AboutRabbi Ari Shishler Expertise I'm happy to answer questions on Jewish belief, Jewish spirituality & Kabbalah.
Experience Rabbi, lecturer on Talmud and Jewish spirituality at Chabad House, Johannesburg, South Africa 1997-present.
Talmud teacher at local Jewish high school 1996- present.
Organizations Chabad Lubavitch.
Publications Jewish Tradition, South Africa.
Jewish Report, weekly newspaper, South Africa
SAUJS annual Holiday guide.
Education/Credentials Six years of tertiary education at Rabbinical seminaries in South Africa, Israel and New York.
Question I have an assignment in witch I have to interview someone on a religion.
To start off please tell me some information about yourself regarding religion. Like if your religion has just been a recent thing in the family or if it goes back several generations. If you are actively involved in it, and describe the beliefs and practices of your religion as YOU understand them.
1. Is there a divine being/beings? What is this being(s) like?
2. Is there an historical founder? Who? What do they know about the fonder?
3. How does this religion believe that the world came to be?
4. What is the religions attitude toward sexuality?
5. Does this religion have a generally positive or negative attitude toward the world? Is the world primarily a place of goodness/blessing or of evil/suffering?
6. According to this religion, what happens when we die?
7. Are there sacred writings, and if so, what are they? What role do they play in this tradition?
8. In summary, how is the believer expected to act? What are the most important values or ethics?
9. Is there regular worship or ritual and if so, what is it like?
10. What aspects of this religion are most appealing to you?
11. What do you consider the outstanding characteristics of this religion?
12. What are your problems, if any, with this religion?
13. What are your concerns, if any, with how outsiders view their religion?
I know this seems like I'm asking a lot but It will be very helpful to me. I am also presenting it to the class.
Answer Hi Jim
Background: My family was not originally observant, but became observant when I was too young to know the difference.
I have been a practicing rabbi since 1996, having studied in rabbinical seminaries in South Africa, Israel and the U.S.A.
1. There is one Divine being who is absolutely Infinite. We refer to Him in the masculine, to represent the relationship between us (we are the feminine), but He has no gender.
He is the Cause of all things, who not only created the spiritual and physical universe but directs them constantly.
He is compassionate and invites us to partner with Him in making the world a better place. He loves His creations and wants only the best for them.
2. The historical founder of Judaism is Abraham. He stood against all pagan belief in his time and taught people about the Infinite G-d.
The details of his life are recorded in Genesis and in Talmudic literature.
3. We believe that G-d created the spiritual and physical universes in 6 days. He "spoke" the world into existence, unlike a human who must "make" things.
4. Judaism understands that union of male and female through marriage is very special, and their sexual relationship is holy.
Other forms of sexuality (esp. adultery, incest and homosexuality) are damaging to the soul.
5. Judaism has a very positive attitude to the world. We believe G-d created the world with tremendous potential. Although dark forces do rear their head all the time, the world is inherently good.
Our job as humans is to reveal that inherent goodness.
6. After death, souls enter a spiritual dimension. If one has lived a spiritually-aware life, that new dimension is a very pleasant experience i.e. heaven.
If not, the initial exposure to that spiritual dimension is very uncomfortable i.e. purgatory.
Eventually, all souls (except for the great villains of history) get into heaven.
Judaism does believe in reincarnation.
7. The sacred writings are called the Tanach- the Five books of Moses and the Prophets and Scriptures (what people call the Old Testament).
Jewish law and history is crystallized in those books.
There are numerous rabbinic works as well, especially the Talmud, which codifies Jewish law and practice, and the books of Kabbalah that explain Jewish mysticism.
8. A Jew is expected to believe in one infinite G-d and serve Him.
The Ten Commandments are the backbone of Jewish service. In all, there are 613 laws.
A Jew is expected to be kind, morally upstanding, modest and honest.
9. Jews pray formally three times a day (and informally whenever they choose). There is a morning, afternoon and evening prayer.
On the Sabbath and special Jewish festivals, the service is more involved and longer.
Formal worship ideally takes place in a synagogue and requires ten adult males.
10. The way Judaism blends spirituality and practicality is amazing.
11. The fact that it has remained essentially the same for 3300 years. A Jew from the time of Moses and from the 21st Century would share the same values, traditions, holy books, language, culture and homeland.
Judaism's absolute optimism.
Every person has a direct line to G-d.
Jews don't expect everyone to be Jewish; you can be ok with G-d without being Jewish.
12. My only problem is that many Jews don't appreciate what they have and are non-observant as a result.
13. There are many misconceptions about Jews and Judaism. Throughout history, these have often bred anti-Semitism, which is a serious concern.
Unfortunately, we're seeing a resurgence of anti-Semitism in many places in the world today.
Good luck with your presentation, let me know if you need more details.
