Is Believing in G-d Essential to Being Jewish? - Judaism
According to a nationwide Harris Interactive poll taken in 2003, nineteen percent of Jewish people do not believe in G-d. Of those 19%, five percent are absolutely certain that G-d does not exist and 13% are somewhat certain that G-d does not ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Orthodox Women Rabbis - Judaism
When I first read Blu Greenberg's book, "How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household", I was intrigued by the links she created between her traditional observance of Judaism and her conviction for feminist principles. The message I took from her [... more]
Bella Online |
Perspective and Judgment - Judaism
Recently, I have been working on taking more responsibility over my thinking. When a person on the road cuts me off or honks at me to turn before I am ready, I let the anger and mean thoughts float by me and try to view the world from a different ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Jewish Vegetarianism - Judaism
To an outsider, the vegetarian world can be a confusing place. There are many different ways to practice vegetarianism. Vegans, for example, refrain from eating meat, dairy products, eggs or any food with animal-derived ingredients. Lacto-ovo ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Observant Jewish Life - Judaism
For many Jews, the expression of religion and culture are two different things. There are numerous Jewish people who only enter their synagogue (if they even have one at all) on the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). They light candles ... [... more]
Bella Online |
The Evil Inclination - Yetzer HaRa - Judaism
The notion of good and evil is an intricate inconsistency, a paradox of sorts. In Judaism, despite clear definitions of how good and evil exists, the topic still remains complex. If G-d has a Master plan, then how can free will exist? And, yet, ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Staying in the Moment - Judaism
There are instances in our lives (many, perhaps) that remain with us for a lifetime. Whether positive or negative, these encounters make an impact, embedding themselves within our psyche. Over time, these moments transform and evolve. Judaism ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Tzedakah - Judaism
It's Friday, and at my son's Jewish preschool, they spend time lighting candles, reciting the blessing over the wine and eating challah (bread) in preparation for Shabbat. They also collect Tzedakah. I asked Aaron if he would like money to give ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Jewish Unity - Judaism
Jewish unity. Is it a contradiction? An impossibility? The Ultimate goal of our people? Unity - among the Jewish people in particular - is quite a paradox. We are one people and, yet, there are vast differences between us. We experience much ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Life After Death - Judaism
I am not certain how the concepts of the world to come, life after death, or heaven and hell became so confusing when viewed through a Jewish lens. Numerous articles can be found that begin with a statement insisting that what we have been told ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Texts of Judaism - Judaism
Following the destruction of the Temple and the inability of the Jewish people to continue to bring sacrifices, the study of Torah became the center of Jewish faith. Perhaps the silver lining in such devastation is the value for education which ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Jewish Guilt - Judaism
Most likely, if you are Jewish, you have experienced, joked about, or handed out a bit of Jewish guilt. We laugh at the exaggerated stereotype, typically attributed to Jewish mothers - "Are you eating enough? You look thin." "Why didn't [... more]
Bella Online |
