Ask The Rabbi…
Can We Talk?
There is a story about a man who challenged his Rabbi.
“I no longer believe in God,” he said.
“That’s fine,” his rabbi answered.
The man seemed puzzled.
“The power which created the universe,” the rabbi continued, “Will probably not be affected by your belief or lack of it.”
Then the rabbi said: “Let’s talk.”
And they began a dialogue which lasted a lifetime.
If you have a question for our Rabbi, then please, go ahead and ask it here… let’s talk
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Finitude– it seems to hit hard in your mid fifties, and this lifelong semantic atheist (thanks for the definitions page!) wonders if this is all there is? The bible is a human creation rings so true to me, the concept of a man made “God” follows logic. But as I get older I wonder: Where is hope when there is no faith? Do you have a crisis of faith when it has never been there in the first place? In your story of the man who challenged his Rabbi, “..will probably not be affected by your belief or lack of it.” hits a chord but I’m not sure which string its plucking. I just know it is time I start thinking about it. Thanks for this website. I will visit again.
I thank you for your interest. Within the blog format I will attempt a focused reply.
Rabbinic Judaism (the Jewish Religion we know), Christianity and, to some degree, Islam resolve finitude by promising eternal existence in an afterlife. Death, hence, finite existence is conquered. The problem is resolved. The soul returns to God and paradise. This finite life, then, has meaning because it is but a part of our eternal journey; the value of which is for God to judge.
This belief has not always held sway in the religious experience of the Jewish Quest. Biblical texts also offer a long and secure life in this world as the reward for following God’s commandments.
Is there, yet, another choice which affirms hope and the essential value of our lives?
Yes. We have the power and the right to affirm and value our existence. Death need not be denied in order for our lives to be rich with meaning. Through acts of personal will we embrace the life we have and make it sacred. It is in our power to learn and to try to improve ourselves. It is within our power to recognize the incredible wonder of Life on Earth.
Focus your hope on continuing and improved relations with friends and loved ones. Be kind to yourself. Accept the good you have contributed to those whose lives you have touched. Forgive yourself for mistakes you may have made and don’t judge yourself harshly.
There is a story about three people who were stranded when the sun seemed to go out. There was total darkness. One said: “I will lie down and wait for my god to save me.” One said, “I will sit here and wait for my death for the end is at hand and there is nothing I can do.” The third said: “I think I can light a candle against the darkness.”
Continue to light candles, then. Affirm the life you have. Ad to the measure of goodness in the world. Your existence, then, will have ultimate value.