Chapter 1: Introduction to Jewish Values

"The beauty of the Torah is akin to a stunning princess discreetly appearing at her window. Only the devoted admirer will truly see her."

— ZOHAR, The Book of Lights (Kabbalah)

"Judaism serves as a portable suitcase designed to safeguard the culture, principles, laws, ethics, history, traditions, language, aspirations, and spiritual connections of the dispersed nation of Judea."

— Rudy Rochman, Columbia University

Through the perspective of a Jewish doctor, I observe that essential aspects of Jewish community life often get overlooked. Thus, I wish to share my interpretation of the core values within Judaism. Despite not adhering strictly to the religious practices laid out by rabbis, I remain deeply attuned to the teachings of the Bible, much like other secular Jews such as Herzl, Weizman, Ben Gurion, Chagall, and Einstein.

I have not immersed myself in Jewish texts extensively, which grants me a fresh perspective when interpreting them and allows me to offer insights without preconceived notions.

My forthcoming thoughts are not intended to undermine the cherished beliefs held by many, for which countless individuals have sacrificed greatly, even their lives. Instead, the purpose of this reflection is to initiate a constructive dialogue with those interested in the Jewish community and its contributions to humanity, including Orthodox Jews, aiming to inspire new ideas rooted in biblical teachings. I particularly think of the youth, who often feel torn between the anxiety of modern life and a religious practice that seems out of sync with contemporary society.

Interestingly, I found support for my reflections—potentially controversial to the rabbinical establishment—in a book by former French Jewish representative center (CRIF) president, M. Theo Klein: "Free the Torah." Some of his ideas align closely with my own, though he primarily focuses on legal and justice aspects of the Torah. My aim is to uncover essential messages within the Torah while considering modern scientific and historical knowledge, which is readily available for those seeking innovative thoughts about a culture and people encapsulated in the great message of the Torah.

Recently, I discovered through a popular science author, Jose dos Santos, that the 14 billion years since the Big Bang equate to six days in our time frame. This is due to the universe's expansion not occurring faster than the speed of light, leading to significant time dilation as described by Einstein's theory of relativity. Thus, even the account of the first six days of creation holds more than just a fairy tale.

The Jewish people's primary role is to transmit a message from generation to generation, earning them the moniker: "People of the Book."

A notable observation is that the message has been adapted, albeit in modified forms, by various religions and philosophies. Unfortunately, the daily realities faced by Jews often starkly contrast the message they strive to convey. Even more disheartening is the fact that those who have adopted these messages sometimes perpetuate harassment and oppression towards the Jewish community. It seems that anti-Semitism stems from disillusionment, with individuals failing to recognize the humanity in everyday Jews, who embody both virtues and flaws, instead projecting idealized images of martyrs, saints, and deities upon them (were not Jesus and Mother Mary ordinary Jews?).

What messages were conveyed, and what methods were employed to disseminate them? These are the inquiries I will explore in this reflection. Before diving deeper, I will first revisit a few fundamental principles of physics (specifically, Fourier's principle in wave mechanics) which state:

"Every complex wave can be expressed as the sum of simpler individual waves." For instance, a three-note piano chord can be perceived as either a chord or as distinct notes. Similarly, a word can be recognized within a combination of sounds.

Another principle indicates that regardless of the medium a wave traverses, it retains all its properties. Whether it involves matter or energy (like radio waves), the wave's characteristics remain unchanged.

In simpler terms, music—whether sung, played, or recorded on vinyl, magnetic, or digital formats—will evoke a consistent response in the listener's ear. When it reaches their mind, it elicits the same emotional reaction.

To clarify, regardless of the quality of paper or the design of a book, the message conveyed remains unchanged.

Without engaging in a debate over the divine origins of the Torah or the significance of understanding its laws, it is crucial to highlight that an open-minded reading of the Bible reveals a wealth of common sense when viewed from historical and scientific perspectives.

My intention is not to challenge the concept of "God" and its laws, or "the messenger" and his teachings, but to emphasize essential values and draw conclusions based on universally accessible elements found within the Bible.

Chapter 2: The Core Message

In "Arguing Jewishly Part 1: From Kvetch (Complaint) to Community," the video delves into the complexities of Jewish identity and community dynamics. It explores how complaints can lead to a deeper sense of belonging and understanding within the Jewish community.

Chapter 3: Personal Reflections and Insights

"Stranger In My Own Land: Palestine, Israel, and One Family's Story of Home with Fida Jiryis" presents a poignant narrative that intertwines personal history with broader socio-political themes, highlighting the multifaceted experiences of identity and belonging.