This week, I was a guest speaker for Professor Tsong’s “Introduction to Jewish Religion” class at National Taiwan University.
Each semester Professor Tsong invites a rabbi, a priest, and an Imam (not simultaneously; otherwise, it would be the beginning of a joke) to share their valuable knowledge and insight. The professor seeks to educate his students on something evident to you and me, but perhaps not to the ordinary Taiwanese. Namely, both Christianity and Islam evolved from Judaism.
I do not envy the priest or the Imam when they are asked to acknowledge their religion is a rendering of Judaism. But hey, no one, especially religious leaders, should hide from the truth.
Following an enthusiastic talk, including a well-prepared presentation (it helps me and them to stay focused), comes the fascinating part – Q&A.
It is genuinely enjoyable for me to engage with university students who, for the most part, are perplexed about religion, let alone the Jewish faith.This was evidenced by an early question, “Why did you choose to become Jewish?” Followed by, “Can I be Jewish if I wanted to?”
“Ehm, well, no one asked me…” I politely explained that Judaism is a combination of ethnicity and religion. Not many people actually choose to be Jewish and yes, you can also become one, but I would highly recommend you not to… Now that drew laughter!
The enjoyable discussion continued to center on me explaining Judaism doesn’t mean you have to think like me, look like me, or act like me to be ‘spared from purgatory’ or ‘have salvation’ (did I say I don’t envy the other guys?).
After class, I pondered how amazing a mutual learning experience just occurred. We didn’t choose to become Jewish, but we are. And since this is how we are looked upon from the outside, we might as well be a little more Jewish!
Watch our diet, watch our calendar, and watch out – because we are always being watched! 🙂
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shlomi Tabib
