Shavuous is coming tonight. We celebrate the receiving of the Torah and the Ten Commandments, and many will learn throughout the night in preparation for this awesome holiday. On Shavuous we read the Megillas Ruth, which tells the beautiful story of the conversion of the Moabite princess to Judaism.

Learning carries its own seduction. Ruth learned from her mother-in-law and found beauty in the Jewish way of life that when asked to leave by her mother-in-law, Naomi, she responded:

“Do not ask me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; where you live, I shall live; your people are my people; and your G-d is my G-d; where you die, I will die, and there be buried. In this way, may G-d do to me – and more! – if anything but death separates me from you.”

Ruth 1:16-18

There was another convert many years later, Onkelos, who became famous for his learning; his translation of the Torah into Aramaic is found in many printed texts of the Torah to this day. Converting to Judaism was considered an insult to the Roman authorities, and soldiers were sent to carry Onkelos back to Rome. Upon hearing his reasons for changing his life and becoming Jewish. Each group of soldiers, after speaking to Onkelos, decided to stay and study the tradition.

One of the great frustrations of modern Jewish education is that it is often so academic, so dry and without feeling, that it fails to ignite the minds and imaginations of our children. Unlike the soldiers sent after Onkelos, our children come upon an unexciting, predigested Judaism, and it fails to inspire them.

The obstacles are many: Parents do not always support Jewish education, teachers are ill trained and lacking deep subject matter knowledge, stu­dents looking for answers find only set uninspiring lessons. But we should let nothing stand in the way of igniting our minds and the minds of our children with an education of depth and texture. Judaism is not merely a religion, it is a way of life, full of wonder, mystery and warmth. It is an ancient, multifaceted, deep, anguished, joyous encounter with G-d. It embraces religion, culture, community, land, and history. Only if we teach it as such will it be worth learning.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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