First of all, I will not start off this blog post with the "as a Jew" statement. I know it's cringe, and I have a love/hate relationship with the term.
Instead, I will start off this blog post with this preface: Jewish opinions differ, and I appreciate being able to operate within the realm of the whole.
OK, so now that's out of the way.
My opinions within Judaism have changed over the years and one of the things I love about not being affiliated with a Jewish branch is the ability to question and change my opinion. When I was associated with my old shul, I didn't feel comfortable questioning certain things I saw and experienced. I think this is mostly because of the alignment of the branch with certain viewpoints.
I've always been one to question, and I don't plan on stopping. My questions don't come from a place of needing to know a definitive answer; instead, they come from wanting to know more. Here's an example: I have never stopped going down the rabbit hole when I found out the Sphynx is older than the Pyramids and shows water weathering. I eat up the documentaries, the online articles, the "expert" opinions, all of it. It fascinates me.
I do the same within Judaism. There have been, and will always be, different viewpoints on the same topic. My old Rabbi used to say, "2 Jews, 1 topic, 3 opinions," and I have found that statement to be more true every time it proves itself.
I look at Judaism like a vast living archive of history that has an infinite number of things to offer us. Recently I was sitting with my thoughts and doing a check on them to see if I still align with them or not. This thought session shifted my perspective on a very important Jewish concept.
I fully believe that the collective can bring about change. Heck, we see it happen all of the time with movements from all areas of life: political, economical, you name it. When enough energy gathers in one direction, something happens.
And this thought session........is what made me realize.......the concept of Mashiach fits into my beliefs.
I didn't believe in Mashiach before. It sounded too out there, too much like something I couldn't be a part of. I used strong words with some friends to describe it, because at the time, it felt beyond my grasp and into the realm of the ridiculous.
But what if Mashiach is part of the collective thought.....part of the movement of energy to the greater good instead of a figure that I couldn't mentally grasp. I realized if I believe in collective energy, then Mashiach CAN fit into my beliefs.
So now I'm down the rabbit hole of understanding Mashiach, and I will question, listen, and offer counter arguments as a way to hear different perspectives. Some days I might be more set in my opinions than others, and that's OK.
The fluidity of Jewish opinions, is one of the best parts about being Jewish. It allows us to ask questions our neshima is curious about. I don't believe I am here to follow blindly, and I won't ever do that, but I will gladly sit in the library, read the books, and have a cup of tea while taking and comparing notes with you.
Love
Sorrell
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