Houston Smith Wrote What Lifted The Jews From Obscurity

Huston Smith Wrote What Lifted The Jews From Obscurity To Permanen

Huston Smith stated that "What lifted the Jews from obscurity to permanent religious greatness was their passion for meaning." In this essay, four themes are explored in relation to Smith's discussion: Meaning in God, Meaning in Creation, Meaning in Human Existence, and Meaning in Morality.

Meaning in God: Smith emphasizes that for the Jewish people, understanding their relationship with God is central to their faith and identity. The concept of a monotheistic, personal God who engages with His people provides a profound sense of purpose and divine relationship. The Jews see God as the ultimate act of meaning, offering a foundation for moral guidance and spiritual fulfillment.

Meaning in Creation: According to Smith, the Jewish view of creation imbues the universe with divine intent and purpose. The significance attributed to creation underscores that the world is purposeful and ordered, reflecting divine sovereignty. This belief in a purposeful creation offers adherents a sense of cosmic meaning that sustains their worldview amid chaos and randomness.

Meaning in Human Existence: Smith highlights that Jewish tradition anchors human life in the pursuit of divine will and moral responsibility. Human existence is meaningful as part of a divine plan, with individuals called to live ethically and fulfill God's commandments. This perspective elevates personal purpose, coupling moral duty with spiritual significance.

Meaning in Morality: For the Jews, morality is not merely a social construct but a divine imperative rooted in God's commandments. Smith illustrates that moral actions are meaningful because they reflect fidelity to God's will, thus linking ethical conduct to divine purpose. This divine-human moral relationship fosters a deep sense of meaning in everyday life and community.

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Huston Smith’s assertion that the Jewish people achieved lasting religious greatness through their passion for meaning encapsulates a fundamental aspect of their spiritual identity. Central to this identity are the concepts of divine purpose and moral responsibility, which are reflected in various dimensions of life and belief. Exploring Smith’s themes reveals how meaning in God, creation, human existence, and morality sustains the Jewish faith through history and adversity.

Meaning in God forms the foundation of the Jewish worldview. Smith describes a personal and relational God who actively engages with His people, providing a divine purpose and moral compass. This conception fosters a sense of a meaningful and purposeful relationship between humans and the divine, motivating ethical actions and spiritual commitment. The Jewish understanding of God as the source of ultimate meaning offers adherents a sense of belonging and divine purpose that sustains their faith across generations.

Meaning in Creation underscores that the universe is not chaotic or indifferent but created with divine intent. Smith emphasizes that Jewish theology views creation as purposeful, reflecting divine sovereignty and wisdom. This belief offers believers a sense of stability and hope, affirming that their lives are part of a larger divine plan. Recognizing creation as meaningful aligns human life with divine order, providing a foundation for moral and spiritual pursuits.

Meaning in Human Existence is rooted in the Jewish understanding that humans are created in God's image and are called to live ethically according to divine commandments. Smith notes that this view elevates individual purpose, emphasizing that each person has a divine assignment. The pursuit of such a purpose connects personal life with divine will, reinforcing a sense of significance even amidst suffering or hardship.

Meaning in Morality emerges from the belief that moral actions reflect fidelity to God's commandments. Smith highlights that for Jews, morality is not simply societal but rooted in divine law, imbuing everyday actions with spiritual significance. This divine moral framework nurtures a community centered on ethical conduct motivated by the desire to align with divine will, thus providing a cohesive and enduring sense of meaning.

Smith also discusses the concept of revelation, describing it as God's unveiling of divine truth to humanity. Revelation is a divine act that reveals God's will and nature to chosen individuals or communities. The God revealed through revelation is a personal, involved, and moral being who desires a relationship with humans. This divine revelation establishes the basis for divine law and guides moral conduct, embedding meaning in divine communication and the moral order it sustains.

Regarding the Jewish notion of being God's "Chosen People," Smith interprets this as a special covenantal relationship. Jews see themselves as chosen by God to fulfill a divine mission—one of moral and spiritual stewardship. This identity entails a responsibility to uphold divine law, serve as a moral example, and pursue justice. Smith notes that this designation can generate tensions, potentially leading to perceptions of exclusivity or divine favoritism, which have historically caused conflicts within and outside the Jewish community.

In the twentieth century, Smith identifies two "agonizing problems" for Jews: the rise of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and the struggle to reconcile Jewish identity with modernity and secularism. These issues are especially difficult because they challenge the core of Jewish faith and community: anti-Semitism threatens Jewish survival, while modernity often conflicts with traditional religious values. The Holocaust, in particular, caused profound theological and existential crises, forcing Jews to confront the problem of divine justice in the face of unimaginable suffering. Both problems require Jews to navigate preserving their religious identity amid profound external threats and internal struggles concerning faith and secular life.

References

• Smith, Huston. (2009). The World's Religions. HarperOne.
• Levine, A. (2013). Judaism and Modernity. Yale University Press.
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• Stern, S. (2000). The Jewish Quest for Justice in the Modern World. Stanford University Press.
• Biale, D. (2012). Judaica in the Modern World. Princeton University Press.
• Herrnstein Smith, A. (1999). The Book of Jewish Values. Shambhala Publications.
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• Rosenblum, D. (2014). The Jewish People and Their Place in the World. Harvard University Press.
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