Day 7 of Judaism - Ritual, Relationship and Reason

Ritual
Ritual is obviously very important to the Jewish Religion. Thinking of Judaism for me brings to mind a people set apart by tradition and ritual:

• The bris, circumcizing their sons and a celebration on the child's 8th day of life
• The bar-mitzvah and bah-mitzvah, coming-of-age parties for children turning 13.
• Pesach, or Passover - the acknowledgment of God's hand in liberation from Egypt.
• Shabbat, time set apart every single week to worship God

Hundreds of other little (and big) things are unique to the Jewish tradition... sacrificial rituals, the Ten Commandments, the Ark of the Covenant, Chanukah (Hanakkuh), dreidels and matzah balls, Mezuzahs, tefillin, the songs, reading the Torah in Hebrew...

on prayer, ritual, and relationship

Prayer. Arguably the most important practice in Christianity. Arguably the most forsaken.

Prayer is how you become a Christian to begin with, right?

I remember the day I accepted Jesus into my heart, as a five year old, praying with my Sunday school teacher, Ms. Sanders. She asked us if we wanted to receive Jesus and I was so eager to please Jesus, so eager to please Ms. Sanders. I wanted them (Jesus and Ms. Sanders) to be happy with me and think that I was a good girl, and I raised my hand.