out of town, to see how it goes?

3 part Book of our Heritage

I don't know that one, actually.

Plunging headlong is just not the right way for me to tackle this, although that is the way I would ordinarily tackle something.

Where would you like to start? Something theological? Something more practical (observance-oriented)? There are books for baalei t'shuva (people returning to observance) that might help. Heck, some of the books for would-be converts might help; you're not a convert, of course, but they tend to provide a perspective "from the outside looking in", and maybe that would help you.

Thanks for responding.

Happy to (try to) help.

[nobble.livejournal.com]

Anything on the reading front would be a great thing to start with (ie Ba'al t'shuva or conversion.) I think I am looking for practical to start with rather than theological. I have to dedicate the time and go to a shiur regularly to get into the text and the interpretation stuff I think.

NKJ is the father of my son (Nicholas Kent Johnston) and the person who I had a relationship with for almost 7 years.

Peter was the 'boy' prior to Nicholas. He is my shadow. We met at my local Shule while I was back from Law School and then were together for a while as I was doing postgrad law my first time in Canberra. he seems to be seriously twisted these days. The first time he saw me in the supermarket he ran away! At speed! I haven't really spent time with him since 1996.

[cellio]

Teshuva: A Guide for the Newly Observant Jew by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is quite good. It's got a lot of practical stuff and also some spiritual, and it's easy to jump around in it if that's what you want.

A book I didn't like, but others might, is After the Return by Rabbis Becher and Newman. I thought it was a little too, err, harsh? It didn't seem to focus as much on transition states for, say, dealing with relatives. But it's been several years since I read it, so I mention it in passing.

Pathways: Jews Who Return by Richard Greenberg is a collection of personal stories. Some will resonate and some won't; which ones fit which group varies by reader.

Becoming a Jew by Rabbi Maurice Lamm is for would-be converts and is written from an Orthodox perspective. I remember it being pretty informative and having a fair bit about practice, though I haven't reread it recently.

How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household by Blu Greenberg comes highly recommended, though I've only skimmed bits of it. Again, Orthodox perspective.

I hope some of these help. (I also hope you can borrow some rather than shelling out based only on my recommendation. I haven't checked which have excerpts posted at Amazon.)

[nobble.livejournal.com]

I'll have a look around and see what I can borrow. Thanks for the starting suggestions!