One of the most interesting parts was the difference between how Christians and Jews understand the Bible. As he was explaining, the Jews understand that these books have been passed down for thousands of years, and its impossible for things not to be added or taken away. While I was part of the Catholic Church I always had the impression that everything in the Bible should be taken literally. However, while I was reading the word it would only make me feel extremely guilty. I understood that we were all sinners, but I always felt like it was a contest. Peers in my Church would explain how they helped this person or how they did not lie at this moment and everyone would applaud them. I was never applauded, and usually frowned upon by my elders because of my hooliganism. This really became a roadblock in my journey to God. My mom would tell me to wake up for Church, and I would yell I AM NOT A HYPOCRITE and fall back asleep.
Rabbi Flipp was explaining that he takes many parts of the Bible metaphorically and does not believe that we must follow all these intense rules in order to reach the kingdom of God. It's funny how little I knew about the Jewish faith, and in this case ignorance is definitely not bliss. Hear I am thinking every Jewish person is obsessed with rules and regulations, but in reality my Catholic family seems significantly more judgmental.
While I was reading Esther I was confused on why this was written? It was a very short book, and I wasn't quite sure if this was an actual account of what happened or was foreshadowing liberation for Israel. Another thing I did not understand was when Xerxes declared that he was not going to kill the Jews, all the jews started killing everyone else? That doesn't make any sense to me... Why would they start murdering everyone after they were so scared about being exterminated? If anyone could answer this question I would really appreciate it because I'm pretty confused. Rabbi Flipp was a great man and seemed like he really new what he was talking about. I would really like to sit down and talk to him one on one. Him coming in really clarified a lot of things about the Jewish people today, and helped me have a better understanding of God's chosen people.
I'm glad that you learned so much. I'll respond to just one of the good points/questions you make: I have a hard time with the book of Esther too. It's like "We escaped great injustice but we have the upper hand and now we're going to be unjust too." If you see the stories as not just an unrolling of a triumphant people, but real tales of human behavior, then the fact that the Jews also abuse power is an important lesson. Even those that G-d spares can act out of his accord.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with what Pete said. I thought it was refreshing to hear someone says that not everything is to be taken literally, rather than saying that everything should be, and then not doing it. Rabbi Flip mentioned that he does not look at the books/chapters that takes about bringing harm to others. He said that those parts, he hopes, were not written by God. They were written by the people who hoped to speak the word of God. I think you can find this slighty in Ester. It talks of killing 75,000 people, but you can only hope that this is not true.
ReplyDeleteAs well, I really enjoyed what you had to say about going to church. I know a lot of people who go to church merely for the sake of going; not to worship or anything. They go, they don't listen, sometimes they'll turn out or even fall asleep. And I ask them, what is the point in going, if you don't even care?
I definitely think I enjoyed Rabbi Flip as much as you did, and I also was surprised when he came in. He wasn't what I expected and as he proceeded to talk, he surprised me even more. The fact that multiple times he stated how he didn't believe in a certain passage of the Torah was eye opening. Here is a man who has dedicated his entire life to pursuing the Jewish ways, and at the same time is not agreeing with the very text his religion is run by. I liked that for once, I met a person who does not think that the text must be taken absolutely, 100% literally. The more I learn about each religion, Judaism and Christianity, the more I'm coming to realize the vast amount of similarities derived from texts and beliefs and I think it has been neat seeing the comparisons each one have. Matisyahu is the illest.
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed Rabbi Flip coming into our class and informing us of his view and his religion. I am a Baptist and also from a small town, so I have never heard or seen how Judaism really worked. I agree with you when you say that chruch used to be a contest. Many people try to make it seem that way. I think that they do this to make themselves feel better. I have problems with not believing that everything in the bible is supposed to be taken literally. I myself have not read the entire bible, but I have always been taught "what it says in the bible is the only way." I guess that's just a Baptist thing, but I do see where you come from becuase I do not want to believe some things are literal. However, becuase of my background I choose to believe that it is. This is my personal opinion though.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I really enjoyed your blog!! It was great!