What makes Judaism unique is not its philosophy, which is quite unique for a religion, which is IN TRUTH a philosophy, a viewpoint, an understanding upon which actions then conform.

But what IS the philosophy of Judaism?!?

The truth is, I would say, the vast majority of religious Jews, following a beautiful tradition passed down over thousands of years, are completely ignorant, if not almost within contradiction to the assumptions of Judaism’s philosophy.

To understand a philosophy, one must go to the core reason that the actions – for in this case the actions are known, but the philosophy not – were founded!

When we look, as to WHY? God gave Judaism, our sages teach, a number of consistently correlating opinions!

To refine man! – In other words, man by nature becomes egotistical; when he must confine his desires to what another Being says, this shaves off some of his ego! – in fact, the acceptance of Judaism by the Jews at Mount Sinai, was “First we shall obey, and only then understand!” – a core principle in Judaism!

To bring peace to the world! – again, to refine man’s ego – the source of conflict! – for the arrogant person cannot stand, not getting his way, so again, through adherence to a higher being, this shaves arrogance!

Rabbi Saadiah Goal (who was later reincarnated into the Baal Shem Tov) and the Baal Shem Tov state, the purpose of life is, to refine our character traits!

This too, is what the Lubavitcher Rebbes state is the entire purpose of Chassidus, to become a more sensitive soul! Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom – let your email find you!