The Importance of Family

I'm beginning to study my own Jewish heritage, and claim it for myself. Here's something I read tonight.


The Secret

One of the most important, and one of the most unusual moments in interreligious dialogue occurred in a mountain retreat in New Jersey. The Dalai Lama, the major spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, held a meeting with a small group of Jewish thinkers. It is possible that this was the first time in history that a Buddhist leader has ever talked with Jews.

Even more unusual that this was the purpose of the meeting. The Dalai Lama wanted advice. The Dalai Lama is in exile from his land. He wanted to know how we did it... how it is that we survived exile from our land over the centuries.

The men in the group had their own answers. One said that it was the study of Torah that has kept us alive. Another said that it was the study of Talmud that kept us alive. A third said that it was the doing of mitzvot [ritual actions that direct a person's soul toward the Almighty] and the pursuit of justice that has kept us alive. A fourth said that it was our inability to agree on what has kept us alive that has kept us alive.

Blu Greenberg, the Orthodox feminist, told the Dalai Lama: "The secret of our survival is the Jewish family. For it is the family where the physical existence fo the people and the values of Judaism intersect."

And the Dalai Lama looked at Blu Greenberg adn said, almost in a whisper: "That is the secret."

--From "The Dalai Lama Speaks to Jews" by Jeffrey K. Salkin, "Sermon Excerpts"
Moment magazine, April 1990


As my desire to raise my children in a Jewish home increases, this struck home with me. The family IS the primary center for learning, and parents the primary teachers. While that thought is a bit scary, I don't want to shine away from it. So I don't know everything. So what? It's not about "knowing everything," it's about loving my children and sharing with them a beautiful heritage. One that was lost and that I'm in the process of finding again. So why not invite them on the journey? After all, it's as much a process for them as it is for me.

Ariya