Will I find spirituality in Israel?
The Old City of Jerusalem
I’m very impressed that Deb Singer (I don’t know you but kudos to you) had the courage to write an honest post about spirituality – or lack there of – in her Israel experience. She had certain expectations which, from what I understand, were not exactly fulfilled.
I think that first of all the honesty in that post is so important for Deb and for people reading hebrewyou.com. Honesty with oneself is the path to all good things.
In this case, the good thing, in my opinion, would be yes, having a spiritual experience in Israel. If someone is not feeling the spiritual elevation they want to be feeling or think they should be feeling, if they just continue doing whatever they’re doing while pretending they’re feeling fulfilled spiritually, there’s no chance for things to change for the better.
As for Israel and spirituality, this lovely place does not automatically spiritually lift any Jewish person who chooses to come and spend some time here. It’s an unbelievable spiritual resource and can help many in that realm but for some people it will not be what they need in the present time.
I know this from experience. I grew up in Jerusalem and I was one of those people who anything but appreciated Jerusalem. I was blind to its beauty and its vibrancy. I was stressed by its pulsating life. I was pressured by the religiosity of the city.
I needed to get away and I did. Four years ago, being in Jerusalem was the last thing I needed for my spiritual growth. Crazily enough, what I needed was to be in one of the least religious cities in Canada – Vancouver – where I could chill, be part of a laid-back Jewish community, and figure out what I needed for myself.
Today, I view Jerusalem through different eyes. And it’s a place with so much spiritual opportunity… when it’s right for you.
I believe it’s important for each person to figure out where they’re at and what they need (and want). It’s also important to try different things. Someone might have heard amazing things about Shira Chadasha but, in fact, find their comfort in Ramban Shul or Shir Chadash. Someone might have thought they’d spend some time learning Torah in one place but find it’s too much of something they didn’t count on, or didn’t realize wasn’t for them. And then, as hard as it is, it’s time to be open to trying something else. Or if that is too stressful, it might be time to just take a break from trying.
Someone commented on Deb’s post that visiting Israel is really about connecting to our roots and culture. I think that is true except that it does include the spirituality, if that is important to you and if that is what you want.
You just need to be willing to work for it, like anything important in life. It doesn’t just fall in your lap. But it’s there. Really!
So, when you come to Israel, if one of your goals is on the spiritual realm, admit it to yourself and make sure to put some effort into your goals. I wish you to find only good things while on your journey!
Photo by david55king at flickr.
A lot of honesty in there from you, Deena. I went on Aliyah as a 21 year old in 1978. I had grown up in South Africa as part of an on-off-on again Orthodox family, so I was pretty confused about my Judaism growing up. What I was not confused about, though, was my Zionism. I had read all of Leon Uris’ works by the time I had been barmtizvah’d and was adamant that Israel was the place for me to go, as soon as possible. But nothing can quite prepare the new arrival in Israel on the realities of life there. It took a lot of getting used to! And spiritually, particularly when I was in Jerusalem, I found myself searching for G-d and searching for my Jewish roots in the streets and shuks, in the archeological digs, at the Wall, because I figured that as I was in Jerusalem I needed to be religious! Ahhh, the folly of youth! Like you, I had to leave Israel to discover the truer meaning of my spiritual side, to connect to my religion, and how to love Israel and Jerusalem in a real, not imagined way. I will be there next year (G-d willing) and am extremely excited to see the changes after a 20 year absence.
Thanks Yonny! Yes, hopefully we become less confused over time and not more confused. Though I’m not assuming that will happen. : ) You must see Israel if it’s been 20 years. My family moved here in 1990 and things have changed unbelievably in those 19 years.