Wednesday, 11 July 2018

Being Jewish And Interfaith Rabbi

By Linda Russell


It is always desirable to know more about another Religion and this is so true when couples of different faiths decide to intermarry. Jewish and Interfaith Rabbi is there to provide the answers to burning questions a couple may have and to answer the difficult questions when deciding to convert. There is much to know and much to explore and this can take quite some time as a person embarks on this journey in becoming a convert.

This can pose many problems but most of them can be overcome when realising that it does not take much to have a ceremony that has a Jewish flavor. There is much to know should one embark on a journey of converting to this religion. This religion is vast in knowledge and understanding and it takes years to finally become a converter.

This is derived from both the Oral and Written law and can be dated back to when the Israelites wandered through the desert after leaving Egypt. During this time the mishkan or tabernacle was built. The manner of work that was used to build it was then used as those laws that are prohibited from carrying out on the Sabbath day. Furthermore one is even not allowed to touch a tool on this day, less one is tempted to use it to perform prohibited work.

For instance, on the Sabbath, no manner of work must be done and one has to take a complete rest from weekday activities. This is derived from when the jewish people built the tabernacle during their wanderings in the desert after leaving Egypt many centuries ago. All the manner of work that went into building it must not be done during the Sabbath.

It is a stress free day where one can take stock of the week that has just passed. It is a process of self discovery and teaches one what one should be accomplishing during this lifetime. Apart from this, there are the dietary laws that must be kept where only kosher foodstuffs may be consumed.

Furthermore on a Sabbath people get called up to say blessings over the Torah when the portion for the following week is read out for all to hear. If intermarrying this is important as only Jews may be called up to say these blessings. Some may take this as an affront but this sadly cannot be avoided if wanting to include this as part of the ceremonies.

Usually should one want to convert this can take up to three years to become a fully fledged Jew or Jewess. It requires lots of studying and putting into practice what one has learnt. This is not something to be taken lightly and it has its many challenges but with patience it can be achieved.

As said, there is much to know about this way of life. Interfaith Rabbis are there to assist and to answer pressing questions. It is a beautiful religion that many do not understand and this is why it is worthwhile to do some investigating and research.




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