36 episodes
How To Be Jewish In 30 Seconds Rabbi Kenneth Block
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- Religion & Spirituality
You can be Jewish in 30 seconds or less. Many of my colleagues Jewish and non-Jewish present their religions as an all or nothing insurmountable mountains of material. So, naturally, nearly everyone is going to shy away from it. It’s like sailing. If you learn some of the basics, you can sail a boat. You are not going to be in the America’s Cup or sail around the world, but you’ll love it anyway. I think a disservice has been done to Judaism, by always presenting all or nothing and telling people what they can and cannot do, and you have to give up this and that. The only thing that that results in is people walking away. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can be Jewish in 30 seconds a week by picking a Jewish activity and make it part of your practice .
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Spend More Than 30 Seconds
You have now spent 18 minutes being Jewish. Perhaps you want to spend more time being Jewish. Nothing is stopping you from being Jewish as often as you like. As my sneakers tell me “just do it!”
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Don’t Observe Embrace in 30 Seconds
Observing the rituals is not the goal to being Jewish, embracing them is what makes you Jewish. Use the rituals as a guide, a reminder of how you need to act. Embrace the meaning of the rituals and live them.
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Pause 30 Seconds Before Buying
It is Jewish to live within your means. Moderation in lifestyle leads to a better and happier life.
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Nostalgia Only Takes 30 Seconds
Remembering the past and sharing it is a way to be Jewish. Your Jewish past will become your future so don’t forget it.
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Be Open to New Ideas
Being Jewish in 30 seconds means being open to changes. Judaism survived because it changed and adapted to new ideas. Otherwise we would still be sacrificing animals!
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Circumcision
Circumcision or Brit Milah is a ritual made up of 2 parts. A medical procedure and a spiritual covenant ceremony. The medical procedure I.e. the circumcision can be done in the hospital and the spiritual ceremony can be done anytime after birth.