No, Judaism has not come to an end, it is just that the Judaism which you describe has been hidden and even “underground” for a long time. The practices and mentalities of Jewish mysticism offer what you seek. There is a serious relationship between the attainment of mystical consciousness and the transmission of divine prophetic revelations.
But here is the problem with this variety of the Jewish mystical experience: in many, many ways it is a deeply disturbing and unpleasant business. The realizations one has while studying the prophets and attempting to induce their state of mind are rather scary and even shocking to a degree. They will transform those who practice them. This is a far darker, more bizarre world than most people realize... ✌️
Oh, and Zionism counts as a component of Judaism and it is the mainstream position in America. Israel is also a very strong country and makes very significant global contributions across industries. And Israel isn’t going anywhere either. Their military and espionage are tremendously effective and I anticipate they will continue to be very effective shields ensuring the survival of the Jewish state. 🇮🇱🇺🇸✊
1. Judaism the religion more broadly has been hidden by Jews' decision not to make efforts to convert others to their wonderful religion. Which is fine - I get the reasons why. Judaism the religion more deeply has been hidden for the various reasons that Kabbalah/Jewish mysticism/prophetic consciousness has been hidden. It's pretty scary stuff and can be legitimately dangerous. Recall that tale of the 4 rabbis who entered into paradise (aka engaged in Jewish mystical practices)? One died, one went mad, one rejected Judaism, and only the fourth remained a believer. Further, if one tries to explain the various insights gained through mystical practice to one who has not explored it for themselves then one is likely to be regarded as crazy, eccentric, dangerous, weird, etc. Not all of which are entirely untrue. So the whole "don't teach to men under 40 who aren't married" historical prohibition while seeming extreme/unfair I respect at this point.
2. Recover it through getting more non-Jews - especially Christians and Muslims - excited to learn more about the Jewish tradition and how its teachings and principles can benefit their own lives even if they do not formally embrace Judaism and all its myriad practices. The more the other Abrahamic believers can infuse more Judaism into their beliefs the better. At least that's been my personal experience and so I advocate it for others. Maimonides especially is very important in this, as he has been historically far back which Christians and Muslims wanting to grasp the Torah more deeply from a brilliant Jewish mind. And then in this process more non-Jews will also come to discover and appreciate Jewish mystical concepts which in my own personal, subjective view do the most to provide evidence for the existence of the God of Israel and the divine inspiration of the Torah and subsequent biblical texts.
3. I think the correct word to describe the future of Judaism is "evolution." Your people's traditions and contributions to humanity have gone through one evolution and perpetual refinement and improvement after another, I look forward to seeing what you all come up with next! I suspect the State of Israel will play a key role in this...
Fascinating thoughts! Thanks for sharing your ideas and rich personal experience.
I'll be hitting on many of these points in the course of this project, but not on mysticism, which, imo, is not integral to the essence of Judaism as I seek to illuminate it.
Regarding the land/society/state of Israel, I agree that it is the place for Judaism's next act. I recently published a (Hebrew) book on the importance of embracing the Land in order for Judaism's promise to be realized.
No, Judaism has not come to an end, it is just that the Judaism which you describe has been hidden and even “underground” for a long time. The practices and mentalities of Jewish mysticism offer what you seek. There is a serious relationship between the attainment of mystical consciousness and the transmission of divine prophetic revelations.
But here is the problem with this variety of the Jewish mystical experience: in many, many ways it is a deeply disturbing and unpleasant business. The realizations one has while studying the prophets and attempting to induce their state of mind are rather scary and even shocking to a degree. They will transform those who practice them. This is a far darker, more bizarre world than most people realize... ✌️
Oh, and Zionism counts as a component of Judaism and it is the mainstream position in America. Israel is also a very strong country and makes very significant global contributions across industries. And Israel isn’t going anywhere either. Their military and espionage are tremendously effective and I anticipate they will continue to be very effective shields ensuring the survival of the Jewish state. 🇮🇱🇺🇸✊
Through this writing project, I want to elucidate: How/why has Judaism been hidden? Where is it underground? And how do we recover it?
Of course, the question with which this chapter ends is meant rhetorically; I agree that Judaism isn't over. In fact, I think it's only beginning.
Stay tuned for more!
1. Judaism the religion more broadly has been hidden by Jews' decision not to make efforts to convert others to their wonderful religion. Which is fine - I get the reasons why. Judaism the religion more deeply has been hidden for the various reasons that Kabbalah/Jewish mysticism/prophetic consciousness has been hidden. It's pretty scary stuff and can be legitimately dangerous. Recall that tale of the 4 rabbis who entered into paradise (aka engaged in Jewish mystical practices)? One died, one went mad, one rejected Judaism, and only the fourth remained a believer. Further, if one tries to explain the various insights gained through mystical practice to one who has not explored it for themselves then one is likely to be regarded as crazy, eccentric, dangerous, weird, etc. Not all of which are entirely untrue. So the whole "don't teach to men under 40 who aren't married" historical prohibition while seeming extreme/unfair I respect at this point.
2. Recover it through getting more non-Jews - especially Christians and Muslims - excited to learn more about the Jewish tradition and how its teachings and principles can benefit their own lives even if they do not formally embrace Judaism and all its myriad practices. The more the other Abrahamic believers can infuse more Judaism into their beliefs the better. At least that's been my personal experience and so I advocate it for others. Maimonides especially is very important in this, as he has been historically far back which Christians and Muslims wanting to grasp the Torah more deeply from a brilliant Jewish mind. And then in this process more non-Jews will also come to discover and appreciate Jewish mystical concepts which in my own personal, subjective view do the most to provide evidence for the existence of the God of Israel and the divine inspiration of the Torah and subsequent biblical texts.
3. I think the correct word to describe the future of Judaism is "evolution." Your people's traditions and contributions to humanity have gone through one evolution and perpetual refinement and improvement after another, I look forward to seeing what you all come up with next! I suspect the State of Israel will play a key role in this...
Fascinating thoughts! Thanks for sharing your ideas and rich personal experience.
I'll be hitting on many of these points in the course of this project, but not on mysticism, which, imo, is not integral to the essence of Judaism as I seek to illuminate it.
Regarding the land/society/state of Israel, I agree that it is the place for Judaism's next act. I recently published a (Hebrew) book on the importance of embracing the Land in order for Judaism's promise to be realized.