I Voices

in Jewish Education

Making Study Relevant

Today's education must deal with today's issues.

Q: What will it take to make Jewish
learning exciting, meaningful and
ongoing for all ages?

RABBI TZVI HOCHSTADT
Special to the Jewish News

18

verybody loves somebody.
Everybody is looking for
that one incredible love
that will last forever.
But then ask people if they have a
definition for love. Some will say its
"a good feeling that another person
gives you." Others say it's "when the
other person's needs are more impor-
tant to you than your own — that's
love." I have taught countless semi-
nars and askea this question, but
have never gotten an answer that
seems to apply for all types of love.
Jewish wisdom suggests that having
a definition would make loving and
being loved by others so much more effective.
Jewish wisdom is the search for effective ways of living. Torah is called
in prayer, Torat Chaim (teachings for living). To motivate regular Jewish
growth and involvement, the rewards need to be rational, relevant and
beneficial. People have to want to benefit from Jewish learning. Regular
exercise, low-fat foods, Internet business strategies and chat-room socializ-
ing have become part of our daily routine because they matter to us and
benefit our lives. We need to put out a universal emphasis on a Judaism
that people will feel: 1) makes sense intellectually; 2) deals with life's issues
and questions; and 3) provides tangible benefits to them, their family,
their society and their path to self-knowledge.
Jews everywhere, whether they are clergy, educators or lay people, must
deal on a direct level with answering questions and providing definitions
that "make sense." Can we harmonize the biblical account of creation
with modern physics? What kind of evidence is there that Gocldid speak
to man and dictate the Torah? Why do we need kosher? Is there an effec-
tive definition of "love?" (I'm building up to it.) All answers given about
Judaism and our beliefs will end with our deciding, "Does this make
sense to me?" Without acceptance, continuing education diminishes our
value of Judaism as opposed to enhancing it.
People feel, for the most part, that outside of life-cycle events, Judaism
has little to do with their everyday life, daily functions and relationships.
The theme "What could a bunch of old books and fables have to do with
me today?" underlies that scream of "Irrelevance!" addressed to so many
Jews.

Well, good news. Judaism
couldn't be more to the contrary; it
is the definition of relevance. Listen
carefully and notice how every
piece of Jewish wisdom applies to
topics of everyday living, like love,
marriage, friendship, parenting,
society versus the individual, hon-
esty; history's purpose, self-discov-
ery, the nature of the soul and
what happens when we die.

Judaism Today

The Jewish people have survived
3,300 years. With our hands tied
behind our backs in the form of
oppression, we have still managed
to introduce the world to values of
family, charity, world peace, per-
, sonal spirituality and social respon-
sibility. You — and every one
around you — benefits from
Jewish ideas and the Jewish way of life.
"Love your neighbor as yourself" is a commandment, not a
request. But to love effectively we need to have a method. The
Rambam (the rabbi also known as Maimonides) wrote this definition
of loving God: "To understand and focus on the virtues of another
being, and to associate those virtues with that being."
Does everyone have some virtue? Does everyone have some flaw?
Can we focus on virtues if we don't know the flaws? Can we choose
our focus in spite of stress, strain and miscommunication? Can we
overcome cultural differences? Can we work with people who have
different goals than we do?
Apply this principle. List 10 people you have regular interaction
with — family, friends and business associates. List three traits that
you admire in each person, even if you don't get along with him or
her. Think of each person's positive traits; better yet, let the people
know the traits you associate them with.
This small piece of rational, relevant and beneficial Judaism is pro-
vided for your benefit. Does this make sense? Could this help you and
your relationships? Would your life be better for it?
Start once a week and build up to several minutes every day invest-
ing in Jewish learning. This sample of learning practical wisdom is
what has made us richer and sustained us for 3,300 years. ❑

Rabbi Tzvi Hochstadt is director of programming and education with
the Birmingham Aish Center.