Every Sunday during the school year, I work with the kindergarteners and first graders at my synagogue, helping to teach them many of the core values that define Judaism. A few months ago, a girl in the class picked up a block from the carpet and reached it up towards me. Her eyes locked with mine as she asked, “Did God make this?” I looked at her blankly, unable to find the words to answer this seemingly simple question.
I have never liked answering questions that pertain to spirituality, because I have always seen Judaism as a religion that encourages individualism. This is one of the reasons I feel I can identify with the Jewish faith. To be Jewish is not to behave in a certain way or believe in a specific god, but rather to decide for yourself what religion is and what the notion of God means. I felt that if I answered this girl’s question with a simple “yes” or “no”, I would be robbing her of the opportunity to understand this aspect of our religion. I believe that she alone has the ability to determine how the Jewish faith will influence her life and to what extent she will observe its customs.
In contrast, Judaism also teaches the value of communalism. Sharing my opinion with her would encourage her to continue to look to her Jewish community for answers. Judaism connects people of all different backgrounds in a worldwide community that welcomes all who choose to observe its customs. Because of this, there are countless ways excerpts from the Torah and important teachings are meant to be interpreted. Judaism encourages people to not only look within themselves to find the answers they seek, but also to look to their community to gain new perspectives.
After a bit of thinking, I answered this little girl’s question with a truthful “I don’t know.” Although I am unsure how to identify my specific beliefs, being a Jew is a major aspect of my identity. As I mature as a Jewish adult I will continue to ponder my own spirituality as well as look to others for answers to questions I just cannot understand. To me, being a true Jewish person is to understand the value of personal reflection as well as the importance of community.
Shabbat Shalom
Rachel Cohen
