As An Orthodox Jew, I Know Who I Am

I naturally have a weak sense of self. The sure sense of self is one of the advantages of joining Orthodox Judaism. Many of life’s questions are settled.

I can look at a guy who spends much of the weekend watching sports and realize that’s not me. I can look at a guy taking a boot camp in how to seduce women and I realize that’s not me. I can see a guy spending his evenings in a bar and realize that’s not me. I can see a guy who doesn’t like to join communities and realize that’s not me. I can see a guy who screams and yells at work and realize that’s not me. I can see a guy who uses everyone in his life for his writing and realize that’s not me. I can see a guy who’s on his third marriage and realize that’s not my path. I can see a guy who consistently puts work ahead of his family and realize that’s not the way for me. I can see a family that has no rituals binding them together and see that’s not the way for me. I can see a guy who spends hours playing video games looking at porn and realize that’s not me.

An Orthodox Jew should live with dignity. He has a full life. He has many demands on his time. He lives in community.

As Exodus 15:26 says: “I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; in any of the plagues inflicted on them…”

About Luke Ford

I've written five books (see Amazon.com). My work has been covered in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and on 60 Minutes. I teach Alexander Technique in Beverly Hills (Alexander90210.com).
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