![]() To become religious is to face opposition, even of oneself – to dare, to defy. But does this happen? For it to occur, much more has to be accomplished. But does it accomplish that goal? Halacha is the external garment of an inner spiritual process which should be stimulated by those very halachic acts. But is it? It should teach us that even our trivialities need to become holy and be worthy of God, so that our common deeds reach Heaven. Halacha should be a constant reminder, an appeal to be attentive to Him, even in the midst of our day-to-day mundane affairs. It is to have a constant, intense awareness of being in His presence, seeing His fingerprints everywhere, and living up to that awareness. To be religious is to allow God entry into my thoughts, my deeds, what I see and what I feel. Sure, living in accordance with halacha is certainly a crucial component of being religious, but it is not what makes me religious. ![]() I want to be religious, and that is an entirely different story. My problem is that I don’t want to be observant. It’s far from easy and boy, do I fail!īut that is not my problem. ![]() Oh yes, I am observant, even “very observant.” I try to live by every possible halacha. genuinely religious, but so far I have bitterly failed. In fact, I want to become more religious and have come to the conclusion that my kippah prevents me from doing so.Īll my life I am trying to become religious, i.e. I have no intention of becoming irreligious, or even less religious. Original printing in Israel’s Hebrew weekly Makor Rishon newspaper, December 2009ĭon’t be shocked. Reprinted at the request of many who attended Limmud Conference, Warwick, UK, December 2011
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