Judaism Is About Love

I just finished a wonderful class offered by Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder through the Shul of NY. We spent 6 weeks studying Rabbi Shai Held’s marvelous book JUDAISM IS ABOUT LOVE.

Held holds that Judaism is “built on the idea that God loves us and beckons us to love God back.” He aims to “tell the story of Jewish theology, ethics, and spirituality through the lens of love, and therefore to restore the heart — in both senses of the word — of Judaism to its rightful place. Becoming human — is about actualizing the potential for love that is ever-present within us. Created with love, for love, we are tasked with embodying love."

I was surprised to discover a few years back that my tall, born-in-Ireland building manager, Liam McCormack, is a Jew-by-choice. I have been pleased ever since to get him challah and babka from Breads Bakery and wishing him happy holidays throughout the year. Recently Liam told me that he and his family were going to Israel for a wedding. I prayed he would have safe travels.

This Jewish star is a gift Liam brought back from Jerusalem for me.

But the larger gift Liam gave me was to leave prayers for me at the Wailing Wall. I truly believe that his prayers have helped my chronic pain. When I think on this, I cry happy tears.

And so indeed, Judaism IS about love. This is such a sweet example, right? What other examples can you think of?

~ Cathy Cooper