Jewish Humanist

[Dena]

What do you think your reason for observing the rituals is? Tradition? Something else? i can't imagine observing the rituals of my former religion absent belief, so I'm simply curious.

I find them meaningful in some way or I wouldn't continue. For me, kashrut changed how I looked at food and brought about some changes in the way I eat. Did I have to be religious in order to reach those conclusions? No but that happens to be the way the changes came about. I also consider it a part of Jewish culture and it's important to me to maintain some kind of tradition.

Attending services is pretty much about being in a setting with other Jews, focused on the same thing, considering how we can be better people. I also actually like to hear Torah chanted. It's lovely when the person reading really knows how to do it. I haven't gone in many months though, since I hate getting up in the morning.

And some things you just do, like seder. It's religious but then again, it's not religious. Like Christmas.

Shabbat candles are pretty. That's simple. My husband likes them too, so I try to light them when he's home (he is not Jewish) and we're going to be around to watch them so the house doesn't burn to the ground.

One thing that does not puzzle me is your dislike of gelfilte fish. That's got to be an acquired taste. :p

Ugh, I don't know how anyone could acquire it.