Posted January 7 2008
Labels for the checklist
“The Back Alley Approach”
There was a post about categorizing people for dating purposes. I am not a fan of labels, or conforming to “ the man.” I want to share an experience that helped shape the way I do things today.
I was having a conversation with a rabbi who asked me, “Why do you do the few religious things you do?” To put it into context, I don’t daven on a regular basis, I only keep Shabbat when staying at someone’s house who keeps it, Kosher and “kosher style” are very similar terms etc. Why then, do you give charity, pray when you do, and not eat treif meat?
My answer to him was, “I know I won’t have front row seat to the big concert in heaven, but if I can get in to the bleachers, or in through the back alley door, I will take it. That’s why I volunteer, pray occasionally, and try to be a descent guy.”
He told me I was a moron; the fact that I rearrange my comfort zone to get into a heaven that I can’t even prove exists is ridiculous. I felt a trap coming, but I asked why he does the things he does. His answer was, “A relationship with G-d.” He explained that he puts on teffilin in the morning so that he has a relationship with G-d all day. He makes a Brocho before he eats so he strengthens the relationship with G-d.
Heaven or not, I am years away (hopefully) from finding out if my plan worked. He gets to know today that he has a relationship with G-d.
I thought this was very profound, and have tried to incorporate this into my thought process.
Do I know whether the general public would consider me Conservadox, or Mordern Othrodox, or Reformadivox??? I don’t care quite frankly, but I know that I have a relationship with G-d today, and I appreciate it.
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