Day 32: The Validity Of Judaism.

Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and most remarkable race which has appeared in the world. (Winston Churchill)

Thinking about the musings from Day 31: The Basics Of Judaism – Part 2…

I would submit to you that the historical information provided in the Torah in regards to Abraham, Moses and their God Yahweh, provide a real possibility that a single God in charge of everything makes the most logistical sense, especially when compared with the polytheistic and philosophical counterparts covered in the Foundations portion of my class:

Day 18: The Basics Of Polytheism/Animism;

Day 19: The Validity Of Polytheism/Animism;

Day 20: The Basics Of Hinduism;

Day 22: The Validity Of Hinduism;

Day 23: The Basics Of Buddhism;

Day 24: The Validity Of Buddhism;

Day 25: The Basics Of Confucianism;

Day 26: The Validity Of Confucianism;

Day 27: Daoism…Or Is It Taoism? and;

Day 29: The Validity Of Daoism…Or Is It Taoism?

I would further submit to you that from 8,000 BCE to 600 BCE, Judaism provides the most compelling evidence that in fact…

Someone Upstairs Runs The Show.   

Is Judaism a logical belief system? 

In prior writings, I brought up potential issues that one must consider if they were to select any of the following belief systems from an eternal perspective:

Polytheism and Hinduism – Due to the theoretical infinite number of gods and goddesses that anyone can worship at any time and for any reason, there is a question that must asked.  If there are a theoretical infinite number of gods, then are there a theoretical number of equal ways to get where you want to go for eternity?  From a purely logical perspective, is that theoretically, equally, and infinitely…possible?

Buddhism – Besides being a reaction to the strict hierarchy found in the caste system of Hinduism in South Asia, the historical validity of the founder of Buddhism is in doubt for several reasons.  With the historical indecision surrounding the leader of Buddhism, from a purely logical perspective, would it be in your best interest to follow this belief system?

Confucianism and Daoism – These two belief systems are more philosophical based, dealing with the internal struggles in China as they transitioned away from the Zhou Dynasty and into the Han Dynasty during the Warring States Period.  The idea of eternity was never really a part of the origins of these belief systems.  From a purely logical perspective, would it be in your best interest from an eternal perspective to follow philosophical belief systems designed for those during their lifetimes?

So, by process of elimination, if you have been reading from Day 18: The Basics Of Polytheism/Animism), to Day 31: The Basics Of Judaism – Part 2, I would submit to you that of the 6 belief systems covered so far, Judaism makes the most sense from both an eternal perspective and confirming the human continuity that…

Someone Upstairs Runs The Show.

When applying syllogism to Judaism, it flows like this:

PART A – Judaism is a belief system based on monotheism, or the belief of one god;

PART B – The Torah states that this one God, Yahweh, will bless those both here and for eternity, those who believe in him; 

PART C – As a follower of Judaism, Yahweh will bless me both here and for eternity.

So, on the surface, it appears that Judaism passes Aristotle’s syllogism.  So, from a logical point of view, it should rank first as the belief system.

So far, Judaism makes the most sense, while living here on Earth and with your soul…or atman…or whatever you wish to refer to it as…from an eternal perspective.

There is just one issue that needs to be considered with Judaism.  It kind of relates to a similar issue that I brought up with Buddhism. 

I have brought up the following quote by Buddha in Day 24: The Validity Of Buddhism:

“There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires.”

I brought up the facts surrounding just how many human desires there are.  The number that I found was 16:

Acceptance.  Curiosity.  Eating.  Family.  Honor.  Idealism.  Independence.  Order.  Physical Activity.  Power.  Romance.  Saving.  Social Contact.  Status.  Tranquility.  Vengeance.

I raise this issue from Day 24 now because of one item.  One of the goals of a Buddhist is to conquer all 16 human desires in one lifetime so that the soul can move on to Nirvana, (the Buddhist concept of heaven).  With that being said again, how realistic is this, conquering all 16 human desires, in one lifetime?

In other words, is not a follower of both Buddhism and Judaism both faced ultimately with the impossible task, to conquer all 16 of these human desires in a lifetime?

Why am I bringing up this issue?  How do the 16 human desires relate to the belief system of Judaism? 

I would submit to you that for the followers of Judaism, the expectation to ultimately command control and conquer those 16 human desires one must follow the expectations laid out in…

The Ten Commandments.

Yahweh expects those following him to follow the Ten Commandments.  In return for following the Ten Commandments, Yahweh will in effect ‘look out, protect, etc.,’ those followers, the Jews. 

The idea of the Jews following these Ten Commandments and in return, Yahweh looking out, and protecting the Jews, is known simply as the Covenant.

On the surface, that sounds like an excellent return on your eternal investment: follow the Ten Commandments now while on Earth, and then your soul is covered for eternity with Yahweh.

So what is the potential concern with Judaism?

If one is to seriously consider not following Buddhism due to one’s inability to conquer 16 human desires, how then is it possible to seriously consider following Judaism, if they still have 10?

Isn’t that what the Ten Commandments are all about? Dealing with 10 human desires? 

After all, we could all agree that 10 is less than 16, so I suppose a follower of Judaism following the Ten Commandments has that going for them versus a Buddhist, who is trying to deal with 16 human desires. 

For now, instead of focusing on all of those 16 human desires, let’s focus on one.  Let’s focus on vengeance, which is covered under the 7th commandment. 

A simple definition for vengeance would be the following:

“Punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong.”

Ask yourself this question:

Can murder be a natural consequence of vengeance? 

If the answer is yes, then are you not violating Commandment number 7, ‘You shall not murder’? 

But…if you are violating Commandment number 7, how will Yahweh deal with your violation while you are here on Earth, let alone, when you get to eternity?

Do you really wish to find out and live out the answers to those questions?

Now, instead of focusing on one human desire, focus on 3.

I have read about the idea that in the United States, the typical US citizen commits an average of 3 felonies…

Per day.

If that is true, or even if the typical US citizen only commits an average of 3 felonies a month, or a year, or a decade, if that US citizen is a follower of Judaism, how do they reconcile this?

What if I were to tell you that there were actually more than just the Ten Commandments in the Jewish tradition?  In fact, Jewish tradition teaches that there are 613 commandments. That’s right, under Judaism, there are actually 613 commandments to follow relating to:

God, the Torah, signs and symbols, prayer and blessings, love and brotherhood, the poor and unfortunate, the treatment of Gentiles, marriage, divorce and family, forbidden sexual relations, times and seasons, dietary laws, business practices, employees, servants and slaves, vows, oaths and swearing, Sabbatical and Jubilee years, court and judicial procedures, injuries and damages, property and property rights, criminal laws, punishment and restitution, idolatry, agriculture, clothing, the firstborn, Kohanim and Levites, Tithes and taxes, the Temple and sacred objects, sacrificing and offerings, ritual purity and impurity, lepers and leprosy, the King, Nazarites, and wars…. 

Seriously?  Do you have any idea how long that took me just to type those categories, let alone trying to memorize and follow those 613 commandments…

Every day?

Whether you believe that the followers of Judaism are obligated to follow the Ten Commandments or the 613 commandments, either way it appears that we are back to square one with selecting a belief system that we can trust our eternal souls with….

There is still hope. There is one more belief system left to cover that was discovered during the Foundations period of humanity:

Christianity.

Do not feel discouraged if you feel like you are back to square one with mankind’s first 6 belief systems. Do not feel discouraged if you are still undecided just as confused with all of the first 6 belief systems, even after reading about their basic facts.  Instead, embrace the idea that with one more belief system to cover, a solid conclusion can be made.  Embrace the idea that after reading more about the 7th belief system, maybe there is some hope for your soul after all.

⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7-9 KJV)

Was today’s blog a little confusing at times? Was the content perhaps a little overwhelming? Did you feel lost not understanding some or most of the subject matter?

Those feelings are totally understandable and it is ok to have one or more of those feelings. Remember that you are reading Day 32: The Validity Of Judaism.

If you haven’t been in class since the first day of school…or when the project began…or when the contract was first signed, etc., these feelings make perfect and logistical sense.

Please feel free to go back to where all of this began:

Day 1: What Is A Mid-Life Crisis?