Once, when manning one of the outreach trailers known as “mitzvah tanks,” I asked a passerby if he would like to put on tefillin.
“No, I don’t want to be hypocritical,” he replied. He explained that he did not believe in G‑d and therefore did not want to observe His commandments. When his mother had been sick he had prayed, perhaps the first sincere prayer he had offered in years, and yet his prayer was not answered. His mother had passed away.
“From that time onward,” he concluded, “I do not believe in G‑d.”
Ultimately, he put on tefillin. There is no need to elaborate on the arguments I used to persuade him to do so, because what he really needed was some warm concern, not theological debate. But his statements are worthy of analysis, for they reflect many common misconceptions about faith.
LATE TO LEARN I am also an older woman and have come to learn with a Rabbi in my area. I was also raised Christian. I have learned so much from Chabad that I never learned in Christian churches. My world is opening wide to me now, I am so pleased.
For me it was also an eye opener, I agree with you .
Now I am in my sixties and have also the feeling I am too late.
My family thinks differently , and not so positive about religion.
But I am very glad to learn from this website.
Jewish tradition teaches that one of the greatest sages of the Talmud, Rabbi Akiva, was an unlearned shepherd who only began studying Torah at the age of forty. It's never too late to embrace our beautiful heritage! Chabad.org is here for you, and your local Chabad rabbi can assist you as well.