Why I love being Jewish, even with all the rules
Judaism is one of the only religions that does not proselytise. If you want to convert to Judaism, you will be discouraged from doing so at least three times, in order to make sure that you are really sure that you want this life. Being Jewish, with all its laws and rules and, unfortunately, growing antisemitism is not always easy. So, as a religion, we want to make sure that converts have really thought about everything carefully.
Yet, despite living a life with many rules, I love being Jewish. Judaism is an ancient religion, it's been around for 3500 years. Within Jewish culture is a deep love of learning. When you're Jewish, from the age of three you learn the aleph-bet, the Hebrew alphabet, in addition to the language of the country you live in. With Hebrew literacy, you can delve into the texts of our tradition, some of them thousands of years old.
There is an expression in Jewish tradition: there are 70 faces to the Torah. It means that each word in the Torah has a minimum of 70 meanings. When we study our Jewish texts, we add our own interpretations.
Judaism encourages critical thinking. In Judaism, we are encouraged to question, to argue with a study partner and discuss why certain words were included in the Torah and others were not. As a people, we do not accept anything without first interrogating it, interpreting it and finally adding our own meaning.
In addition to encouraging critical thinking, Judaism has deep empathy for those experiencing misfortune. We are commanded to take care of the orphan, the widow and the stranger. We are commanded to give 10 per cent of our earnings to charity, so that those experiencing poverty and disadvantage have support.
In Judaism, we do not believe anything is random, we believe in divine providence. If you find yourself in an unexpected place or situation, it's your job to do a good deed and elevate the experience. There is a famous children's song that says, 'For 70 or 80 years, a Neshama [soul] wears and tears, just to do a favour for another.'
Personally, I find that the best part of Judaism is time spent with my family. We have Sabbath each week, when we come together and share three meals, including the hallowed Friday night dinner depicted in so many films and movies. We have festivals where we celebrate with everyone, including our friends and neighbours. We have festivals that are centred around milestones like bar mitzvahs and weddings. We come together in grief for shiva, the seven-day mourning period after someone dies.
For me, Judaism means seeing the beauty in everyday life. It means spending time using your abilities, money and skills to help the sick and poor. It means remembering what's important: time with family and doing acts of goodness and kindness to improve the world. For all these reasons, I love being Jewish.
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The Age
6 days ago
- The Age
Why I love being Jewish, even with all the rules
Judaism is one of the only religions that does not proselytise. If you want to convert to Judaism, you will be discouraged from doing so at least three times, in order to make sure that you are really sure that you want this life. Being Jewish, with all its laws and rules and, unfortunately, growing antisemitism is not always easy. So, as a religion, we want to make sure that converts have really thought about everything carefully. Yet, despite living a life with many rules, I love being Jewish. Judaism is an ancient religion, it's been around for 3500 years. Within Jewish culture is a deep love of learning. When you're Jewish, from the age of three you learn the aleph-bet, the Hebrew alphabet, in addition to the language of the country you live in. With Hebrew literacy, you can delve into the texts of our tradition, some of them thousands of years old. There is an expression in Jewish tradition: there are 70 faces to the Torah. It means that each word in the Torah has a minimum of 70 meanings. When we study our Jewish texts, we add our own interpretations. Judaism encourages critical thinking. In Judaism, we are encouraged to question, to argue with a study partner and discuss why certain words were included in the Torah and others were not. As a people, we do not accept anything without first interrogating it, interpreting it and finally adding our own meaning. In addition to encouraging critical thinking, Judaism has deep empathy for those experiencing misfortune. We are commanded to take care of the orphan, the widow and the stranger. We are commanded to give 10 per cent of our earnings to charity, so that those experiencing poverty and disadvantage have support. In Judaism, we do not believe anything is random, we believe in divine providence. If you find yourself in an unexpected place or situation, it's your job to do a good deed and elevate the experience. There is a famous children's song that says, 'For 70 or 80 years, a Neshama [soul] wears and tears, just to do a favour for another.' Personally, I find that the best part of Judaism is time spent with my family. We have Sabbath each week, when we come together and share three meals, including the hallowed Friday night dinner depicted in so many films and movies. We have festivals where we celebrate with everyone, including our friends and neighbours. We have festivals that are centred around milestones like bar mitzvahs and weddings. We come together in grief for shiva, the seven-day mourning period after someone dies. For me, Judaism means seeing the beauty in everyday life. It means spending time using your abilities, money and skills to help the sick and poor. It means remembering what's important: time with family and doing acts of goodness and kindness to improve the world. For all these reasons, I love being Jewish.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why I love being Jewish, even with all the rules
Judaism is one of the only religions that does not proselytise. If you want to convert to Judaism, you will be discouraged from doing so at least three times, in order to make sure that you are really sure that you want this life. Being Jewish, with all its laws and rules and, unfortunately, growing antisemitism is not always easy. So, as a religion, we want to make sure that converts have really thought about everything carefully. Yet, despite living a life with many rules, I love being Jewish. Judaism is an ancient religion, it's been around for 3500 years. Within Jewish culture is a deep love of learning. When you're Jewish, from the age of three you learn the aleph-bet, the Hebrew alphabet, in addition to the language of the country you live in. With Hebrew literacy, you can delve into the texts of our tradition, some of them thousands of years old. There is an expression in Jewish tradition: there are 70 faces to the Torah. It means that each word in the Torah has a minimum of 70 meanings. When we study our Jewish texts, we add our own interpretations. Judaism encourages critical thinking. In Judaism, we are encouraged to question, to argue with a study partner and discuss why certain words were included in the Torah and others were not. As a people, we do not accept anything without first interrogating it, interpreting it and finally adding our own meaning. In addition to encouraging critical thinking, Judaism has deep empathy for those experiencing misfortune. We are commanded to take care of the orphan, the widow and the stranger. We are commanded to give 10 per cent of our earnings to charity, so that those experiencing poverty and disadvantage have support. In Judaism, we do not believe anything is random, we believe in divine providence. If you find yourself in an unexpected place or situation, it's your job to do a good deed and elevate the experience. There is a famous children's song that says, 'For 70 or 80 years, a Neshama [soul] wears and tears, just to do a favour for another.' Personally, I find that the best part of Judaism is time spent with my family. We have Sabbath each week, when we come together and share three meals, including the hallowed Friday night dinner depicted in so many films and movies. We have festivals where we celebrate with everyone, including our friends and neighbours. We have festivals that are centred around milestones like bar mitzvahs and weddings. We come together in grief for shiva, the seven-day mourning period after someone dies. For me, Judaism means seeing the beauty in everyday life. It means spending time using your abilities, money and skills to help the sick and poor. It means remembering what's important: time with family and doing acts of goodness and kindness to improve the world. For all these reasons, I love being Jewish.
ABC News
07-06-2025
- ABC News
Tonga is one of the world's most devout keepers of the Sabbath — but some say there's more to faith
As Sunday dawns in Tonga's capital, an unbroken silence blankets the streets. Almost every shop in Nuku'alofa — including petrol stations — stays closed. Only church bells eventually disturb the quiet, as it comes time to worship. "Everyone is at home preparing and getting ready for church. "[It's] a blessing we all have." Sunday trading is common in many countries where Christianity is the predominant religion. But Tongans remain some of the world's most devoted keepers of the Sabbath, a day of rest that falls on Sunday for most Christian denominations. It's even enshrined in the Tongan constitution, which says the day must be kept holy. "No person shall practise his trade or profession or conduct any commercial undertaking on the Sabbath Day except according to law," it says. But the country's so-called "Sunday Law" is back in public debate in the devoutly Christian nation. It started with a statement from Tonga's King Tupou VI, read to its parliament last month, calling on the nation to keep the Sabbath holy. Now, some in Tonga are asking whether the nation is strict enough in observing the Sabbath. But while some questioned whether Tonga should remove the few exemptions it allows — including those for restaurants that open for tourists — others said there are more meaningful ways to practise their faith. By mid-morning on Sunday, Tonga's islands finally stir. The roads are lined with people walking to church, wearing their "Sunday best", in the truest sense of the phrase. 'Aiona, Mormon missionary elder, is one of them, and speaking to the ABC, he urged Tongans to hold fast to the Sabbath tradition. "It is so important we keep the Lord's day fully." Only staff at hospitals, the police force and utilities can work on Sunday under Tongan law. There are also exemptions for hotels and restaurants serving tourists — although Tongans also often eat out after church on Sundays. But Tonga Police has received complaints about other businesses operating illegally on Sunday, and issued a firm public statement this month. "Let's respect and live by our culture, our faith and the law by keeping Sunday holy." A debate has also unfolded on social media, where some Tongans have questioned the ban on Sunday trading. "Holiness is not a ritual confined to a day, but a way of life," one commenter said. "Until righteousness governs our actions and honesty guides our institutions, our outward displays of devotion ring hollow and empty!" Another said restaurants not attached to tourism accommodation should close on Sunday. Tourism operators argue that without their exemptions, the industry would suffer. "The purpose of the resort is to cater for the people," Oholei Beach Resort owner Simana Kami said. "Otherwise, there will be no more tourists [coming] to Tonga." Mr Kami faced opposition when his resort started operating on Sunday. As Cyclone Rene hit Tonga in 2010, a church minister told him it would wipe out his business as punishment. But it didn't, and Mr Kami said operating on Sunday doesn't conflict with his faith — rather, it supports it. Mr Kami said practising faith isn't about stopping activity on Sunday, and that many who observe the Sabbath ignore Christian teachings throughout the week. "That's sad for me … People are hypocrites." In churches throughout Tonga, the voices of the congregations swell as services get under way. Afterwards, families have the day to themselves. On her way back from a service, Talita Kefu agreed that intent matters more than appearance when it comes to faith. "Development with time is progressing, but Tonga is unique in the sense that we still observe the Sabbath. "It comes down to individual choices." Speaking in Nuku'alofa, Lano Fonua said he also sees the Sabbath as special — but believes each person can honour it in their own way. He said it was possible to preserve the spirit of the Sabbath while adapting it to modern life. "It makes Tonga special on Sunday … As long as it's respectful and done in the right way," Mr Fonua said. "Taking your family out after church to go for Chinese food, what's wrong with that if it's being done from the right place?" Mr Fonua and his family were going to spend much of their Sunday having a family picnic at the beach. "That's what makes it special for us." It's not the first time Tonga's strict observance of the Sabbath has generated so much discussion. A government decision to ban bakers from opening on Sunday in 2016 raised outcry. In that case, bakeries unsuccessfully pushed to keep their exemption, which started in 1982 when a cyclone hit and the population needed food. For now, it's unclear whether the new groundswell of debate about Tonga's Sunday Law will reach the floor of parliament. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Lord Fakafanua said the constitution was clear about the Sabbath. He said no reforms to Tonga's Sunday Law had yet been submitted to parliament — which will dissolve soon for elections due in November. "If they want to make any decision, legislative reforms, [MPs] may submit private bills … but that's something that I haven't heard about. "We will see in the next term."
