The God Squad Session 1: Ani Ma’amin: I believe

Session 1: Ani Ma’amin: I Believe

Creating a Personal Theology

-USYers will create a personal theology and determine their current relationship with God. Those that feel doubt or insecurity with the God concept will be able to explore this as well.

-USYers will determine that their relationship with God is an ongoing struggle that changes and evolves through one’s life and is determined by faith and circumstance

Step 1 : From Emet V’emunah Youth guide

Think in your head of a positive or negative experience you’ve had with God. What or when is God to you? What do you believe?

Materials: Pg. 13-14 “I Believe” and pgs 8- 9 (faith interview, use “doubt slip” if not Shabbat)

Were these easy to answer? Did you find yourself wavering between ‘yes’ and ‘no’ for some of them? Do you think these decisions are based on what’s “happened” in your life? Are you confused by some of these statements? Which ones stuck out in your head?

Step 3: Explain theology. People aren’t comfortable talking about God because they feel they may be alone in experiencing doubt or lack of faith. Religion however, gives us space to search, to inquire, to doubt and question. God belief is a spectrum from doubt and fear to absolute unquestioning belief. The Conservative movement’s definition of God is that there is a God but doubt, fear, wondering and questioning is normal. Not having all the answers is what theology is all about - acknowledge your own struggles as evolving.
Step 4: Share your questions and doubts

In partners, perform the “faith interview” of page 9 in Emet V’emunah Youth Guide. Try and be as honest as possible with each other. There are no judgments and no right or wrong answers.

Hand out copies of God Images (PDF attached). Ask USYers what a metaphor is or what it is used for (use metaphors to explain that which cannot be said, a symbol that explains a concept).

What I do as a Jew is because of (rank in order):

1. 
   Family
   
2. 
   Friends
   
3. 
   Community
   
4. 
   Torah
   
5. 
   God
   

Have those 5 stand in a line and have the USYers rank them in order

Something I do that embodies my relationship with God is…

Saying brachot such as Birkat Hamazon suggest we think God is…

More or less of a Shabbat observance means that God is…

Saying Kadish after a loved one’s loss, even if painful implies that…
These responses will change over time. Like a bouncy ball, your relationship with God will bounce up and down. Sometimes, you’ll appreciate the wonders of the world and love God. Other times, you’ll be angry, frustrated and bitter at God. Your relationship with God, like any relationship, is complex. Most of the time, if you have questions or frustrations with someone, you can talk it out. What if God was one of us and you could talk it out?
Ask for 2 volunteers to act out scene from “Oh God,” a movie where George Burns plays a human form of God. The man in the film has a difficult time believing that “God” is communicating with him and present.
(attached PDF)
WEEKDAY – SHOW SCENES FROM THE “OH GOD” DVD
Hand out attached texts of Job and Psalm 136 – Reflection of the complex nature of love and anger for God (its okay to be angry, to doubt, to question, to demand)
Read through the texts. Explain that these texts, the story of Job and Psalm 136 reflect two common images of God- an angry, wrathful, vengeful God that allows (or causes) bad things to happen and a loving, peaceful God we praise with kindness. As humans, we have a complex relationship with God. We blame God when bad things happens to us and say “oh thank God” when good news occurs. What if
If God was one of us, like in this film, and you had God’s email address and could write to God, what would you say?
Shabbat: In partners, pretend you are in email correspondence with God. One person plays your role and the other plays God. Role reverse for the next statement

Weekday- hand out paper and pens and have USYers do a reflective exercise. Write out your responses to yourself

1. 
   It is 1941 and you are in Auschwitz. You are walking toward the gas chambers and raise your hands in the air and say “Why me God?”
   
2. 
   You are a parent who has just learned that your 9 year old has a malignant brain tumor that cannot be operated on. You stare straight ahead and say “what now God?”
   
3. 
   You have just been accepted into your top college. You really didn’t think you had a chance but now…you’re in! You’re so nervous that you don’t think you’ll cut it. You lie awake and night and say “God, what should I do?”
   
4. 
   Your parents are getting a divorce and you’re caught in the middle of it. You’re frustrated and angry but know it will soon be over and normal life will resume. You deal with it by asking God _______
   
5. 
   You are a Jewish refugee and arrive in Israel to begin life anew. You disembark from the plane and say to God _______
   

• 
  How did this feel?
  
• 
  Was it awkward, a bit confusing maybe? Did you struggle to find words to express yourself? Sometimes there are no words for these situations. We use prayer, art, movement…etc. to express ourselves when we just don’t know how else
  
• 
  Can you think of any situations in your life when you’ve questioned ‘why’ or been so thankful and relieved and couldn’t find the words to thank God for it?
  
• 
  Why do you think its so easy for us to blame God when bad things happen but no as easy to be thankful when good occurs?
  
• 
  Do you think people in the above situations did ask God ‘why’?
  
• 
  Was it easier to play the human role or the “god” role? Did “speaking with” God help you understand the situation at all
  

TRY THIS: Next time you’re in a difficult, painful or exciting situation, try this exercise by yourself or with a friend. Try to imagine God’s response when you ask ‘why’ or express gratitude.

Conclusion: Conservative Judaism and God
Hand out Quotes on God:
Do any of these this resonate with any of you? Did your “emails” reflect this?
Humans have a hard time dealing with theology and believing in something that cannot be proven to exist. Jews are no exception. However, we understand that God involves questioning and doubt and our relationship with God will forever evolve and change over time. There’s no one way to approach God and your own feelings of insecurity, doubt or absolute belief are completely normal. As long as you keep thinking about it and grappling with the idea, you will be dealing with God in a very Jewish way.

Quotes on God

2. “God’s existence as it really is, the human mind does not understand and is incapable of grasping or investigating…” – Rambam, Mishneh Torah

b) It is normal and acceptable to have moments of doubt in one’s faith and to ask searching questions about Judaism geneally and about God in particular. One is not supposed to accept beliefs passively on faith – or ignore the subject altogether.

c) Some within the Conservative Movement picture God as a supreme, supernatural being; others understand God to be a presence and power that transcends us but not the universe.

d) for both views, God is evident whenever we look for meaning in the world and when we work for morality and future redemption – Emet V’emunah: Principles on Conservative Judaism

Do you agree with or relate to any of these statements? Did your “emails” reflect this? Is your relationship with God dependent on timing? Circumstance? Fate?

Psalm 136 God as loving and kind

2. O give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

4. To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

5. To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

6. To him who stretched out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

7. To him who made great lights; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

8. The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

9. The moon and the stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

10. To him who struck Egypt in their firstborn; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

11. And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

13. To him who parted the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

14. And made Israel pass through the midst of it; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

15. And overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

16. To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

17. To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

18. And slew great kings; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

19. Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

20. And Og the king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

21. And gave their land for a heritage; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

22. A heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

23. Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures for ever;

24. And has redeemed us from our enemies; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

25. Who gives bread to all flesh; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

26. O give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures for ever.

God as unforgiving and vengeful

6. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

7. And the Lord said to Satan, Where are you coming from? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8. And the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil?

9. Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?

Have not you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are increased in the land.

11. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.

12. And the Lord said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

13. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house;

14. And there came a messenger to Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them;

15. And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.

16. While he was still speaking, another also came, and said, The fire of God has fallen from the sky, and has burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.

17. While he was still speaking, another also came, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.

18. While he was still speaking, another also came, and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house;

19. And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.

20. Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and prostrated himself,

21. And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22. In all this Job did not sin, nor did he lay a reproach on God.

Revealing God/Revealing Ourselves - How God's Revelation at Sinai can Influence Our Personal Revelations.

1. Opening Experience: Is Seeing Believing?
Ask everyone to pair up. Ask them to describe what they see (most will mention physical traits).
Next, ask them what they do not see. They may have difficulty answering this compared to the first question.
2, Discuss the experience:

• 
  Why is it so easy for us to believe only what we see in front of us and not see people on the inside? What we see doesn’t always reflect what’s truly there. Additionally, actuality can be subjective.
  
• 
  How does this relate to the Revelation at Sinai and the receiving of the Torah?
  

8. Sikkum: What do you learn from these texts on presenting the true you and concealing and revealing in connection to God?

Apply to a new concept:

TEXTS on REVELATION: Visible or Invisible – You decide

Where were YOU? Modern and Rabbinic Midrash on the Revelation at Sinai

1. 
   NATURALISTIC: “He makes clouds from the end of the earth. He makes lightening for the rain; He releases the wind from His vaults” (Psalms 135:7)
   

2. 
   ANGRY/VENGEFUL: “The House of Israel and the House of Judah have broken the covenant which I made with their fathers.” Assuredly, thus said the Lord: I am going to bring upon them disaster” (Jeremiah 11:10-11)
   

3. 
   UNJUST: God threatens to destroy all inhabitants of Sdom for their evil acts. Abraham questions God’s justice and bargains with him by asking if he really is going to “bring death upon the innocent as well as the guilty, so that the innocent and guilty fair alike?” (Genesis 18:25)
   

4a. COMPASSIONATE: “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a fitting helper for him” (Genesis 2:8)

6. 
   VISIONARY/ILLUSORY: “The word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision” (Genesis 15:1)
   

7. 
   JEALOUS: “And where are these gods you make for yourself? Let them rise and save you if they can. In your hour of calamity…why do you call on Me to account?” (Jeremiah 2: 28-29).
   

8. 
   DISAPPOINTMENT: “I have resolved to adopt you as My child and I gave you a desirable land – the fairest heritage of all nations; and I thought you would surely call me ‘Father’ and never cease to be loyal to me. Instead, you have broken faith with me.”
   

9. 
   TEACHER OF RESPONSIBILITY: “Your conduct and your acts brought this upon you; this is your bitter punishment” (Jeremiah 4:18).
   

10. 
    POWERLESS: “Oh God, why do you stand aloof, heedless in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1).
    

11. 
    EMTIONAL SUPPORT/PROVIDER: “You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness” (Psalm 30:11).
    

12. UNRELIABLE: How long, O LORD, will You forget me for ever? How long will You hide Your face from me? (Psalm 13:2)

God created the Human in God’s own image…male and female, God created them. (Bereishit 1:27)

• 
  Do we need to tell stories of shared experiences to give us shared roots? What do myths do for a people?
  
• 
  What mythic stories do you know of that give you guidance or teach you lessons?
  

• 
  What about inner qualities? How do we know someone is compassionate? We can’t see qualities and traits, but we can see them manifest in action. Is this similar to God? What kinds of actions are Godly? Does God act through people?
  
• 
  Did Bnai Yisrael really see God or were they divinely inspired at a moment when it was completely necessary? Did God really appear before the people or were a wandering, lost people in search of guidance, inspired by the awesomeness before them?
  

3. Revealing Ourselves: Deut 34: 10 “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face”

Only Moses greets God. He transmits the message to the people.

• 
  How do we choose who truly gets to see us?
  
• 
  Do we share everything we are with everyone like a Hollywood star (Or do we hold back and reveal ourselves only to the most trusted and closest people?
  

4. Just as each person has their own experience of /interpretation of God revealing God's self at Sinai, we all must make our own choices of what we conceal and reveal about ourselves (both emotionally and physically).

Read through attached “traits of God” and with a partner, decide on situations in your life when you have revealed or concealed these traits yourself. When should you have kept these traits inside (concealed) and when should you have let them be seen and vice versa.

Reveal: I should have acted more compassionately toward my sister when she lost her job, as it was probably harder for her than I realized