CONDUCIVE TO SPIRITUALITY?

Does all this form of worship tend toward spirituality? One thing that definitely tends toward a lack of spirituality is the rabbi-laity division that is becoming more and more pronounced in synagogue worship, the worshiper taking less and less active part, and becoming ever less informed. This is especially true of the younger generation.

A second weakness is the adulation given to the Torah scrolls. “There is no more sacred object than the Torah scroll,” we are told. Ritual accompanies its removal from the ark and its return, and it is considered a great honor to be permitted to carry it. It is wrapped in highly decorated velvet cloth and has ornate end pieces. But how enlightening is all this? Does it help one to understand and appreciate its contents?

Instead of giving the scroll itself so much attention, would it not be better to stress its laws? For example, are those in attendance guilty of looking to other gods, to the United Nations or other political organizations instead of to the God of the Bible for guidance and help? Are children obedient and submissive? The Law condemns murder, but does not engaging in Gentile war violate that command? What about the rest of the commandments: You must not steal, commit adultery, bear false witness and covet? Surely by learning to obey such commandments the Torah would be held in more honor than merely by a ritual.

Most serious of all is the lack of faith in the Torah as the inspired Word of God, handed to Moses by the Creator. More and more, Judaism in all its branches is taking a liberal view regarding the Torah as the work of men and having only tradition to support it. Human tradition is like a broken cistern that can hold no water.—Jer. 2:13.

Each Jew should be familiar with his Hebrew Scriptures. He should not rest his faith solely on his rabbi. In times past the prophets denounced the religious leaders for having misled the people and they urged them to pay attention to the Word of God. The Hebrew Scriptures point to deliverance by the Messiah. Every Jew who takes his worship seriously should be well acquainted with the prophecies that tell about the Messiah. He should know where they are found and what they say. He should give personal consideration to those who history says have been hailed as their Messiah and know for a certainty whether any of them met the Scriptural requirements. God’s purposes will not fail, but many, for lack of spirituality, will fail to receive God’s blessings.

Traditional Danger

“To follow imperfect, uncertain, or corrupted traditions, in order to avoid erring in our own judgment, is but to exchange one danger for another.”—Richard Whately, archbishop of Dublin.

“I am well satisfied that if you let in but one little finger of tradition, you will have in the whole monster—horns and tail and all.”—Thomas Arnold, nineteenth-century educator.