Hi,

I’m sure you’ve done it.

Played Jewish geography!

You meet another Jew for the first time?

And before you know it, you’re related!

Or at least know someone that they know.

Sometimes you meet a fellow Jew.  They look familiar.

You know you’ve seen them before.  But you just can’t place it.

If all else fails?

You met at Mount Sinai!

We all stood together at Mount Sinai and received the Torah.

… There’s a Hebrew term for someone who was not religiously observant.

And later in life began learning more.  And decided to try to live according to the Torah.

A Baal Teshuvah.

Literally?

One who has returned.

Which raises a question.

It may have been true in the old days.

When most Jews observed the Torah.

And if someone drifted away?  Then came back?

They were returning!

But today?  In America?

How can the typical Jew be described as returning.

They were never there!

… The answer?

They were there.

At Mount Sinai!

It’s true of every Jew.  No matter what our background.

Anytime we feel like growing Jewishly?

Like learning Hebrew.  Studying more Torah.  Trying to make Shabbat special.

Or maybe working on staying away from loshon horah.  Gossip?     

And we feel discouraged.  Overwhelmed.

We shouldn’t.

Because we’ve been there before!

It’s like riding a bicycle.

You may get a little rusty.

But it comes back to you! 

… Sunday night through Tuesday is the holiday of Shavuot.

The anniversary of us standing at Mount Sinai.

And it’s the perfect time for a commitment for Jewish growth!

… If we still haven’t met?

Maybe you’re just afraid of Rabbis!

They can sometimes be scary.

Although I promise I’m not!

(References upon request!)

In the meantime?

Here’s an amazing opportunity for Jewish growth without a Rabbi!

CTN’s Monday Night One on One Learning.

Click here for more details.  http://torahnetwork.org/one-on-one.htm

All the best,