What’s with all the rules anyway?

Definition:  Halakha = Jewish Law

 As I understand it, the relationship between Jewish Law and Jewish life can be charted along a spectrum ranging from little to no correlation all the way to strict, ultra-orthodox observance.   This spectrum roughly charts the continuum from a completely secular lifestyle to more liberal expressions to more conservative observance all the way to completely orthodox manifestations of Judaism.   In other words, the relevance of the Law to Life is going vary dramatically depending on one’s personal and corporate connection to the various strains of Judaism.

Coming to Judaism from a very liberal expression of Christianity, submission to Law is a concept with which I am familiar but have never espoused.   Although some denominations within Christianity place more emphasis on piety, obedience, and performance of good works, generally seeing Scripture as a divine rulebook, this is not, nor has ever been my orientation.   My generation came up with the bumper sticker, “Question Authority,” and I’ve never considered myself much of a rule/law follower.  Hence, a liberal expression of Judaism like the Reconstructionist movement is probably a better fit for me because I resonate to the presumption that many (most?) of the mitzvot (laws) don’t apply to modern day Jews.   I’m comfortable with that.   The book, Exploring Judaism, talks about this, noting that “one cannot define Reconstructionism as a halakhic form of Judaism.”   The movement is certainly about “transmitting tradition and practice,” but it eschews halakhah defined as, “a rigid body of law, changeable in only rarified circumstances.”

At the same time, while I realize that following the Law and observing the mitzvot is not to be taken up as a rote obligation, quoting from Judaism 101,

Halakhah increases the spirituality in a person’s life, because it turns the most trivial, mundane acts, such as eating and getting dressed, into acts of religious significance … when you do these things, you are constantly reminded of your relationship with the Divine, and it becomes an integral part of your entire existence”(http://www.jewfaq.org/halakhah.htm).

So, while I dislike being told what to do and generally rebel against seemingly arbitrary rules, I also realize that halakhah can be a part of the continually growing edge of my spirituality.   If I find spiritual benefit or meaning in something, it is much easier to accept.   I also know that I derive a great deal of benefit from friends and mentors.   Being able to talk, argue, debate, explore, etc. ideas with someone else that I respect will often have as much or more impact than simply reading about an issue.

I understand that, from an Orthodox perspective, I will never be considered an observant Jew.   My conversion was not a halakhic conversion, and there is nothing that will ever change my status as a religious non-Jew in the eyes of many within Judaism.   This does not bother me very much because some people will consider me Jewish (just as some people considered me to be Christian while I am sure others did not) and the most important individuals within that group will be myself and my Rabbi.   Through conversion I claimed a new religious identity and my subsequent growth within the tradition will shape my life, my views and certainly my relationship to halakhah.  I do not plan to create a checklist and to set goals to become more and more frum (i.e., devout or pious).   I foresee this as a natural and evolving relationship.   If I could make up and wear a t-shirt that distills the essence of the religion I want to practice, it would be, “Meaningful, Guilt Free Judaism.”

In this regard, I was struck by an article entitled Adult Circumcision: Not required that appeared in MyJewishLearning written by Rabbi Rachael Bregman.   She explained her reasons for encouraging but not requiring a man to become circumcised as part of conversion.   She wrote,

I am not a halachic, Jewish-law-following, Jew. I do not require or expect the people I convert to be halachic Jews.  I am a person who delights in welcoming people into the big tent of Judaism where I believe with all my heart there is room for everyone.  Why, in the case of conversion would I require someone to follow a particular law in a legal system to which I am not beholden?  Especially since Jewish law is not binding in my life or the lives of the people I convert and Jewish law can be a barrier to entrance into the big tent.

Although I happen to be circumcised, I found this statement comforting because it will be okay for my relationship to halakhah to be dynamic and evolving.  From day one, adherence to the law will not define, nor measure, my success as a Jew so much as it will inform and shape it.   I love the metaphor of the “big tent” and no matter how observant I am at any given moment, I know that there will be a place for me.  For what it is worth, I think we all abide in the big tent together.   Many paths, many ways!