Our Relationship With God:Core of Jewish Beliefs

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

Maimonides begins his thirteen principles of faith with the declaration: “I believe with perfect faith………….” He then proceeds to detail this faith so that his life and those whom he influences will have a better grasp on what it means to be faithful. And these principles are filled with traditional expressions that have come down to us through the generations.

Since Talmudic times each generation has tried to interpret the meaning of life, the relationship with God as described in Scripture, so that it has relevance for their time and place. Humanities desire to communicate with God; to understand God’s commandments; to be one with God so to have a better insight into what Godliness is all about, that is the eternal quest.

There were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essene’s, the Zealots and so on, all determined to convince their followers as well as others that their path was the right one; the only one to true allegiance to God. Our generation is no exception. We have Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Humanistic and more. The fact that we are called Israel is no accident of fate. This name was given to us to remind us of the struggle involved in trying to comprehend the very notion of God. The only thing that makes us different from the past is the present.

Abraham challenges God when He determines to destroy Sodom and Gomorra. Moses argues with God to forgive and forget the transgressions of a people delivered from the yoke of the oppressor only to be saddled with the yoke of a slave mentality. The Hebrew Bible is filled with such discourse with God because we understand only to well that complete obedience inhibits freedom of choice.

Yes, we believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every person can have an individual and personal relationship. A God we sometimes doubt. A God we sometimes blame for all that is evil in the world. A God we question as to His very existence when we see pain and affliction. A God who is also compassionate and forgiving. And even as we believe we also have doubts, but those doubts should not deter us from searching for an answer to reinforce our belief or enhance our desire to make sense of it all.

We believe that God continues to work in the world, affecting everything that people do. This does not mean that everything is controlled by God, rather that everything was created for us and we have to find the resources created by God to make our existence more meaningful so that we will be able to continue the partnership of creation. Freedom of choice is the one major ingredient in this partnership.

It is a partnership and we know this because we, in effect, are continually changing. We are always searching for answers to the meaning of life. We create, not only, lives as we procreate, but also situations that reinforce our concept of survival. Being created in the image of God is our gateway to taking hold of our existence that gives us the capacity to enable that relationship to flourish. Partners compliment each other, not duplicate each other. Nor are partners’ mirrors of each other.

The Jewish relationship with God is also a “covenant” relationship. In exchange for the many opportunities that God has afforded to us, we need to be thankful and inventive at the same time. We should try to bring holiness and respect for law into every aspect of our lives because that is a connection allowing us to be true partners.

Judaism is also a faith of community for we believe that “chosen” refers to a mission, not that we are better than anyone else, but “chosen” to set an example, to inform all of humanity about the existence of God. That is true community. I disagree with those who would remain aloof and not share their religious fervor. Of what value is it to believe and keep that belief confined to a certain place or a certain society? Zealousness is not a synonym for exclusiveness. Even Hillel directed us to not separate ourselves from the community because the future of faith is dependent upon total exposure.

Even our prayers indicate the truth of this. Our prayers, for the most part, are written in the plural because we know that humanity cannot survive without human connection. Search through the prayer books and you will find that the ultimate extension of our prayer experience is the request for collective welfare.

We are also concerned with family and our rituals and ceremonies are focused upon family participation. Holidays such as Passover, Hanukkah, Sukkot are all designed to express religious understanding through family involvement. These particular holidays are concentrated in the home because faith begins with family group association. Our first introduction to God centers on the blessings we recite when we retire, when we awake, when we celebrate Shabbat. These expressions are reinforced when we attend religious school or the synagogue.

Finally, Judaism believes that all people are eligible to receive salvation-God’s blessings. That is why we respect other beliefs. That is why we don’t seek the conversion of the world. That is why we celebrate goodness from whatever source. We are motivated by the dictate of the Prophet Mica: “To do justly (fairness to one another), love mercy (kindness) and walk humbly with God (acknowledging the oneness of God and our attempt to be one with the Creator regardless of religious observance).”

Regardless of the path one chooses, Jew or non-Jew, the destination is the prime importance. And as Jeremiah proclaimed, as prescribed by God: “I know the place I have for you says God – a future and a hope.”