All around the world, there are at least 14 million Jewish people, and they come from different countries. Judaism, as we know it, is more than just a religion. Jewish people believe that Judaism is a way of life, and every family practices it not only by understanding their beliefs by the book but also by doing good deeds.
Embracing Judaism
In Judaism, religion teaches its believers to live the practices of their church through hand, mind, and heart. Even in family upbringing, Jewish people make it a point to ensure that the Jewish values are instilled at a young age. This way, Jewish parents can ensure that the identity and decision-making of their children align with what they believe in, which is one of the leading reasons why most Jewish families live closely together as well.
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Looking at it in a different angle, religion, in general, helps families build closer bonds and ties together. Through spiritual guidance, parents can teach their children the culture and various house rules. Parents hope their children to maintain these rules even as the children grow older. The role of Judaism is significant in the upbringing of the children. By being consistent in the set of values and principles they live by, families can be made closer and much stronger.
Spirituality Building
Spirituality building is one of the most underrated approaches of parents in family formation. By focusing on and putting one’s faith in the center of a family relationship, children can better practice their beliefs and make sound decisions aligned with their religion.
“Spirituality is linked to many important aspects of human functioning—spiritual people have positive relationships, high self-esteem, are optimistic, and have meaning and purpose in life,” Ryan T. Howell Ph.D. says.
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Another benefit which helps parents improve their parenthood is through the use of spirituality. By acknowledging a higher being in which the family believes in, values formation flourishes. In addition to this, through Judaism, parents can define their biblical derivations and set values and role models for their children to follow. Because of this, children learn how to show reverence and become more obedient to their parents.
Improving Family Relationships
Three of the central values taught in Judaism are respect, sacrifice, and reverence.
- Respect
Judaism consistently teaches honoring one’s parents to its followers. With this, children learn to pay respect as a sign of love. Jewish people believe that when one obeys their parents, they will live a longer and more prosperous life. Through basic teachings like honoring parents, children learn about the value of respect, a vital principle which must be continuously nourished even until a child grows up. In doing so, families learn to see each other as equals, and it will foster healthier relationships with each other. “Gaining your children’s respect doesn’t mean that you have to be a harsh, restrictive ogre. You can be loving, fun, and supportive,” Jim Taylor Ph.D. added.
- Sacrifice
In Judaism, the scriptures teach the children about the different sacrifices and hard work parents put in so that they can provide for their offspring. Unlike other religions, exhibiting the value of sacrifice is very important especially in raising children because, at a young age, it teaches young boys and girls of the worth of different things, which people have to work hard for.
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By teaching the concept of sacrifice, children become more hardworking, and they realize that not all things are free. “Close relationships require sacrifice,” Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. points out. People acquire their needs and wants after they put in work and effort, and these simple values teach a child about determination. When a child learns about the sacrifices of parents for them to acquire their basic daily needs, they learn to value each blessing more, and they grow up to be more thankful people, especially to the people who help them, even those who are not related to them by blood.
- Reverence
Through Judaism, parents can foster the love for God in the family, which is a vital spiritual aspect. By instilling the different Jewish teachings, parents can introduce different stories and lessons which develop young children’s understanding and acceptance for their higher being. In the case of Jewish, it is their respect and reverence for God.
For some families, the concept of religion may or may not matter. It depends on the parents’ upbringing and how they wish to raise their children. Regardless, we must respect the different views of parents about religion as a vital point in a person’s childhood.
In deciding on how to bring up children, it is essential to take note of the different pros and cons that may be involved in the process. In the context of Judaism, it can bring a lot of positivity and benefits for a family. By considering to adopt and take in some religious concepts and values from the Judaism religion, there is a more likely chance for families to develop a closer relationship which revolves around God and finds the basis on the same set of culture, values, ethnicity, and lifestyle.
Through the teachings of Judaism, families can be made more faithful with each other through their strong anchor, God.