Yeshiva

Saturday, July 10, 2010 - Last week a fire lit inside me to start looking for schools to go back to and start officially studying Theology. Part of any Theology program will involve learning Hebrew - which I want to learn anyhow because of my lineage, not to mention ultimately being able to read the OT in its original language. But what better place to start than here in Israel? I found a small number of somewhat unappealing options. But Ana, my helper and inspirer, kindled the fire lit inside me. She found a list of places for me to look into. She sent me a list of several valid options, but for some reason, one in particular stood out: The Conservative Yeshiva of Jerusalem.

The ironic thing is that of all my options, this would easily be the hardest to get into: not only for academic reasons, but also for philosophical differences. A Yeshiva is where Jewish students go to become ordained Rabbis. Or in other words, Yeshiva is to Judaism as Seminary is to Christianity. Though I'm Jewish by lineage, I align with Christian Philosophy. That typically ain't want the Yeshiva's looking for!

But something stuck out about it. I set out to apply for it. There was a relatively lengthy application process (relative to my other options), which included an essay on my Religious Beliefs. In this, I used blunt honesty to politely make known where I am in faith, yet my fascination in Judaism and humble desire to learn more about it.

Dialogue I

A couple days after I submitted my application, I received an e-mail response from the Yeshiva. They asked if I could meet with them face-to-face. I found this intriguing. "Don't they usually just accept or deny people?", I thought.. But in any case, I welcomed the opportunity and set a meeting for Wednesday.

Dialogue II

The following day, I got another response back from them, informing me the names of the 2 Rabbis I'd be meeting with. I found this intriguing. I looked up their website to see if they had any information on these two Rabbis and of course, they do. Rabbi #1: The director of the Yeshiva. Rabbi #2: The associate director of the Yeshiva. "Good grief, what have I done?!", I thought.. Indeed, this is intriguing. But in any case, I confirmed the appointment and obsessed about it for 2 days. Because, why, meeting? Why, director? And why, associate director?

Dialogue III

I arrived to the Yeshiva on Wednesday, about 30 minutes early (I found the place faster than I thought). The receptionist confirmed it'd be fine to start early and sent me back. I was greeted by another person, younger, who showed me back to the director's office. I was greeted by the Director/head Rabbi, a man about my size in his 60s or so; short, white, thinning hair - he was quite funny.

We began chatting, he wanted to know more about my upbringing and personal life. The interview ended up lasting about an hour and a half, and the conversation slowly and frankly progressed exactly toward the only possible reason I could conjure up in my head prior to the interview: If I'm a Christian, what exactly am I doing here? Am I going to start shoving Jesus down everyone's throats (so to speak) and try and convert everyone I see?

I have somewhat strong sentiments toward this - especially regarding the Jewish people. I think the fact of what's happened to the Jewish people over the past 2000 years in the name of "Christianity" is unfortunately left pretty silent. Ana and I have seen remains of much of it throughout Europe. Forced conversions (unwilling baptisms, torture, murder), massacres, holocausts, and constant attempts to proselytise ran rampant over the past 2 millenia, the latter of which continues today. I'll be the first to admit that these acts are absolute contradictory representations of Christianity; but no matter, I think after 2000 years of it, the Jews have had enough of Christians trying to convert them. I don't think they want to hear it anymore.

No, I told the director - I'm not here to try and convert anyone. Rather, on the contrary, I am here to learn from them - not the other way around. I also told him I believed that Christianity is nothing without Judaism. He interpreted this intersting, and asked me an interesting question in response.. "You say Christianity doesn't make sense without Judaism. Do you think Judaism makes sense without Christianity?" I realized then that perhaps my statement alone assumed a triumphant attitude toward Judaism. I of course affirmed his question, but the interview took a slightly awkward turn from that point on. He ended by saying "Well, I thank you for your time. I wish you a huge Mazel-Tov and peace in your spiritual journey, and a spiritually peaceful lifetime." I thanked him and he cut back in - "I mean, assuming we don't speak again, that is." "Crap." I thought. Nice knowin' ya..

Dialogue IV
I woke up the next morning with about 6 e-mails from the Yeshiva, most of which were instructing me on the schedule of my classes, opening orientation, items I needed to complete before I come to class, etc. Could it be? A Rabbinical Ordination school has accepted a Christian? Indeed, they have. How intriguing.

Inner Dialogue I
I felt a weight on me as soon as I realized they'd accepted me. This will be an academic environment unlike I've ever experienced, and one somewhat opposed to my philosophy in general. This will be a fantastic test of my faith. I expect myself to more or less keep my mouth shut unless asked otherwise. I expect the erroneous fat of my logic to be trimmed. What will be left afterwards will either be a shining, refined, solid foundation of logic, or else an empty shell of fallacy. I begin this Sunday (July 17). What an opportunity!