Celestial Diary

For years, I’ve lived in a Jewish-dominated neighborhood without ever really interacting with the community. There was no particular reason to avoid them, but the opportunity to connect just never arose. Plus, given my introverted nature, I wasn’t about to strike up a conversation with strangers for no reason.

Last week, I visited a synagogue for the first time (see picture), and it was quite an eye-opening experience. Despite being surrounded by Jews every day, I never really stopped to wonder why they do the things they do or tried to understand them beyond a surface level.

I knew that Jews believe in God and that they’re still waiting for their Messiah (basically, they’re focused on the Old Testament), but beyond that, I’d never given it much thought or asked any deeper questions. So, visiting their synagogue and learning more about their way of life was truly fascinating.

From what I gathered, there are two main Jewish groups in the city: the Orthodox and the Hasidic Jews. Here’s the key difference: Hasidic Jews are a subset of Orthodox Jews, but not all Orthodox Jews are Hasidic. This is an important distinction!

• Orthodox Judaism is a broad category for Jews who strictly follow traditional Jewish law (Halacha) and customs. Within this group, there are several different approaches:
  • Modern Orthodox: These Jews follow traditional Jewish laws but engage more fully with the modern world. They mix religious observance with secular education, professional careers, and broader society.
  • Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi): This group is much stricter and separates itself more from secular society. Even within this community, there are two main divisions:
    • Hasidic Jews
    • Non-Hasidic Haredim (sometimes called Litvish or Yeshivish)

Our guide explained that being Jewish isn’t just about belief—it’s something you are, passed down from your mother. Judaism doesn’t actively recruit people into their religion. I mean, have you ever met a Jew trying to convert or evangelize? Their faith is kept within the community, preserved over generations. Even if someone does convert to Judaism, it’s no simple process. They have to study the Torah and other important texts for years, take an exam, and even after passing, they aren’t immediately accepted—they’re still observed for some time.

The most shocking part for me was learning that they have 613 commandments. I mean, we Christians have 10 important ones and some others, and we struggle to remember or obey even those (some have never even read a bible before)! Yet (Orthodox) Jews follow 613 rules daily, along with additional teachings and customs they have to stick to.

What kept coming to mind during the tour was how lazy we Christians are compared to the other Abrahamic religions. The Jews have 613 commandments; Muslims have the Five Pillars of Islam, plus the Sunnah, Hadith, Sharia, and more. And us? We have the 10 Commandments and a few extra teachings from Jesus. In comparison, we’re honestly quite spoiled.

That said, I also learned that there are loopholes for many of these rules. For instance, Jews aren’t supposed to work on the Sabbath and must rest, but there are ways around restrictions like eating, leaving the house, or doing certain activities. It made me wonder—if there are loopholes for so many rules, what’s the point of the rule in the first place?

I believe God didn’t create us to live in captivity. He gave us free will but also provided guidance and boundaries so we can know right from wrong (Galatians 5:13). So, while I admire their commitment to following these rules and staying true to their faith, no matter how difficult it is, I can’t help but wonder if all of it is truly necessary. In some ways, it feels like they’re stuck in time, like the mezuzah on their doorposts—a symbolic link to the Passover story in Exodus—or the practice of keeping separate kitchens for kosher meals.

But in other ways, their faith creates a strong sense of community and deep respect for their God. They clearly know right from wrong, hold each other accountable, and their hearts are in the right place.

If there’s one thing I wish Christians could learn from Judaism and Islam, it’s the ability to stand firm in their beliefs and not compromise. We often hide behind the idea of free will and come up with explanations for everything. But these other two faiths stick to their scripture, no matter how old-fashioned it may seem. They know how to live in the world without becoming a part of it, while Christians, in many cases, are quick to compromise and blend in (though this is a generalization, the sentiment still holds).

I wish we could obey the Word of God as He intended, without trying to interpret it in ways that fit our own preferences. The world should know who we are and what we believe in just by looking at us. We should be proud, stand tall, and never hesitate to defend our God when others attempt to ridicule Him.

I pray that we won’t be among those believers who merely profess faith with words but fail to live by the Spirit—because on the day of judgment, we don’t want God to turn us away (Luke 13:22-28).

Stay Blessed x