The High Holy Days just concluded and for me there was a
sort of epiphany that maybe there was a god. What form did that god take was that
god actually G-d? If you recall from a previous post, I said that religion was
wonderful because it brought families and communities together. In fact, one of
the rabbis that I heard actually said that. It was no revelation but she had
agreed with my thinking and that is always nice to know. We all prayed to the
Lord (Conservative) and to the Eternal One (Reform) but it is the same G-d.
But before I get into if there is a G-d. I need to address
the gender of G-d and why I find that trying to suppress the idea G-d is a male
in stupid. Even one of the rabbis at the Reform synagogue tripped over the problem
by using the word “Lord.” What is the G-d we pray to is he a man like creature or a
woman like creature? Are we insulting women because the historical G-d has
always been a male? And now that some say G-d is a woman, doe that insult the
male of the species? Doe this confusion create a disconnect? It had for me and I am
sure others as well. Should we neuter our parents as we refer to them? What
should we call father? Or mother? How about the “One in Charge?” No more holidays such as Mother's Day. Just one day for the Ones In Charge Day. Would be
the same as the “Eternal One?” That is nuts!
There is a prayer that is recited during the High Holy Day
season. It is so beautiful that it has been recorded by many popular singers
such as Streisand and it was used in the
movie “School Ties.” What does that mean? It means our Father Our King. Two
very male images. "Avinu Malkeinu" ["Our Father, Our
King"]. The Reform recites the prayer and uses the Hebrew term for
the English version. No matter what, they are saying "Our Father, Our King." Is
that not hypocrisy? Even if they say the prayer in French and say "Avinu
Malkeinu" in front of the verse, are they not still saying "Our
Father, Our King?"
What about the 23rd
Psalm. This is recited in every religious congregation regardless of their
affiliation. “The Lord is my Shepherd .
. . “That in itself sets the Reform Jew
apart from other Jews and Christians who pray to the One G-d.” Religion should
be inclusive, how is that inclusive?’ That makes the Reform version G-d
somewhat different. I cannot accept a neutered G-d. I do that to my dog not my
G-d.
Now that I got that off of
my chest, what about acceptance of a personal G-d? G-d, as I see it is a concept
that directs each of us in a special direction. It is a force for good ideas and
good actions. G-d is an emotional force that we all accept in different ways
even when we challenge the idea of their being a G-d. That directs us to
think of the world in a different way. Is evil that absence of G-d?
As I read the liturgy, I see so many contradictions that is
forced me to think about G-d. The Torah says that His ways are the Paths of
Peace, yet the Torah talks of killing – that is not Peace. No matter how the
Torah suggests the punishments, the Torah, the words of G-d, does outline 613
commandments that if followed to the letter, all of our ways are paths of
Peace. So, maybe the intense words of the punishments are there to punctuate
the suggestions as they are outlined in the Torah.
My re-acceptance of G-d has made me feel good. I am not a “born
again” Jew. I don’t know what that means, to be born again. But I do know what
it means to use your mind and intellect to find a way to accept the wonder of
the universe and the beauty of faith. Not necessarily blind faith, because blind
faith does not allow for our brain and our consciousness to deal with issues of
everyday life. We must question. That is what I have tried to do with these
posts. Even Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof
posed questions to G-d. The theme of
Fiddler is Tradition. Going back to
my earlier argument, for 5774 years G-d has been a father figure. Authoritative, strong, wise and a part of us
all. Who are we to say that He is not G-d?
That is my take – you decide.
