With the majority of the United States being Christian, many wonder about the religion of Judaism, from its beliefs to the purpose of its holidays. Being a Jew, I do know a fair amount of what it stands for and how its celebrated. Here are 6 common questions, answered.
1. "But Christianity came first."
Sorry buddy, you're wrong there. Actually, Judaism came first. It's about 2000 years older than Christianity. Jesus was actually Jewish, as well. So don't go dissing Judaism. Thanks to us, here you are. Yo, Moses, you da real MVP. Thanks for freeing us from the slaves!
2. "What is a bar mitzvah?"
Bar (for boys) and bat (for girls) mitzvahs are a special ceremony celebrating the entry into adulthood, or the coming of age, for Jewish children. Think of it as a Jewish version of your first communion. But, a bar/bat mitzvah can be a lot of work. We spend 6 months prepping our Torah and Haftorah chants. We even pay for private tutoring sessions. It all pays off by your special day, and it comes as a shock when you are able to read through the Hebrew perfectly and fluently. There is usually a huge celebration afterwards, such as a party, where you invite all your friends and family. To answer further questions, that scarf draped around our shoulders is called a tallit, and that pointer stick we hold in our hand is called a yad. Psst, Mazel Tov means congratulations.
3. "Do you speak Jewish?"
No. I don't. Jewish is not a language, Hebrew is. Jewish describes our religion. Having the ability to speak Hebrew depends on how religious your family is. I went to Hebrew school for 5 years, where I learned to read Hebrew, and I still have that ability today. So before you ask this, give it a try, it's not that easy.
4. "Do you wear the big black hats and the curls on the side of your head?"
No, I do not. Just like Christianity or Islam, there are different levels of how religious one can be. Personally, I am more on the less religious side. I had a bat mitzvah, went to Hebrew school, and went to a Jewish preschool, but I haven't been to synagogue in a few years. I don't cover my whole body, I use technology on the Sabbath (gotta love the Challah, though), and I don't wear payot (those curls) on my head. The people who do are referred to as Orthodox, and are very religious; they choose to be that way. If they have a deep connection with Judaism, let them be. Please don't make fun of them. They are humans just like you.
5. "What is a Torah?"
It's the Jewish bible. Simple as that. Here's a fun fact: Usually, during religious services during holidays such as Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) or Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), you kiss your hand and then touch the Torah when the Rabbi brings it around, as a sign of respect. Also, when you drop a prayer book by accident, you must kiss it.
6. "Is Hanukkah just a Jewish Christmas?"
Alright, stop right there. It's not just a day that's made up for Jews so they can join in on the fun while Christians celebrate Christmas. After all, Judaism came around first. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is actually the rededication of the Holy Temple. It was led by a man named Judah the Maccabee, who successfully turned down the Greeks' attempt to force the Israelis to accept Greek culture and life. The menorah was lit, and a one day supply lasted for 8 days, thus why Hanukkah is 8 days long.
So, there you go. No more questions asked, please.