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Judaism and Spirituality
Shalom Y'all! Welcome to Bluffton Today's first regular column on Judaism.
It may be a surprise to some, but Jews are not new to the South, Bluffton or to the Low
Country. On July 11, 1733, 40 Jews arrived in Savannah chartering Mickve
Israel, America's third oldest synagogue. One hundred years later their
descendants and other Jews did business with Blufftonians. In 1890, Abram
and Moses Patz settled in Bluffton opening Calhoun Street's Planter's Mercantile.
Affectionately known as the "Jew Store," it remained in Jewish ownership and was in
operation until 1972. But only now does Bluffton have the first incorporated Jewish
Congregation. Oseh Shalom's over 350 members are celebrating its first anniversary.
This column will at times explore Jewish history as the experiences of the Jews are linked to
the development of their religion. It will explain Judaism, and help Jews understand their own
traditions, and help our Christian neighbors understand the religion of Jesus, and the roots of
Christianity.
Judaism has roots in what some call the ''Old Testament'' but which Jews call the
Tanach, (Jewish Bible). For the Jews, their covenant made by God at Mount
Sinai, 3500 years ago, has not been obliterated. However reading the Jewish Bible
illustrates that this is not how Jews conduct themselves religiously today. There is no
priesthood, no animal sacrifices, nor thrice yearly pilgrimages to Jerusalem's
Temple. Certainly no Jew is slaughtering a lamb on Passover, and no Jew is
sitting in darkness on the Sabbath nor being stoned for picking up wood. What happened?
In 586 BCE, the Hebrews tribes of Judah and Benjamin were taken into captivity by the
Babylonians. They had no way to worship God. (The other 10 tribes were lost to the
Assyrians, 136 years before). They had no Temple, no sacrifices, and priests could not be
their intercessors. Within time, a new religion developed in Babylon, with Rabbis as
teachers, prayer, and new ways to celebrate Holy days. This was codified into the Talmud,
called Judaism. Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem circa 50 years after their
captivity to rebuild their Temple as Hebrews. Many remained in Babylon establishing
Talmudic Jewish academies and synagogues.
Judaism speaks of a God of forgiveness and love. Followers are to emulate these
traits. The Rabbis abrogated many Hebraic legalisms. Future columns will elucidate this
spiritually centered religion.
(Dr. Arthur Segal, retired from practice in 1996 and moved to Hilton Head. He was ritual chairman at HHI's Temple Beth Yam , and became Scholar in Residence at Congregation Mickve Israel. He received Rabbinic ordination, after years of study, in 2007, and is a member of Oseh Shalom, in Bluffton. He can be reached at DrArthurSegal@AOL.COM to submit questions.)
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