I'm going to Synagogue tonight & would like some Jewish thoughts on the matter...?

Question

Yes, I'm pretty much an absolute atheist, there's gonna be no changing that without a sudden and drastic global revelation. However, in my life, I've learned that when my gut says to do something, I do it, because it has never failed that the logic could not be understood pre-event, only post-event. My gut says go, so I'm going.

I've contacted the Rabbi at the local Reform Jewish Synagogue and have been invited to join tonight. I've squared away appropriate clothing, and for the day I'm doing my best to follow kosher rules as a show of respect for the holiness [in the eyes of those I will be in the company of] of their service and faith.

My question:

What advice/insight would you have to offer? I'm interested in hearing cultural feedback: modes of behavior expected, customs to follow/not follow, basically -- what advice would you give a friend you were inviting to go to Synagogue with you?

Just to clear up some misconceptions -- I am not jewish in the religious or ethnic sense. To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing Jewish to me except that I've studied Judiasm and Kabbalah (from the Sefer Yetzirah and Zohar) and hold a great deal of respect for Judiasm.

Cogito, I welcome your words, we have had some good discussions in the past and though we have not reached the same conclusions, I've valued the exchange of ideas.

To be honest, I truly have no idea at all why I am going beyond this: My gut said go, so I go. In my life, I have learned to trust my gut without question. I expect nothing of the experience, besides the experience; but this means that anything I do get will be a pleasant surprise. :)

Answer 1

Do not openly wear symbols of other faiths.

At events occurring on Saturday morning it is customary for guests who are not Jews to arrive at the scheduled time at Reform and Reconstructionist services. For Orthodox or Conservative services, which tend to be longer, ask your host the time you should arrive so you can be present for the specific event within the service for which you have been invited, unless you want to participate in the entire service.

Sit whoever you wish, while respecting any separation of men and women, which occurs in Orthodox congregations.

Don't leave when the congregation is standing, when the Torah is being taken out of or returned to the ark, when the rabbi is speaking or, in general, during the specific ceremony to which you have been invited is taking place.

Visiting non-Jewish people are expected to stand with the congregation. It is optional for them to read prayers aloud and sing with the congregants, if this would not violate the guest's religious beliefs.

Do not take pictures. Do not use a video camera. Do not use a tape recorder.

There is usually a reception after the service. It may last 30 to 60 minutes. There is usually light food served such as pastries or fruit, as well as coffee, tea, or punch. Sometimes appetizer-type foods are served.

WAIT UNTIL A BLESSING HAS BEEN SAID BEFORE EATING OR DRINKING ANYTHING. Wine and grape juice are provided in almost all congregations for the ceremonial blessing before drinking "the fruit of the vine". A special blessing is recited before eating bread.

In all Orthodox and some Conservative congregations, ritual hand washing is done before eating or drinking.

That's all I can recall right now.

Answer 2

I am curious as to the sense in which you are Jewish. You are an atheist, so you cannot be Jewish in the religious sense. And since there are Jews who are not religious, it follows that "the Jews" are something other than a religious community; i.e., there is some distinction between the Jews and the goyim, in the countries wherein both live, other than religion. I ponder what that distinction might be.

I am also an atheist, and whereas I've never felt any impulse to go into a synagogue, I've been invited into both Protestant and Catholic Christian churches. And occasionally I've accepted. Christians are usually strongly evangelical: if they know that you are an unbeliever, they will outdo each other in an effort to convert you by persuasion (and some of them get a little carried away when doing God's work).

Since I don't know whether religious Jews are similar, I can't estimate what level of pressure you will face to change your beliefs from atheism to (whatever form of) Judaism (the synagogue teaches). Just in case, I'd try to decide, ahead of time, how much counterargument I'm prepared to give in response to such pressure. Not too much, of course, since you wouldn't want to become a candidate for sacrifice during the March or April holy days.

Answer 3

I'm not Jewish, but I could not help saying a few words. I hope that is ok. I used to be a die-hard atheist also.

Just be open minded. You are not giving up your reason, or one bit of your intellectual honesty, nor should you. You are starting a journey of investigation. However, your reason will be challenged as never before. Some things that do not make sense now, will make sense later, for first you get information, then knowledge, then understanding, then wisdom. Reality consists of far more unknown than known. When you begin to have a peace that surpasses understanding, you will know are headed on the right path to gain spiritual discernment, whatever that truly means.

BTW, I just read a novel called "Sotah" which gave me more insight and respect for the orthodox Jew.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Well, I don't know what they do at reform temples, but I'll tell you about mine:
you got the appropriate clothing down. that's a good first step.
you may want to secure a skullcap (I'm assuming you are jewish). If you have any friends there, I'd recommend sitting next to him as he'll be able to que you when to stand and sit etc. and show you the pages. Also, most synagouges have hebrew-english prayerbooks, but if they don't you may want to get one. (I happen to enjoy artscroll.com's selection).

um... you may also want to check out the site http://www.aish.com . It's well written, clear, down to earth, and covers just about all aspects of judaism and jewish culture.

cheerio

Answer 5

if you are an atheist, then why are you going? it seems odd that a person who does not believe in G-d would want to spend the night worshipping G-d

Answer 6

If you don't like it, try an Orthodox synoguage, it's much more "real".