Losing my Religion

First, I am not losing my religion. So don’t worry.

But I think R.E.M. wrote the greatest title. It does say a lot.

At times you wonder if you are losing it or getting lost in it? At least I do. But how do you document real life? When real life is getting more like fiction each day. I wish I wrote that. But we all know Jonathan Larson did. May he RIP.

Time to talk religion. Those of you, who actually read this blog, might have read some of my pieces that discuss religion.

Am I perfect? No. Will I ever be? No.

Let’s see, I go to services almost daily. I haven’t missed putting Teffilin on in many years. I read the Tehillim. I may not read the right one for that day of the week. But they are all inspiring. I’ve been studying The Tanya for a while. It is a great read. It is very deep and informative. It makes me ask a lot of questions. I am always trying to get a better understanding. I even read the daily portion on my iPhone. The other day, I was running on the treadmill and reading it.

Yes, there are times when I am wondering why I do this? But then I see some signs from HaShem. No, he didn’t text me or friend me on Facebook. I wish that were the case. Don’t we all? But there are so many things that may be ordinary or extraordinary that happens and I just know HaShem has put this into play. Do I like them all? No.
I try to eat the right way. In many ways, I am lucky. I’ve never liked shellfish or cheeseburgers. I’ve tried and love other foods that are not appropriate for my religion. I stay away.

I think the spirituality of my religion has a lock on me. I am not sure where I got this part of me? Although I am willing to bet it may have been from playing Meteu, the medicine man in the BSA’s Order of the Arrow ceremonies. Who knows? I know there are other reasons. I don’t mean my countless rituals at the Stadium. But those help me.
Anyway, what I love about the teachings are the acts of kindness and trying to help other people to the best of your abilities. I know we have the daily rituals, praying three times a day, washing hands before we eat bread (I am so proud we have that), and many other things.

Sometimes I question if we could get closer to the Torah not by worrying so much if we did all of those things. But lived less critically and did more to help others.
I used to play the clothes game. My friends and I would see who could out price each other with what we were wearing. I rarely lost. I haven’t played this in nearly 10 years. I am sure I’d still win. But does it matter? No.
There is so much more to us than that. There are too many people that I’ve met that forget this.

I wonder how “really” religious they are? All they seem to worry about is following everything to the letter. They’ve been way too critical of people who do not.
I don’t think that’s what religion especially mine should be about. I’ve been told because my parents are divorced, I’ve been to Broadway shows, seen Elton John and surf the web, I am the one holding us back from what we all dream of: The reconstructed Jerusalem.

Funny, I surf the web and are often studying Torah on it. Ok add in the Yankees, music, the market and buying stuff. Some people have told me the Internet is the new forbidden fruit and it should be banned. They should take the blinders off. As for Broadway, my musical and sports loves, I’ve heard I am sinning because I am seeing people play or perform who are not of my religion.
Like get a life. Maybe if you were more mature and more worried about whether people our own or others have food, an education and the other basic needs we ‘d be better off.

I am so lucky. I have people that are not wearing blinders. They can explain things to me the right way. Some live about a block away. I wish the others did. But they are always there when I need them. Oh and they all can make the most amazing Shabbat meals.

So am my losing my religion or finding it? And finding the way to understand it better and do more? The answer is obvious. My goals are to do more.

B”H

No Day But Today: The fire's out anyway

No Day But Today

Yesterday was the 16th anniversary of the death of Jonathan Larson, the world’s greatest playwright. I found that out at around 5:00 p.m. “I can’t believe his gone. He taught us how to love,” Tom Collins in reference to Angel. Jonathan Larson taught us all so much with his magical writing. I think he gave us hope.

Around 11:00 a.m. I got off the phone with Telecharge and was informed a seat was available at New World Stages to use my pass dated Rent ticket. I’ve seen the show both on and off-Broadway countless times. I own the movie. I’ve met Idina Menzel. I am sure I’ll see it again soon.

Yeah, I’m a Rent head. Every time I listen to or see it I learn something new. Very few things do that to me. Star Wars and Kevin Smith movies featuring, Jay and Silent Bob do. I have a tendency to think about these learned pieces of entertainment quite a bit.

Larson’s Tick Tick Boom so sets the scene. I loved that show, too. It is the the “pre-Rent”. Larson used to perform it himself. I was not lucky enough to see it. I saw it during the summer of 2001. It featured three great actors.

I’ve been lucky enough to sit and drink beer at the table, where Larson wrote the plays at in the Life Café. Yeah, I should have had wine, too. Then I could have had “Wine and Beer… Viva la Vie Boheme”. I’ll do that soon.

The story Rent tells and the family created in show is amazing. I’ve met so many people in my life who resemble someone from Rent. I totally identify with Mark.

“But who Mark are you? Mark is got his work? They say Mark lives for his work And Mark's in love with his work Mark hides in his work,” Roger.

The lines go on to discuss how Mark longs for a community of his own. I’m sure you know the rest.

Well, yeah, I think we all long for a community of our own. I have many communities. All are unique. I love them all. Sometime I’m not sure if I should just stick with one. However, I feel you are so much better off with a wide community. It is much richer learning and life experience. Perhaps, that’s why I’m the one of us to survive.