It's been a long time since I've written anything here. The reason why closely follows what has gone on in my Jewish life in general. Or I should say it closely follows what has gone on in my life in general. Basically, life got in the way of my Judaism and in the way of my writing of this column.
Each time I guiltily thought about the fact that I hadn't posted an article in ages, I considered what I might write. This caused me also to re-evaluate what this column was supposed to be about, or what I wanted to write about when I began as the Jewish Issues Examiner--and what I wanted to write about now. I did not want to regurgitate the Jewish news for my readers. You can find Jewish news elsewhere. I didn't want to comment on Jewish news or politics. I'm not really that politically inclined or that informed when it comes to events in the news. Why? My focus, my interest, my expertise lies in other types of Jewish issues: spirituality, practice, family life, parenting, relationships, human potential, personal growth, rituals, prayers, etc.
And I began to think about the issue I had been facing--a common one. So, today, as I return to writing this column, I will tackle that one: life getting in the way of Judaism.
More often than not we Jews, at least those of us who are not as my son call them "Good Jews"--not very religious (Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, or in some way observant on a regular basis), allow the call of secular life to stop us from observing Jewish life. When we have to work late on Friday, we don't go to services or light Shabbat candles. When our children's activities take over our lives, we give up on Shabbat totally. Sometimes we even let work and secular commitments get in the way of the High Holy Days or other Jewish holidays. We get too harried to touch the mezuzah as we enter the house. We are too tired to say the Sh'ma at night...
Secular life becomes more important than Jewish life.
For me, in the last year or two, my children's crazy schedules took over my life--and my Jewish life. And then work began to seep in as well. Why not let it? I'd already given up on everything except Shabbat dinner when I could manage to get everyone to the table. Services on Friday or Saturday? Blech. Not happening.
And then the column went by the wayside, too, as did the frequency of my spiritual/Jewish blog posts at As the Spirit Moves Me.
So, what must we do to reclaim our Jewish lives? We must decide they are more important...or just as important...than our secular lives. We must begin to do little things...and then big things...to add Judaism back in. Touch the mezuzah. Say the Sh'ma. Light the Shabbas candles. Go to services on Friday once a month...then twice...then every week. Then go on Saturday as well...Get up early to say morning prayers even.
Become a good Jew once again (or for the first time).
The new Jewish year is almost here. Make this your kavanah (intention) for this coming year.
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