Constantly Feeding Our Internal Spark

Jewish learning is a continuous process of discovering the richness and relevance of our tradition. Many people think learning can stop when school stops. Stopping Jewish studies after 13 is all too common.

This week’s Torah portion, Tzav, instructs that a small fire must burn permanently on the Altar represent the desire within each of us to connect to something bigger and higher, just as a fire always reaches upwards. This small flame also reminds each of us that we have a spark to learn and improve within us. It is our responsibility to nurture our spark by feeding it through continued learning.

The smallest commitment today to Jewish learning and knowledge can feed a blaze for generations. Our books, texts, and traditions bring new meaning to us at different stages of our life. An easy way to re-start our Jewish journey is to visit My Jewish Learning and explore its rich treasures of information. Consider signing up for one or more of their newsletter. Let’s show our children why exploring our traditions is important by displaying our own passion for constant learning.

TALK TO YOUR KIDS about the value of being life-long learners.

CONNECT TO THEIR LIVES:

· Did you know that the brilliance and wisdom of the Torah’s values/ethics are available to everyone, disbeliever or believer?

· Did you know that our Torah is a great collection of wisdom that has positively affected other religions and even the founding fathers of America?

· Did you know that Jewish wisdom is relevant to EVERONE’S life today? (A small example is “a day of rest each week”.  Before our Torah, nobody divided time into weeks. All time was in months based on the moon.)

· How can we (as a family) incorporate learning into our routine?

From “Values and Ethics: Torah Topics for Today,” available from Behrman House Publishers.