One of my dear friends is Jewish. Marcia and I lived with several other roommates in San Francisco in the late 60s. We also traveled through Mexico together. She was not religious, but she was spiritual. When we returned to Salt Lake City, I was invited to meet her very traditional Grandma and partake of some of their wonderful meals.
Her father owned a pawn shop, and we would occasionally hang out there. We had a psychic tell us once, almost in passing, that we had been in a Jewish imprisonment lifetime together. I found that interesting, since I have always had a strong pull to Judaism. I LOVE Hebrew music and dancing, and the “Star of David” symbol has always attracted me.
When I was in my 20s, I studied a bit of Kabbalah, though in some of the Jewish traditions, only certain individuals are allowed to study it, and only after they have reached age 40. It becomes a life-long exploration. I found myself just scratching the surface of it by attending classes and reading books. It was very intriguing, especially as it relates to Judaic-Christian Scripture. But alas, not speaking Hebrew became a serious impediment, since it was an oral tradition, and the sounds of the words become very important.
There are some interesting books “about” Kabbalah, however, which help explain what it is for the lay person. It is certainly an important part of the mysticism of Judaism. It includes a cosmology—a map for finding our place in the Universe, for gaining a small inkling of God and of our own path to the Divine.
Most of Christianity forgets that the Christian religion evolved out of Judaism. Jesus was a Jew, and the early teachings included much Judaism. We share the Old Testament, especially the first five books, which Judaism calls “The Torah.” And Abraham, considered the “first patriarch,” is a very important Prophet in Judaism…and also Islam. He brought the 10 Commandments to the Jewish people, and they formed the foundation for the Laws governing them. He became the Father of the Hebrew people.
A “Minister” in Judaism is called a “Rabbi.” It means “my teacher,” or “my master.” A Rabbi is also a person qualified by academic studies of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud to act as spiritual leader and religious teacher of a Jewish community or congregation.
There are more women Rabbis than before, and particularly in the Reform Movement. And the same is true of Cantors, those trained vocalists who lead the congregation in musical prayer, chanting, and liturgy during Shabbat, holidays, and lifecycle events. They are often trained to be Rabbis as well.
Love & blessings,
Rev. Kathy