- Reform Jews are committed to a Judaism that changes and adapts to the needs of the day
- Reform Jews are committed to the absolute equality of women in all areas of Jewish life
- Reform Jews are committed to social justice
- Reform Jews are committed to the principle of inclusion, not exclusion
- Reform Jews are committed to a true partnership between the rabbinate and the laity
The answer is simple. I knew in my little girl heart there was more then one god. That there must be a female element as well and male element to follow. That it must be whole system of deities then just the single one. I knew they had an image; I knew they had a voice and I knew they must have a name. Nobody told me I had a creative power to know there was more then one god. I knew that out of one of the 10 commandments did say " thou shall not idolatry" Come on! I was raised in reformed Judaism. It was always adapting to the everyday world. I knew there was a reason why Moses smash those other commandments. God needed a realty check. Yes when he came back he saw the people had gone to Idolatry. Heck It's the torah we're talking about there are so many other books written about god and his million names. In many cultures and languages. In the same time period. If god granted me curiosity to know more about his and her million names and faces. Then so it shall be. I'm going hunting for the gods
I was introduce to paganism, a gate way to the wonders that is magic,independence and love for the earth. some of the things in paganism were allot like the types of worship I've witness in Judaism. To the many holidays, the tools,the books and connection to a higher power. They even had they're own star of protection called the pentacle or pentagram. it was a 5 point star then a 6 point star. mind you not every pagan wears this symbol. but acknowledges it. it even has it's own system. earth,air,fire and water. Some say the top is the spirit or the deities. I'm still learning about the path or the craft they call it. But I knew I couldn't go back. But I wasn't going to abandon the relgion I grew up with. it made me what I am. I know enough about Judaism that can move on to paganism. I feel it is a perfect fit. that I finally found gods other half and it's a girl. I knew all these years she existed. I just just had find. I also knew god himself had many brothers and faces. Not only do they they have partners they themselves. Are parents to to they're own sons and daughters. We also are they're children. As it was meant and taught to me. Paganism has drawn me closer to the gods. I knew they lived and where waiting for me. I was meant to be a witch and maybe still a Jew.
I also found I wasn't only one who thought so, mind you. others have different stories. Like leaving they're faiths they were born into. To find a religion that allows them freedom,peace and enlightenment. i know they're feelings. There was also that nasty accusation of hell that we will be tossed into if we go down the path of paganism. That we were damned. This is nonsense, we are children of the gods. they wouldn't allow they're children to suffer. We already have hell on earth. So much that I doubt there is a hell you go too when your time has come. I was told when I was younger and still full fledged Jewish that I was going to hell for killing Jesus. Now I wasn't told about sins. but I knew it must have been a total sin to talk for god.
Now I consider myself pagan, my brother does; my sister does and my friends do too. Let's end on a good note and recite the wiccan rede...
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
