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2023-02-25 23:29 EST

I was thinking today about faith, and specifically the very different ways that Judaism and Christianity conceptualize faith. In Christianty, faith is rooted in certainty. The kind of "I know God is there and will help me get through things" kind of idea. This is also reflected in the various creeds and prayers and hymns. "I believe in one God," etc. etc.

As I learn more about Judaism the more I am struck by how different faith looks. If Christianity's faith is rooted in certainty, Judaism's is rooted in uncertainty. The story of Jacob wrestling with God leading to his name being changed to Israel is a perfect example. The Jewish relationship with God is to struggle with divinity. I was in class with a rabbi a month or so ago who said that he probably only believes in God every other day, but he can't escape the notion. He's not certain of God's existence, but he is never certain that God doesn't exist either.

Which is a greater statement of faith: knowing that someone will do well and giving them a job, or not knowing that someone will do well and still giving them the job? If we treat the world like we know it, we are never challenged, and we never grow.

Tags: Christianity • Judaism • religion