I think that G-d is for the weak and the needy. Don't you have the independence to get through life on your own?
36 Comments Posted
Wonderful answer to the argument that religion is a crutch. I wish it addressed also the problem little Chaim faces after he decides 'I want that crutch': That he is now tasked with learning midieval texts (e.g., Shulchan Aruch) which have difficulties jiving with modern logic, in order to effectuate that crutch. Why isn't Believing in God & reading Lao Tsu sufficient - which does he have to read about which hand to wash first, & other various laws which have little practical purpose today w/o using the excuse that there's some mystical reason for this law, and therefore don't ask just do it ;) Maybe thats for another question to the Rabbi.
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Learning about which hand to wash first is our religion, because that's what G-D wants us to do, and we can't understand it because man cannot understand G-D - that's what religion is about!
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do you mean to admit that your belief in God and religion is self serving. i would hope that a rabbi would believe in religion as a truth, not merely a tool to help him through life. For that you can use yoga.
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Maybe that is because little Chaim understands that Jewish practice is more than just a fuzzy, feel-good faith that requires little from its adherents (unlike some other faiths).
Maybe because other faiths sit in judgment of little Chaim because he chooses to observe these 'hand washing rituals' because he knows they have been passed down for thousands of years and he would rather do that than sit in the high and mighty judgment seat of a self-righteous pseudo-spiritual person?
When any other faith/religion in the world can practice the exact same 'rituals' for 3,500+ years while facing ung-dly persecution and yet with little change, then maybe that faith/religion can sit in condemnation of Judaism.
"Hand-washing" may seem to have little practical purpose because you simply don't understand the connection between a mitzvah and G-d. And maybe you never will...
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I, totally agree with this statment...if I didn't have G-d in my life...I wouldn't have a reason to be motivated...because the world alone is not a pretty place to grow up in...and if I didn't have the Jewish Community to say prayers with on Shabbas or Havadalah...I couldn't face Monday Morning...so give me 2 crutches to lean on or let me lean on God's community!`
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I agree that this article nicely answers the "Religion is a Crutch" argument. However, contrary to what you so suppose, there actually are readily available answers to questions like why wash my hands and why the right hand first. It is truly a matter of asking the right Rabbi (I know that many Lubavitcher Rabbis will answer such questions for you). Feel free to ask about any other things you are not sure about. There is an answer to everything and we will only learn by asking questions.
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To Anonymous - If Chaim is looking for that crutch truly and honestly and he is in fact a Jew, the only way he will be able to get support for his soul and to find meaning in his life is through the laws of the Shulchan Aruch. If he were, as you suggest, to read Lao Tsu, it would not be a good fit. A Jewish soul needs to live according to Jewish laws in order flourish.
Think about an orchestra. If the violin played picked up the flute, it would not produce the sweet sound he was capable of making with the violin. The same can be said of religion. If a Jew tries to reach G-d or to incorporate G-dliness into his life though non-Jewish approach, it will not work.
Furthermore, I find it rather offensive that you chose to pick one halacha about hand washing to make all Jewish law sound irrelevant. I could describe to you the molecular make up of an apple. I could describe to you the molecular make up of an apple. I could show you the seed it came from. I could show you the tree it grew on. But you will have no idea how the apple tastes until you take a bite. The same is true of a Jewish life. No matter what you think you know about Judaism, until you live according to its precepts, you really have no idea. And if you were to try, I am sure that your soul will flourish and that you would love waking up in the morning, saying mode ani and washing your hands, the right one first.
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Arg's above don't work. To paraphrase:
1. "A jew needs Torah to work - other stuff won't do it for a Jew." This falls apart since Jews that practice other religions 'know' they're spiritually fulfilled. Yes they really do.
2. "Torah is what G-d wants us to do". Since the only place it says that this is what G-d wants us to do - is old Religious literature itself, this argument falls apart if you don't accept the truth of the old literature.
3. "Your belief...self serving". Guess what - your feeling of belonging, that G-d loves you cause you're a Yid, the kidush-hashem feel-goodies... You're probably not leshem shamayim more than the Dalai Lama :)
4. "You won't know it until you try it". Fails - I have.
So still no valid argument that our Creator truly wants you to pray Minha (maybe he really wants you to pray 5x with a carpet). Only your reliance on old rabbinic interpretations that don't hold water for everyone :)
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What a marvelous answer to those who accuse me of using religion as a crutch. Yes, yes, I need all the help I can get in so many areas...beautifully spoken, thank you Rabbi!
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I'm a little confused. What does washing the right hand or the left hand first or last have to do with the question, "Is Religion a crutch?"
I am new in Judaism....and need to have this question answered...Isn't Judaism helping and doing good deeds? Caring about people is the #1 priority. Isn't it?
Thanks for answering my first question...I want to learn and be productive in the Jewish Community.
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If caring was the priority, you could be a southern baptist and care about people. You could be just a nice giving person and care about people.
The priority in Judaism is Torah. The essence of Torah is to practice the mitzvot. Some of the mitzvot have a direct link to the human def. of goodness, but some of them seem to be senseless to our knowledge. The red hefer, the various laws of the Temple, antiquated laws of mixing various things together. Yes rabbis try to put a moralistic twist on it. But I could do the same with my Toyota Camry guide too. "You should always change their oil every 3000 mi." That could mean, that its important for a person to not stay in the same place.... Midos (character improvement) from Toyota - how sublime :)
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I understand Chaim's concern and his commentary.
Depending on his experience in life and why not cite so many holocausts that the Jewish people passed though and still passes in Israel, under the ung-dly and warped name of a false god, why should Chaim be upset and expressing somehow his feelings under the argument: Religion is a crutch?
Who needs religion if many do everything and live HELL on earth?
I respect your feelings and I think others should also respect instead of answering somehow sarcastically, many like robots...
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I'm not sure that caring is synonymous with Baptist... but maybe this handwashing has some value... thanks for the e-mails...gives me a lot to reflect on.
I do believe the Torah is light to our path to shine on G-d illuminating RAYS and give us TRUTH!
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I can not understand the expression, that Religion is a c r u t c h , because I can't find that word in my dictionary.
But washing my right hand first in the morning does not disturb me.
# 1 in Judaism is not caring for others, it is loving G-d, with ones whole heart and soul and everything what belongs to you.
Everything else comes after that.
And if the one I am in love with likes me to wear a red blouse, I gladly do it. No problem.
I found everything you wrote, interesting.
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I, too believe Loving G-d is ESSENTIAL in Judaism..but to practice LOVING G-d is Caring and sharing with Others...doing a Mitzvah: comforting the Bereaved, the sick, lonely etc.,is a BEGINNING in Loving the CREATOR of the Universe.
I may not not have a lot financially...but it is my responsiblity to be there for others...by sharing me.
I really appreciate all you said too...the physical, as well as the social is what Judaism is all about!
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Rabbi:
Your response to the "crutch " statement was right on the mark. We live in the world of Ego and Me it is too bad that we fail to see the power and purpose that we gain when we grow close to G-d
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I believe Religon needs a community effort. In the the Jewish Faith...it is a congregational effort. Interdependence...we need the continued help of the Jewish community to give us support...but I do believe, the individual must want the help.
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The rabbi isn't saying that he believe's that. He's just trying to answer the question.
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This question and answer blows me away. It is true that in the past I only sought G-d when I was having trouble. When things were good I forgot him. But he never forgot me. A crutch is not a bad thing. Food also is good if we eat to live and not live to eat. It is true that I only seek food when I'm hungry and water when I'm thirsty and friends when I'm lonely. If I did'nt have shoe's I surely would not walk as much. If I did not have religion I would not live as much.
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Excellent response to a frequent statement. Thank you, I will pass it on.
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Without G-d what's the point? We all might as well do whatever our flesh desires without regard to the effects on others. It wouldn't matter anyway, right? Knowing that G-d is always in my life gives me purpose and direction, wisdom and guidance. From the smallest atom to the largest star in the universe, everything has something it relies on to survive. G-d made it that way...and we are no exception.
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It's a little surprising that in this day and age anyone would believe that having faith makes things "easier", like a crutch. The world around me has me questioning all the time, proceeding with faith--not so easy, any more than it was for the Jewish ex-slaves following Moses into the desert. On the other hand, most agree that a little bit of humility isn't a bad thing and proceeding with faith is key to that, acknowledging that in spite of anyone's best efforts, we don't nearly know all!
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Not bad at all...!!
Especially that conclusion was quite compelling!!
Actually, though, I was expecting you to go along the lines of 'coffee is a crutch' or smoking--something along those lines. I don't know anybody who doesn't rely on a crutch without knowing God. Relying on Him is what enabls us to perfectly make it through life without crutches...
Actually, I was noticing today that worship was powerful and strength-giving, energizing me and from that I mean empowering me!!! What other "crutch" gives you that--strength and maintaining your energy rather than TAKING from you--actually sapping your energy and also slowly tapping away at your life!
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Your answer makes one pity those who think they live of their own volition, yet despite ourselves we are born and despite ourselves we die, as Job,in his afflictions, would say.We are totally nullified by His presence so that our opinions on His laws and regulations, life and existence, are actually naive.We don't even know what will happen next,despite being so knowledgeable
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Tov Meod Rav Moss!
Excellent response.
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Amen to Rabbi Aron Moss's answer
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As Rashi put it:
Chukim are Chukim...Ordinances not presented for discussion, but presented for the observance thereof.
This becomes understandable by our so-called infinite human wisdom, if and only if, we acknowledge that we, i.e. humans, are not the creator, but that G-d is. Then they become understandable and acceptable....try it on for size.
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Mostly those who know themselves with unvarnished honesty.
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Thank you. I needed to read this.
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I love your article for it really goes at the hearth of a widespread hypocrisy of the liberal order. But you could take it even further on that road. We live in an order, the liberal order, that values personnal autonomy, accomplishment, strenght, merit a lot. So, whenever some guy wants us to do, think, say or disire something, he will tell us that this (what he propose) is "strong" and the alternative is "weak". But is it "stronger" and more "independent" to avoid mariage and seduce some girls who love big cars ? I do not think so. Is it "stronger" to beleive in "popular will embodied in democratic State and the Law" than in "mere superstition such as religion" ? And when they fail that way, then they tells us their option is a more "natural", more "understandable" expression of weakness (e.g. money, power, lust). In the end, "strong/weak" and "natural/imposed" are persuasive devices.
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We can view religion as a SUPPORTIVE entity but too often it becomes only a HABIT and a way to make an EXCUSE for our not being able to function among other people not in our religion. So, the term "crutch" does have both a positive connotation AS WELL AS a negative one. It's all in how we look at it individually. Also, in some religious PLACES, the LEADERS create a climate of dictatorship, and the target religious group became a CULT or a sect, and the term CRUTCH would be much too light. CHAINS would be more like it. We have to INDIVIDUALLY beware of the negative aspects of adhering to a religion, not just for ourselves, but because through our example, we can cause our religion to have a bad reputation. We don't want that. Regarding Judaism, it is TERRIBLE if people speak badly about us, but if their comments are based on something we individually did to make them dislike us, shame, shame shame!
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You've compared spirituality to all of our material needs. Your analogy is so broken that it can't even be argued with, but that's the case with most statements that attempt to support religion.
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Wow. Some pretty delusional replies here. Please do not confuse belief in a fantasy with the very real needs we have to live. If you have no food you will die. If you have no emotional connections you will not die but be severely psychologically damaged. If you don't believe ancient myths which served to explain what people didn't understand, you will not be missing out on anything (except for the feelings of superiority which are displayed by several posters here). Of COURSE religion is a crutch, but a crutch which is defended by those who are afraid of life without it.
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The Torah is not a simplistic work.
Please, dear “Captain Kirk”, don’t think that G-D created the universe in the most wondrous and intelligent fashion and then created His Torah with no wisdom G-D forbid.
Enter into the orchard of Torah and taste its bliss; have you already learned and lived the literally millions of Jewish books of wisdom? Chumash, Nach, Midrash, Zohar, Mishnah, Talmud, Geonim, Rishinom, Acharonim, Kabbalah, Chakirah, Chassidus, Sha’alos Ve’Teshuvos, etc……. etc… etc…
I don’t mean to G-D forbid be “holier than thou” on the contrary my knowledge of Torah is less than an ant’s egg compared to the universe. All I’m trying to say is give an honest open minded look at the Torah; learn learn learn …… you’ll love it!
(….keep in mind it might take a year itself just to finish one tractate of Gemara …)
Wishing you all the best,
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A crutch is evidence of being broken and "still mobile", at least its not a kickstand. Answer to some comments... Religion is not a good word, I like denomination. I feel if someone washes one hand before the other is their business! It is petty pointing and bottling faith for examination. I am just happy knowing one washes his hands. These are splinters in the eye. You can't pick out the splinter in ones eye, if you have a plank in your own first remove the plank in order to see ones splinter. I am perfectly happy with the Rabbi's answer I read. I don't completely agree thats how I would put religion. But I know that all is broken and we need God to put us back together and if that means I have to walk with crutches its better than bedridden."Religion a word that describes a race where God is the finishline and everyone runs backwards looking at each other getting farther away from the goal." Kinda like a finger pointing match but no one wins. "Just love thy neighbor."
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