It's Cool To Be A Jew
by Velvel "Wally" Spiegler
 

I was recently teaching a class in Jewish spirituality when one evening a new face appeared in the group. I welcomed the newcomer who asked "what class is this?" I answered, "Jewish spirituality."  She quickly responded with "what do you mean by spirituality?” I offered a perfunctory answer, which may or may not have been satisfactory. She never showed up again. That same question has been presented to me on more than just a few occasions, so I thought it's time for a more thoughtful response.
I realize there is no singular answer but instead there are extents of personal meanings that may find its imprint on an individual's soul. Here are perhaps a few of the more pertinent possibilities. First, could be a need to transcend life in its present condition. We need to find a way to overcome deficiencies in our lives-physical illness, mental and emotional problems. In this case, Jewish spirituality provides a matrix to recognize that  life is not run by external circumstances, but by spirit. As it is written, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." (Zech. 4:6)

Coming to the realization that it's not what you know-professionally, socially, or religiously-but how you live your life is the next possibility that constitutes spirituality. I mean that a spiritual life is a life of joy, compassion, love and healthy values. If your life is not thoroughly filled with this splendor perhaps it's time than to consider making t'shuvah: turning inward towards the spiritual worlds. We have choices. We can either choose to live with our imperfection, our misery and our illness or we can choose the path of t'shuvah which I can personally assert has greatest possible therapeutic power. T'shuvah is the healing power of G-d.

A third possibility is through Kabbalah. We may have been erroneously taught that Jewish mysticism is strictly an intellectual pursuit or that it's taboo for those under forty years of age. In essence Kabbalah is complementary to Torah learning; we need both. They are simultaneously the right and left brain of Judaism and together constitute a unified whole. In keeping with the left brain convention Kabbalah is receptive: receiving guidance from the Ain Sof-the great nothingness we refer to as G-d. Kabbalah, like other spiritual practices, requires a practice from which we understand the mystery and the reality of life. This knowledge arises from the silence and its attributes come clear in the present moment. Here the aspiring mystic practicing the study of Torah, the performance of Mitzvot, prayer and meditation with the proper kavannah-awareness and attention-achieves a level of devekut: attachment to the Divine. The persistent practice elevates one to discovering both his/her true identity and perfection; that you are perfect and the universe is perfect, even though it may not appear that way.

This abbreviated description of the mystic process may seem out of reach for the average person, but it's really not. It takes a certain amount of commitment to the Jewish practices. They need not be strictly halachic, although today it's cool to be a practicing Jew.  Thousands of Jews today are clamoring for some spirituality in their lives as relief from the sterile, cerebral atmosphere they find in their synagogues. They search for inspiration and a more emotional attachment to the Creator.  You can create that drive within yourself-at home or in the synagogue- by simply paying attention, becoming aware, moment by moment, of what's going on inside of you-the sensations, the feeling and the thoughts. It's there when you hear the melodies, when you see the Torah scroll adored, when you see the ark opened, when you see the ancient text in your prayer book, when you stand up and when you sit down. It's there when you enter your home and when you gather around the Shabbat table. It's all-symbolic of the Divine spirit within. That's when you get a glimpse of heaven.