Born and Raised - July 1 2025

 

Born and Raised

July 1 2025

I'm not religious.

Although I apparently have one.

Born Jewish

raised a bit that way

and not at all practicing;

but still

I feel the weight of history,

and an identity like this

at least gives me a place

in a complicated world.

Not to mention

it's a label

they won't let you forget.

So, a gastronomic Jew.

A cultural Jew.

A nominal Jew,

even though

I check the box marked "Atheist".

But what interests me here

is the word "practicing".

We practice religion.

Sure, the rituals and incantations

High Holy Days.

But also the sustained effort

that should lead to perfect faith.

Because it takes practice

when the obverse of faith

is doubt

and doubt is ever-present,

and because we all sin

like it or not

against our better nature.

But sometimes, it's just belonging

we all need,

familiar ritual

and the feeling of community.

People who practice their religion

but don't care about theology,

are merely amused

by heated Talmudic disputes

and the parsing of words.

Who contend with faith

or could even dispense with it.

Who may just kind of believe,

but take great solace

in the hallelujahs and hosannas,

in lighting the candles

reciting the prayers

joining in song.

Even if

their voice is lost in the crowd

like yours was

when they stuck you in the back row

of the school choir

with all the other grade 9s

who couldn't hold a note,

were told, sotto voce

to simply mouth the words.