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Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Miscellaneous and References (11/12)
Previous Document: ORGANIZATION
Next Document: Question 19.2: Why is "shabbat" spelled sometimes shabbath, shabbath, shabbos, shabbes?
Question 19.1: I want to become more observant. Where do I start?
Answer:
Coming from a background of nothing, the best thing you can do first
is to find someone who is already observant with whom you are
comfortable and discuss the issues involved.
Join a directed study group designed for "Baalei Tshuva". It is
impossible to be a practicing Jew (of any type) without the knowledge
of what you are practicing. There are groups within many communities
which are set up to do this. Examples include Chabad Lubavitch, Aish
Hatorah seminars, and NCSY youth groups. Non-Orthodox Jews also do
outreach, but in common parlance, baal teshuvah refers to someone who
adopts Orthodox Judaism.
The best advice is often to go slowly, decide what you are going to
do, and don't let difficulties with particular levels of observance
cause you to drop the whole matter. Find a sympathetic rabbi who will
help and advise you. Avoid the "All or Nothing" syndrome.
Most of all remember that you are not alone. If you scan the list of
mailing lists in [5]Section 20.3, you'll even discover there are
numerous Baal Teshuva electronic mailing lists (there is at least one
on Shamash).
Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Miscellaneous and References (11/12)
Previous Document: ORGANIZATION
Next Document: Question 19.2: Why is "shabbat" spelled sometimes shabbath, shabbath, shabbos, shabbes?
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Last Update October 22 2009 @ 05:26 AM