Being Jewish

I grew up in a family where being Jewish was very important. In a way I have to admit that it was a bit confusing.

What is this thing that I’m a part of that seems to be so important to my parents? How should I feel about being different from other people? I’m told that many people hate us. How should I feel about that?!

Throughout my life I’ve contemplated the fact that I’m Jewish and have considered what it means. I’ve also considered how Jewish people might be perceived by people who aren’t Jewish.

Who are these people that I hear so much about? Are they bad? Are they deceptive? Should I choose them to fill this need to blame and create an enemy?

When I step back a bit further, I realize how obviously preposterous this notion is that a whole group of people are ‘bad.’ How do they get to be that way? Are they born evil or do their parents have secret evil indoctrination ceremonies with them?

Whoa. Anyway, what I’ve learned throughout this experience of being Jewish in this incarnation, is that it’s ludicrous to generalize large groups of human beings.

Why do we do that? Maybe it makes things really simple and also supports my ego thinking that it can form opinions that are so far out of its league? For years now I’ve been paying attention to the tendency of others and myself to generalize. It’s a fairly common practice for humans..

What I know for sure, is that I don’t need to participate.

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Thanks for reading,

Avi