Many people who abandon Judaism, or just don't connect with it, claim that they did not find it to be very spiritual. This lecture seeks to understand what is meant when we speak about spirituality and how Judaism provides avenues to satisfying this profound personal need. This includes a focus on developing a personal relationship with God and fostering a practice of spiritual growth and character refinement.
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A Reflection on Jewish Spirituality
Some folks will try tell you that Judaism is "legalistic"-- nothing more than a bunch of rules: You have to keep the Sabbath, have to keep kosher, have to keep a whole slew of commandments that give little sense of spiritual connection or experience. If only these folks really knew, really understood... In this interesting post by Shoshana Zakar, we will explore a reflection on Jewish spirituality. Is Judaism spiritual? Let's find out. Spirituality in Judaism goes way beyond a warm fuzzy feelin
Zalman Kravitz
I Turned Down A Ticket To Heaven
I Turned Down A Ticket To Heaven While attending college, a fellow student offered me a ticket to heaven. All I had to do was “believe in Jesus,” and if not, I would go to hell. I turned down his offer and explained that Judaism requires that we believe in God and follow the commandments. King Solomon affirms this principle when he says the bottom line of Judaism is to “Be in awe of God and keep His commandments for that is the whole person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Despite Solomon’s powerful wo
Zalman Kravitz
What Skeptics and Believers Can Learn From Noah
What Skeptics and Believers Can Learn From Noah Most people are familiar with the Torah’s story of Noah and the Ark. Whether skeptic or believer, it is interesting to know that many cultures have flood stories. One account inscribed in Sumerian on clay tablets dates to the late third millennium — B.C.E. Dozens of movies portray the story of Noah’s Ark, and some explorers claim they have discovered the ark’s remains in present-day Turkey. There is even a $100 million Christian theme park in K
Zalman Kravitz
God Is ONE — Not Two or Three
God Is ONE — Not Two or Three During the long years of exile, the Jewish people lost the Land of Israel, the Temple, the priesthood, the Davidic kingship, and sacrifices. We survived despite these temporary losses because we never abandoned the Torah with its moral, legal, and spiritual teachings. The word Torah means more than just “the law” or “Bible.” The root of the word Torah is “horah,” which means “instruction.” As it says, “to instruct [להורת–l’horot] the children of Israel”(Leviticus
Zalman Kravitz
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The War of Armageddon Is Not The Apocalypse
Sukkot and Simchat Torah The War of Armageddon Is Not The Apocalypse The Jewish High Holidays, known as the Days of Awe, constitute a spiritual progression. On Rosh Hashanah, we coronate God as our King, on Yom Kippur, we receive God’s forgiveness; and on Sukkot [the Festival of Booths], we rise to another level. Sukkot is a time to demonstrate our trust in God by moving from the safety of our homes to the temporary and less-secure dwelling known as the sukkah. In this tiny hut with its ro
Zalman Kravitz