Opinions, Opinions, Opinions...

Opinions…we all have them. While we search for direction we come up with theories that we live by. Some use Kabbalah to help them out, others astrology, but I prefer to use The Book, the Torah. Why do we keep kosher? Why do we pray? How should we build relationships? We all have opinions, but that’s all they are: our opinions. We need something real, something lasting. We need to look into The Source.

Recently, The Jewish Journal published an editorial discussing the reasoning behind keeping kosher. The author wrote that it’s not enough for modern Jews to keep kosher because G-D told us too. That it’s not enough for us and we rely on different reasons. Rabbi Wolpe responded irately. He said that it’s enough for him; that it’s enough for lots of us because that IS why we keep kosher. Yes, there are other rational reasons that we can hypothesize and debate but when push comes to shove, we keep kosher because the Almighty told us to and it doesn’t really matter why the editor of the Jewish Journal finds kosher important.

In case you’re wondering, I am a believer that we should ALWAYS follow the Torah. The Torah is a book full of rules for life. There’s no “when in doubt issue” because the Torah tells us what to do in every situation. How convenient is that? It’s like being able to wear a uniform instead of having to look through your closet with dread and indecisiveness. When people rely on opinion, there is no rule because everyone has their own opinion. You can’t argue someone else’s opinion away because it is how he feels. I love chocolate chip cookies. If we are both at a dessert reception, I will head straight for the cookies while you may go for the fondue. You can argue with me that fondue is better but I won’t change my mind. So I will continue eating cookies and you will continue eating fondue. There is no clear answer as to which is tastier, cookies or fondue. Luckily, there is enough room in the universe for both cookies and fondue. But what about murdered and people against murder? Is there enough room in the universe for both of them?

Torah gives us depth and clarity. If you are looking for answers, a way to understand different life concepts, the Torah is the place to look. While a 10 year old and a twenty year old can read the same phrase in the Torah, they can both understand it differently. And the same person may understand the same phrase differently a year later because the Torah is so DEEP. Imagine standing at the beach and looking into the ocean… it keeps on going. HOW AWESOME, IS IT? The Mashgiach, Rav Leuchter explains, “Torah is above us.” He gives the example of a cadaver that gets dissected. There’s no more life to it. You can do what you want with its organs; you’re in control as it has no more control over itself. That’s not Torah. Torah is bigger than life. It doesn’t stop because you or I stop, it keeps on going. You don’t understand it? That’s ok. It doesn’t need your understanding or your approval, just your compliance. It guides our lives and gives us breath. It directs us on how to live a spiritual and physical life. You want to learn Torah, you want to debate its meaning etc, go ahead. You can like fondue while I like cookies. As long as we both still eat dessert.