This past week I had a discussion with a person who was angry about her faith...or lack of it.
She was going on about how, "Things have changed, it is no longer like I remember when we once were active in our shul. So many people have died or moved away and I just do not feel the same about coming to shul. It's just not friendly."
And, she is partly right. Things have changed and over the past five years, I've spent more time at the cemetery than near a huppah. In a way , there has been more than the death of individuals. There has been the systematic murder of...faith. What is worse, if you never had it, it's tough to get it back.
The person I was talking with was, in my opinion, coming face to face with a lack of faith in her life. In the five years that I have been an active member of Beth El Jacob I've seen her in shul perhaps five or six times. And, then only briefly. Her children quit coming years ago and her grandchildren, as far as I know, exist mostly as secular Jews. And, that failure to connect is partly our failure.
Somewhere along the way we failed at the mission of helping her embrace faith over the social context of life. If you read what she said and consider the lack of participation in spiritual and religious events it's clear what she is mourning.
We have failed at defining faith as a part of life and not just something to "wear" on the holidays or when in need of comfort during tragedy. And, I fear this has been a life-long issue. And, sadly...she is not alone.
We see this in other Houses of Worship where people fail to connect with life and faith. Where folks think "belonging" is enough. Where the effort is spent not at honoring G-d but in honoring the social aspect of community. Can the two co-exist? I think so...but there first needs to be the realization that our job on this earth isn't to plan the next Majong Party but to praise, honor and worship G-d for all the things He has created for us.
Life is what we make it. My prayer is that this woman come to realize that true happiness and friendship is in the understanding that we must first serve the mission we have been called to do. Part of my duty is to work on her...and others. It couldn't hurt.
See you in shul!
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