Daily joys, struggles and questions
By S. John Diamond
I consider being a Jew a large responsibility. Judaism is a religion and a way of life, and I try to balance the spiritual with the daily demands of contemporary life.
S. John Diamond
The rich history of Judaism is a compelling story. I wonder how we survived both internal strife and external threats. The story of Joseph is an example of the former and the Holocaust the latter. There is also the question: Why was Moses not permitted to enter the Holy Land?
To practise Judaism, I have to include all of that history: the good and the bad.
Something larger than self
I am saying Kaddish for my mother, who died recently. That means I go to Shul twice a day, early in the morning and at sundown. I ask myself why.
Do I go because I want her soul to have a place in heaven? That would be the religious explanation. Do I go because that is what one is supposed to do? No one would know the difference.
Do I go because that is what I was trained to do? I did go to Hebrew school afternoons for years, and travelled to Israel in 1966.
All I know is that after the services, I feel better. I have accomplished something. And it is not about me. It is about something that is larger than who I am.
And yet when I am juggling my daily schedule around prayer times, I ask myself: 'How could this be the way this religion works?'
We are in this together
Other men and women are saying Kaddish as well. There is strength in numbers and camaraderie. We are in this together.
The mourners are a diverse lot. There are those who have practised Judaism all their lives, and those who have not.
This latter group is the most interesting and in many ways the most inspirational. People who have not had any overt connection to Judaism or religious custom are moved to say memorial prayers for 11 months.
How does that work? Was there a deathbed wish? Did a relative suggest it? Was there something in the quality of the relationship with the deceased? Each story, I am sure, is different.
Israel: A complex question
My relationship with the state of Israel is complex. On the one hand, Israel is a secular country with all kinds of serious issues, both internal and external.
Do I always agree with Israel's policies? No. On the other hand, I grew up with the belief that Israel could do no wrong.
At the UN, when Canada votes in favour of Israel, I applaud. When Canada abstains or votes against Israel, I cringe. I think of myself as a parent with two children. You love them equally. Canada and Israel.
Food, festivals and families
Jewish dietary laws present a challenge. I live part time in rural Ontario and there are no kosher restaurants.
Kosher food is available, but there is not a lot of choice. What do I do? I eat at home a lot and I have learned to cook Jewish foods. If I go to a restaurant, I eat salads and fish. I import meat products when I need to.
Food is central to the Jewish festivals, which I love. They are rich in tradition and I look forward to them every year. The best part of the experience is getting together with family.
Passover, which occurs in the spring, is a celebration of freedom, when we gather together to recite the Passover Seder.
We gather at the home of one of our daughters. This is also an expression of their freedom and independence.
The meal itself is prepared potluck style, and is always magnificent. Everyone contributes a dish or two.
To listen to our kids review their lives after a busy winter is pure joy. There are a lot of family stories and jokes. Often the guest list is expanded to include friends, many of whom are not Jewish. Everyone gets caught up in the joyous spirit.
It's all part of the spiritual richness of living as a Jew. There are challenges, yet the overall the commitment is well worth it.
S. John Diamond was born in 1948 and has lived in Montreal since 1951. He is married with three adult children and has been an insurance broker for 30 years.
Twelve years ago, he and his wife bought a farm near Kingston, Ont., where they spend as much time as they possibly can. He gardens and looks after a very old farmhouse.
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Your Comments
"By reading the descriptions of different religions, it appears the intent of 'religion' is to better ourselves, give answers and, most importantly, find peace within. If that really is the case, then can believing in a god do us any harm?" — Chris, Saskatchewan
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"One thing I hope for is that people keep asking God their hardest questions." — Geoff Rousseau
