My Beliefs on Shabbat Obligations

My Beliefs

Belief is actually quite a strong word for me, I don't have many spiritual or religious beliefs at this time. However, as we move through the historical holiday review and meanings behind rituals, I am surprisingly relating to a lot of it. It's weird that this is such a revelation for me.

I always seemed to think people of a certain faith had the exact same beliefs, meaning they were all idiots together. That is sounding ignorant now that I repeat it to myself, but it's the truth! It's one of the reasons I did not want to associate with anything. I didn't want to be grouped together with a bunch of religious wackos, I want to be me and make my own decisions. I never practiced any faith so I have no frame of reference. Although my boyfriend is not what he calls "religious"; he says he keeps tradition and I can see how engrained his Jewish identity is.

Holiday Review

Today we reviewed the holidays and discussed Shabbat in more detail. I'm feeling like I'm in a much deeper exploration phase now, and now the feelings of uncertainty about my beliefs are awakening again. I'm also thinking about how I'll assimilate into the religion.

I can easily relate to Rosh Hashanah as the New Year, as everyone else can because Americans are used to making New Year's resolutions. I realize it is definitely met with more seriousness about the quality of your life rather than making a resolution to quit smoking and giving up after a week. Resolutions aren't successful, but an obligation is. A resolution is defined as firm determination, or a course of action determined. An obligation is defined as a binding promise or sense of duty.

What's the difference here? The difference is between a want and a need. People try to commit to changes all the time, but the fail when they don't feel a psychological obligation to the commitment. Resolutions are not what define you, but obligations do; maybe that's why people are more prone to follow through with changes/choices in their lives when they are committed to their religious obligations.

Shabbat Obligations

Now this brings me to the real topic of Shabbat. I grew up thinking Sunday was the day of rest (who's to say it's not though). However, I have learned that the 7th day is actually Saturday...but again says who? It's one of those WTF Jewish questions. I can also relate to the reason for this holiday. Although I had no religious affiliation to using Sundays as a "rest day" nor did I even think of it as a holiday, I also didn't understand why holidays begin the day before and why Shabbat begins at sundown and ends at sundown.

My boyfriend always refers to American holidays and birthdays as starting the day before. Like my birthday in his eyes actually starts the day before. I didn't get it -- now I get it. The short answer is that Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before. Surprisingly, I'm also learning the Jewish religion and holidays can mean whatever I want them to mean for me. At least that's what I think my Rabbi is telling me.

Practicing Shabbat

Another great reference for me was to hear that Shabbat is like building a habit. I shouldn't be pressured to observe Shabbat in an all or nothing fashion, but I need to try. Our Rabbi was nice enough to give us the "working out" reference: the more you do it, the better you get! What I've been most worried about is having a spiritual and/or religious connection to Judaism--two things I've never liked to talk about. I came into this with an open mind and so far most of it is making sense. My end goal no matter what is to live a happy life and feel good about my decisions. And I hoped Judaism would help me to continue to do that.

So far I can relate Jewish rituals to my own goals. Some examples of this are not keeping myself a slave to my work (like Shabbat), and not giving in to indulgence (like keeping kosher...mmmm I love food). Living according to the Bible is not something I like to broadcast, nor do I think that's what my life will be like. I heard about a book recently called Living Biblically, where a man takes the rules of the Bible and tries to live them--literally. The writer says he found "that literalism is not the best way to interpret the Bible". I think most people understand this and/or like to argue it.

I've gone to some Shabbat dinners, I'm getting my feet wet there. I am lost in the prayers and all traditions, but it's still great to have something to do on a Friday night with my love and friends. As for Saturdays...I love to get things done on this day, and I have to switch my focus to NOT getting things done. Hmmm...