B”H
11 Menachem Ave, 1973
Brooklyn, New York
Greetings and blessings!
I received his letter (undated), in which he writes that he cannot define himself as Jewish, despite having been born to a Jewish mother, and ends with three questions:
1) How can a person be considered as related to religion, when they say that they do not believe in the existence of God?
2) In his view, Judaism lacks the element of free will, since a child born to a Jewish mother is automatically Jewish.
3) How can one free oneself from Judaism?
And he asks for a quick response.
The answer to the three questions is a single one, by way of introduction:
The Jewish religion is unlike other religions in one fundamental aspect: it is not based solely on thought and word, but on concrete action, and it encompasses the entire life of the Jew from the first moment of his birth (or conversion of the non-Jew, a conversion according to halakha – Jewish law) to the last moment of his life in this world.
And the foundation and reason for this is because the Jewish religion is not something added to the essence of man, but rather that very essence is the essence of man.
Based on the above, the answer to all your questions will be understood.
Whoever is born human, or animal, or plant, cannot change this, and a declaration on their part that they are not a human being, or that they are not an animal or a plant, will not help, even if they add and declare that they deny their own existence or the existence of the human species, etc. It is understood that free will has no meaning in this, because free will was given to human beings regarding their behavior in action, word, and thought, but not to change their own essence.
Another point to add to what has been mentioned: although humankind was given free will regarding its behavior and path in life, as previously stated, given that its essence is fixed and absolute, it is simply understood that the more one strives to align their behavior with their essence, the more peace will grow in their soul, and the more joy and spiritual tranquility will increase, upon which the tranquility of the body also depends. However, the Creator of humankind intended free will in this aspect (as mentioned, regarding behavior) so that they could bring their abilities and possibilities from potential to reality, to show that He was not mistaken about their essence, that they are not daunted by the difficulties and trials they sometimes encounter, and also that the very purpose of these trials is to show that they are wise and understanding. And furthermore, and also fundamentally, that they are not ashamed of those who mock them.
I understand that there are those who dispute everything mentioned, but the intention of my letter is not to argue. However, on the other hand, my obligation, and also my merit, is to tell the truth as I see it, without any doubt.
May it be God's will that he use his time, abilities, and all his resources to align his daily behavior with his soul, which is, as the well-known saying goes, "a portion of God on high, literally." And as our sages of blessed memory said, nothing can oppose the will.
With blessings for good news in all that has been mentioned.