FAITH AND BELIEFIn the face of tragedy - natural disaster or human-made - there are those who turn to God for support, just as there are others who turn away. Jewish Tradition has much to say about faith in God (and each other).
1. A faithful person will be abundant in blessings. Proverbs 28:20 2. A person should believe in God through faith, not because of miracles. Nahman of Bratslav 3. God is with me, I shall not fear. Adon Olam 4. We affirm the reality and oneness of God, even as we may differ in our understanding of the Divine presence. We affirm that the Jewish people is bound to God by an eternal [covenant], as reflected in our varied understanding of Creation, Revelation and Redemption. We encounter God's presence in moments of awe and wonder, in acts of justice and compassion, in loving relationships and in the experiences of everyday life. We strive for a faith that fortifies [strengthens] us through the vicissitudes [unexpected changes] of our lives - illness and healing, transgression and repentance, bereavement and consolations, despair and hope. We continue to have faith that, in spite of the unspeakable evils committed against our people and the sufferings endured by others, the partnership of God and humanity will ultimately prevail. We trust in our tradition's promise that, although God created us as finite beings, the spirit within us is eternal. In all these ways and more, God gives meaning and purpose to our lives. "A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism," Adopted at the 1999 Pittsburgh Convention, CCAR, May 1999 |
Powered by:
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
http://www.jecc.org
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
http://www.jecc.org