Living Jewishly

What does it mean to "Live Jewishly"?


Living Jewishly means embracing Jewish values, traditions, and practices in everyday life.  It is about infusing Jewish principles into one's thoughts, actions, and interactions, regardless of the level of religious observance.  Here's a breakdown of what it means to live Jewishly:



1.  Connection to Jewish values


Living Jewishly means aligning your life with core Jewish ethical principles, such as:

  • Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World):  Acting to make the world a better place through kindness, justice, and social responsibility.  
  • Chesed (Loving - Kindness):  Treating others with compassion and generosity. 
  • Tzedakah (Charity):  Giving to those in need, not as a favor but as an obligation.
  • Emet (Truth):  Living a life of honesty and integrity.
  • Kavod (Respect):  Honoring others, including parents, elders, those in authority and all people.  


2.  Observance of Jewish Rituals


Living Jewishly includes observing rituals and commandments (Mitzvot) that connect a person to the Jewish tradition and HaShem (G-d).  These can range from daily practices to holiday observances:

  • Shabbat: Honoring the Sabbath as a day of rest and spiritual renewal.  
  • Kashrut (Keeping Kosher) : Following dietary laws to sanctify the act of eating. 
  • Prayer: Davening daily or participating in communal prayer, such as attending synagogue service. 
  • Holidays: Celebrating Jewish festivals like Shabbat, Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Purim as markers of sacred time and identity. 


3.  Study and Learing (Torah)

  • A commitment to lifelong learning is central to living Jewishly.  This can involve studying Torah, talmud, or other Jewish texts, as well as exploring Jewish history, philosophy, or ethics
  • The act of learning is itself considered a form of worship and a way to connect with Jewish tradition and wisdom. 


4.  Connection to Community (Klal Yisrael)

  • Belonging to the Jewish People:  Living Jewishly often means participating in a shared identity and destiny with the broader Jewish community, locally and globally.  
  • Community Engagement:  Supporting Jewish organizations, attending community events, or helping those in need fosters connection and unity


5.  Embracing Jewish Identity

  • Living Jewishly involves celebrating and expressing Jewish identity in a way that resonates personally, whether through cultural, religious or ethical practices.  This could include:
  • Enjoying Jewish music, art, and literature.
  • Participating in family traditions.
  • Identifying with Jewish history and heritage. 


6. Cultivating a Relationship with HaShem (G-d)

  • For many, living Jewishly includes a spiritual dimension, striving to build a relationship with HaShem through prayer, gratitude and mindfulness of HaShem's presence in daily life. 


7.  Sanctifying Everyday Life

  • Judaism encourages finding holiness in the ordinary.  Whether it's saying blessings over food, practicing gratitude, or treating work as a divine calling, living Jewishly means elevating mundane actions into acts of spiritual significance.  


8.  Passing it on:

  • Teaching Jewish values, customs, and stories to the next generation ensures that Judaism remains alive and meaningful.  This can involve creating a Jewish home, celebrating milestones (life bar/ bat mitzvahs), or educating children in Jewish schools.  


In Practice:  A Balanced Approach


Living Jewishly does not look the same for everyone - it's deeply personal and adaptable.  People can be at different observance levels as they walk out their individual paths and draw closer to HaShem.  

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