I love the Jewish culture and Judaism and people’s dedication to honor God on holidays and setting time once a week to have a Shabbat. This is a day of rest. In Jerusalem on Friday afternoon, many stores, and restaurants close in Israel before sundown to enjoy a day of rest.
This means no electronics or working. This is just one reason to love Judaism, and its practices. It is a daily life practice. If you’re looking at practicing Judaism, it is more than a conversion, and should be looked at seriously as with any new religion you are looking to become part of. Practicing Judaism is a way of life and embracing the religion is a way to connect with God on a higher level, being holy, and being called of God for the 15 million followers of the faith.
“For you are a holy people to Hashem your God, and God has chosen you to be his ... That is why I call you to account for all your iniquities (Amos 3:2).”
Book of Genesis also shared the covenant between God and his Jewish people. “And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a G-d unto thee and to thy seed after thee. And G-d said unto Abraham: 'And as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations.” Take the time to look into your heart and soul is necessary if Judaism is for you. First look at the basic part of the religion.
Laws and teachings
Judaism teaches that there is one God like in Christianity. They follow the moral codes and laws of the Hebrew Bible. There are the first five books of the Hebrew Bible that includes the Torah. The Torah means “Instructions.” The first five books are the Tanakh and are also in the Christian Bible. They are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.How do you live?
The mitzvah is a commandment and living an ethical life by following the Commandments. Jewish for dummies explained: Torah represents the Will of God. However, even traditionalists make exceptions in life-threatening situations, when one is required to let go of the mitzvot and save life. The exceptions to that exception are the mitzvot prohibiting idolatry, murder, and adultery.”Commandments
Commandments given in the Torah are like those of the Bible. Here are 10 from Exodus.
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery."
"You shall not recognize other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth."
"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant, your animal or your stranger within your gates."
"Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you."
"You shall not murder."
"You shall not commit adultery."
"You shall not steal."
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Find a synagogue (beit knesset) and a rabbi
Go to a local synagogue and learn more for yourself. Also make an appointment with a rabbi to learn more about this place of worship and study. Some temples have women and men sitting in different places, with short walls between them, so learn more about the rules before you attend. Google one in your area.
Do your research and honestly ask yourself if you are being led or have a heart to follow Judaism. Also assess if you want to make the commitment, and make the changes in order to commit.
