Today I attended the last class in a series on the Haggadah. This educational series was one of what I hope to be several more learning opportunities that were started by our synagogue in honor of our Rabbi's 30th Anniversary. The classes included the history of the Haggadah and its components and because Passover was the one holiday that I previously had a solid understanding of both the history and the traditions surrounding the holiday; I was able to reach a higher level of understanding of the traditions, the meaning and the aspects of the Haggadah and of Passover. That was until today.
Today we discussed Elijah and his role as a forerunner for the Messiah. I knew that much of the discussion would be over my head. I still need to learn about the prophets and about the historical events of their times. At some point, I hope to better understand who Elijah was and his role, both past and future, in the history of the Jewish people. Today's class was a great place to start on that part of my education and I was eager to hear and absorb as much as I could. However, I was not prepared to have my thoughts (and questions) expand to the Messianic Period.
I have a basic understanding of what the Messiah will bring and that Jewish people believe that the Messiah is still to come. I know some religions believe the Messiah has already been here and that other religions believe that the Messiah has yet to come. But beyond those basic generalities, I really know nothing about what different people feel the Messianic Period will bring. To be honest, I really wasn't sure that people really believe it will ever actually occur. I had assumed the Jewish religion teaches belief in the Messiah to encourage us to live respectable, honorable lives. Up until this point in my life, religious beliefs were very abstract and without historical knowledge I have been unable to put them in perspective. I guess that is really what I am trying to accomplish with this journey I am on.
While we briefly talked about the opinions on what the Messianic Period would be like and different opinions on what it will take for it to occur; I began to realize that for every movement, faction or sector of our religion alone, there must be multiple views on topics such as the Messianic Period. It would be so interesting to me to learn the differences in thoughts by the various Jewish groups in the different Judiac movements. I have come to realize that my assumptions on the "Jewish view" is meaningless. Although most Jewish religious beliefs are universally held, I imagine there are multiple views on each of these issues and, I think, that's what makes Judaism so special.
As I continue to attend classes, I see how different religious individuals have different opinions even on the lessons of the Torah. I had always thought that religious people accepted and believed personally without questioning but I am learning that is not the case. I imagine that even among Rabbis within a movement, there must be personal difference in what they believe. I realized today that as I continue in my learning, I need to recognize which aspects of our religion are believed without question, which are believed based on known history and which may be controversial. I see now that without knowledge, my beliefs (or doubts) were without merit. Coming from a background in medicine and science, it as always been difficult for me to accept things that are simply assumed; but I see the more I learn about our historical past, the more I will understand and hopefully accept the Jewish religious beliefs.
I left the class today overwhelmed with the feeling that there are so many levels of understanding that I need to conquer. I left questioning what I had previously thought about the Messiah and the Messianic Period. I see now that my own personal beliefs will have to wait until I become more educated. I understand that I need to let go of any assumptions I may have previously had and learn "big picture" before deciding what I believe on specific topics. I need to eventually find the balance in what I am learning and what beliefs are commonly held. As I progress with my education, I will continue to explore accepted Jewish beliefs, historical backgrounds and even the personal beliefs of the religious people that I have met and respect. I think I will start with asking my Rabbi his thoughts on the Messianic Period and if he personally believes it will ever occur.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Israel is Turning 65 - A Reflection of History as Viewed From 1968 and My Own Historical (Limited) Knowledge
In addition to understanding my religion, I would like to eventually learn Hebrew but I need to learn about Israel. Certainly, growing up in a Jewish Detroit suburb, I knew of Israel, but I knew very little about Israel. We celebrated Israel's Independency Day in BBYO; but I never really knew the history of what lead to that day, or the more recent history of Israel for that matter. All I really remember during my youth is hearing "no land for peace."
So today I started my study of Israel. I am starting with the history. Years ago, in the Melton Adult Education Course, I did have a history class but the pace was too fast for me as I had such little knowledge of both biblical events and of history in general. As a math and science kid, history was never interesting to me.
Recently, I found a 20th Israel Anniversary publication by the United Press International while cleaning out my mother's basement. I thought, in honor of Israel's 65th Anniversary, I would start with that magazine. There was a good review of the events prior to 1948 and I was able to get a good sense of the time line and events from 2000 BCE on. So often, I hear of the successes of the Jewish leaders, both accomplishments and defeats of my ancestors, and the historical events of Israel; but I have never been able to relate them to a span of time. Putting the events, key players and subsequent changes in Israel on a time line helped me put it all together.
The articles I have read so far discussed the first twenty years of Israel's history and were written from the perspective of the time of publication - 1968. It was interesting to read opinions contrasting the dynamic and determined Jews of "present day" Israel and their vs. the ghetto Jews of the past. I came to understand the reasons and drive for both the diaspora and return or immigration of Jews to Israel. It was fascinating to learn that there were 80,000 Jews in Israel in 1914, 650,000 in 1948 and 2.5 million Jews in Israel in 1968. I believe the current Jewish population in Israel is close to 6 million. I gained a better understanding of Zionism and the role that the world Jewry has played over those early years which has lead me to understand the importance and drive of organizations such as the JUF and the Jewish Federation.
I had mixed feelings when reading about the conflicts that the Jewish people have had with the Arab nations throughout time. Up until now, my impression of the Arab-Israeli conflict has been based on a vague sense that the Arabs, for whatever their own religious reasons, felt that Palestine belonged to them just as Jews feel that Israel belonged to them. My impressions were never based on history or facts. I was surprised to learn that the Palestine Arabs first accepted Jewish immigration, dismayed to learn there were 750,000 displaced Arabs as a result of the Independence War and 1.5 million refugees in 1968; and shocked to see the word "terrorism" surface in the 1950's.
I had not previously know about the wars prior to the Six Day War. I did not know that the Arab nations attacked Israel on the early morning hours after the State of Israel was declared. I learned the role the British, the Soviet Union and the US had in the months leading up to and following the Six Day war. While these historical events may be taken for granted by many Jewish people, I have developed an appreciation of Israel and all she had been through to arrive at that time in history. But what really impressed me was the determination and drive that must have lead to the success of the Six Day War. Israel took on multiple nations and in the end their death toll was less than 2% of the total death toll. The strength and will of the Jewish people was something that could not be denied.
Its interesting to reflect on the comments made in this publication from 1968. "Today, as Israel looks to the future it still faces enormous problems. Foremost is the need to develop a functioning economy no longer deeply dependent on foreign aid and the gifts of world Jewry....'Our political and economic problems would seem vastly different, ' says Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, 'if we were 4 million Jews in Israel instead of 2.5 million.'" I don't know enough about present day Israel to comment on this but I think it would be a fascinating starting point to learn about and discuss Israel from 1968 to present.
Land is important of course, but obviously peace has been a more important goal. The comments made regarding the Six Day War were that Israel had won the war but had not won peace. The talks at the time declared that the lands concurred in 1967 would not be released without peace. In 1968, Prime Minister Eshkol was quoted as saying, "Ah my friends, if we have peace, there is so much we can do. There is land, there is water. We will settle the refugee problem. We have come back to stay. This is our Middle East as much as theirs. Israel wants peace and needs peace: I am convinced the Arabs do too. We have seem what can be done in Israel with the necessary will. If there is peace, the whole Middle East will flourish." Once again, what a great starting point for a discussion in the present day.
So today I started my study of Israel. I am starting with the history. Years ago, in the Melton Adult Education Course, I did have a history class but the pace was too fast for me as I had such little knowledge of both biblical events and of history in general. As a math and science kid, history was never interesting to me.
Recently, I found a 20th Israel Anniversary publication by the United Press International while cleaning out my mother's basement. I thought, in honor of Israel's 65th Anniversary, I would start with that magazine. There was a good review of the events prior to 1948 and I was able to get a good sense of the time line and events from 2000 BCE on. So often, I hear of the successes of the Jewish leaders, both accomplishments and defeats of my ancestors, and the historical events of Israel; but I have never been able to relate them to a span of time. Putting the events, key players and subsequent changes in Israel on a time line helped me put it all together.
The articles I have read so far discussed the first twenty years of Israel's history and were written from the perspective of the time of publication - 1968. It was interesting to read opinions contrasting the dynamic and determined Jews of "present day" Israel and their vs. the ghetto Jews of the past. I came to understand the reasons and drive for both the diaspora and return or immigration of Jews to Israel. It was fascinating to learn that there were 80,000 Jews in Israel in 1914, 650,000 in 1948 and 2.5 million Jews in Israel in 1968. I believe the current Jewish population in Israel is close to 6 million. I gained a better understanding of Zionism and the role that the world Jewry has played over those early years which has lead me to understand the importance and drive of organizations such as the JUF and the Jewish Federation.
I had mixed feelings when reading about the conflicts that the Jewish people have had with the Arab nations throughout time. Up until now, my impression of the Arab-Israeli conflict has been based on a vague sense that the Arabs, for whatever their own religious reasons, felt that Palestine belonged to them just as Jews feel that Israel belonged to them. My impressions were never based on history or facts. I was surprised to learn that the Palestine Arabs first accepted Jewish immigration, dismayed to learn there were 750,000 displaced Arabs as a result of the Independence War and 1.5 million refugees in 1968; and shocked to see the word "terrorism" surface in the 1950's.
I had not previously know about the wars prior to the Six Day War. I did not know that the Arab nations attacked Israel on the early morning hours after the State of Israel was declared. I learned the role the British, the Soviet Union and the US had in the months leading up to and following the Six Day war. While these historical events may be taken for granted by many Jewish people, I have developed an appreciation of Israel and all she had been through to arrive at that time in history. But what really impressed me was the determination and drive that must have lead to the success of the Six Day War. Israel took on multiple nations and in the end their death toll was less than 2% of the total death toll. The strength and will of the Jewish people was something that could not be denied.
Its interesting to reflect on the comments made in this publication from 1968. "Today, as Israel looks to the future it still faces enormous problems. Foremost is the need to develop a functioning economy no longer deeply dependent on foreign aid and the gifts of world Jewry....'Our political and economic problems would seem vastly different, ' says Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, 'if we were 4 million Jews in Israel instead of 2.5 million.'" I don't know enough about present day Israel to comment on this but I think it would be a fascinating starting point to learn about and discuss Israel from 1968 to present.
Land is important of course, but obviously peace has been a more important goal. The comments made regarding the Six Day War were that Israel had won the war but had not won peace. The talks at the time declared that the lands concurred in 1967 would not be released without peace. In 1968, Prime Minister Eshkol was quoted as saying, "Ah my friends, if we have peace, there is so much we can do. There is land, there is water. We will settle the refugee problem. We have come back to stay. This is our Middle East as much as theirs. Israel wants peace and needs peace: I am convinced the Arabs do too. We have seem what can be done in Israel with the necessary will. If there is peace, the whole Middle East will flourish." Once again, what a great starting point for a discussion in the present day.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)