I agree with gitty”s sentiments on not discussing religion during this coffee break. I just like to make a few points and recommendations. (Disclaimer- this is textual based so please hold of on your cynicsm until Im through) In the beginning of creation, god was there. He came to adam and adam knew there was a god. Fast forward a couple generations noah knew there was a god. Remember he came to him, or didnt he? Shem and Ever, two grat scholars mentioned in the generations between noah and avraham alo knew there was a god. So waht was Avraham credited for? What was his new revelation? If it was know so long before him, how was he original? To answer this glaring question, I qoute a rashi. Rashi tells of how avraham looked into the world and saw there was a god. SEEING is a strong concept. Every jewish nursery student knows how avraham looked up at the sun and stars and and oceans and trees and all the other butiful hugongous things in the whole wide world and saw there was a god (nursery spelling added for
emphasis). What do we see from this whole story? What is the deeper meaning of this fable? Rashi tells us that Avraham saw in the raw physical world- GOD. He saw god. He didnt just believe, he saw. Judaism isnt accredited to admam and eve, but rather avraham. Why? Because he came up with the novel idea of actually seeing not only believing. This rashi teaches us many lessons. But I will choose to focus on two. 1) Judaism is based on a dual personality: tradition/belief/mesora AND, I stress, and reality/seeing/understanding. Avraham saw, lets take his lead and try to see for ourselves. 2) Although we may not understand, we dont have to be afraid of brainwashing because rashi tells us that judaism is about your own SEEING. If you are ever giving an interiew you know I dont need an answer to all my questions as long as I see that the applicant isnt avoiding to give you answer that means there is an answer. So too here if you dont understandd the answer, know that there is an answer cuz rashi is telling us
is one. For all the cynics in this coffee room: I challenge you to look into the world like your forefather before you, to SEE the truth not just to believe. If you are having a hard time coming up with your own ideas you are in trouble because you dont trust anyone else. For everyone else: I refer you back to the nursery story before or on a more serious note Rabbi Avigdor Miller has an unbelievable series, including “awake my glory” and “Rejoice oh youth”. He describes vividly how to come to your own realizations. Beware: He may try to brainwash you so be really critical or you will fall into his trap. But only do this on the condition that you are open to his real concepts. To conclude, we are left with a glaring question. If judaism is seeing based why is there this concept of believing? Of the emperor’s clothes? You are the answer. There are those that assume that they unlike the “fools” before them know better. Many great jews fell in the line of duty aside for those that prospered as jews for a stupi
cause, one based on lies? This lie was so good, in fact, many genious minds failed to see the truth? For those geniuses in our midst, or can I say better optometrists, can you sell me those glasses? No!!!!!!! That is a resounding no!. I dont want your glasses because my BELIEF tells me that there answers. My BELIEF tells me that there is more than I can see. My BELIEF screams delve, explore, and see what hashem wants from us, for us and for all of mankind. It doesnt tell me to ignore it, or shun it. The torah tells us to see in the physical world, THE god. Know that we established there is a god go figure on your own which one to believe in. Thats a whole different argument but I can recommend an awesome read. Ever heard of Uri Zohar? He integrates humor cynicsm and everything else in your perspective. Suggestion for all. Even if you live and grew up frum, its awesome!!! Disclaimer, once again: He may try to brainwash you, but dont worry you now know that you can question, but keep in mind that there are
answers!! Hatzlacha to all, till next time. For all those that feel they need to daven for my mind to straighten out: I’ll include my hebrew name upon request….