According the Law of the Torah, a Jewish person is one whose mother is Jewish;
it doesn’t matter what percentage of Jewish blood is flowing in your veins. For me,
personally, it was a new discovery and a nice surprise. G-d, who created this entire
universe, who rules over kings and presidents not only knows me, but even
promises
that he will always pay special attention to me and to guard me exclusively.
What? Are Jewish people different?
Abraham was different.
He recognized G-d and started to worship Him when all other people worshipped
the sun, moon, rivers, animals and other idols. Abraham was a very unusual, deep-thinking
and outstanding person. He devoted his entire life to “spreading G-d’s Name” to everyone
around him. When he was ninety nine years old, G-d decided to distinguish him, to make
a special covenant with him and his children after him. Abraham brought up his son
Isaac in the same way and so on. Generations later, this family grew to be a
nation keeping the same values and beliefs as its forefather.
Later on, the Torah and Ten Commandments were given to the Jewish
people on Mt. Sinai. Our sages all agree that this set of commandments
(see link to full list below) is the essence of the Torah’s 613 Commandments (248 positive and
365 negative).
So many commandments?
Don’t be intimidated! First of all, there are certain Commandments (Mitzvot
in Hebrew) that are not applicable as long as there is not Holy Temple in Jerusalem
(it was destroyed by the Romans in 69 C.E.). Secondly, some parts are applicable only
to special groups of people (kohanim*, women, etc.) Finally, a big part of the
commandments are limited by time (Sabbath [Saturday], Passover, etc).
Do you know how many commandments you already observe every day?
Our sages say: “even a sinner is full with Mitzvot like a pomegranate with its seeds”.
What does it mean?
Helping elderly people, giving charity and other less well known ideas are
examples of Mitzvot. Or every time you visit a sick person or honor your parents
(when you speak to your mother when she wants to), or teach your kids something
good (even teach them how to read) you perform a certain Mitzvah.
Other examples of Mitzvot include: All 8 hours a day when you work (it is a
Mitzvah to support your family) or when you make your wife happy (even little things),
marital relation by itself, or just your presence at a Jewish wedding. Reading just one (!)
line in the Torah or in other related books, eating something delicious on the Sabbath or
any holiday are Mitzvot. Even a single thought about G-d is a Mitzvah.
All in all, there are 248 opportunities to change our world (and affect the upper world)
for the good, and 365 “dangerous areas”, or signs to avoid certain behaviors that might
result in a spiritual ruining.
There is a lot more to say. If you want to find
someone near you to talk to -
click here.
List of the Ten Commandments
(with explanations).
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* Kohanim - are the descendants of Aaron (brother of Moses), chosen
by G-d to perform certain sacred work, particularly in connection with the animal
sacrifices and the rituals related to the Temple. Nowadays, Jewish people continue to
keep track of kohan lineage.
