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When friends ask questions about your faith, how do you respond? How do you explain beliefs based on life-long study and practice? How do you tell them about religious ideas that have a history of scholarly interpretation? One way might be to narrow things and focus on a single aspect. By sharing your religious ideas with friends, you will not only be helping them, you will be strengthening your own understanding as well.
A single aspect of Judaism is a special prayer that begins with the words "Sh'ma Yisrael" ("Hear Oh Israel..."). It is found in the Book of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. According to some scholars, it is one of the most quoted verses of the Bible. It has been recited and revered for hundreds of years by different faiths and denominations.
The "Sh'ma" is one of the most important affirmations of faith in Judaism. The opening words are "Hear Oh Israel, the Lord our G_d, the Lord is One." A response follows. "Love the Lord your G_d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up...Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Starting when I was 8 or 9, my parents taught me this prayer in Hebrew, three words at a time, just before I went to sleep, until I had learned it by heart.
A Jewish home will have a "mezuzah" on the doorposts of each room in the house. It is a small case with a tiny scroll containing this prayer, written by a scribe on parchment.
With the last breath, a Jewish person is supposed to say the first words of the "Sh'ma."
It is amazing to think of the many hundreds of generations of Jews who have said these same words. Today Jewish people all over the world recite these words at different times and locations. And they will be a mighty link to future generations as well.
Answering friends' genuine questions about your faith requires a plan. Limit your information to one concept, one event, or one prayer, such as the "Sh'ma." Share your experience, understanding, or interpretation. Be prepared for more questions. Then, point your friends to scholars who can expound on your faith.
Emphasize that words are limited, but the Almighty is not. Ultimately, refer your friends to the primary source of your beliefs. You will find that helping your friends understand your faith is rewarding, for them and also for yourself.
Helen Singer is a member of Ohev Sholom Synagogue. Joan Schell is a member of Pine Street United Methodist Church.