Keeping the Ultra Orthodox Shabbas

I must say that I have indeed written a few weeks back (early March) that I no longer feel that our needs are to keep the Shabbas as stringently and as ascetically as the Ultra Orthodox Jewish Communities do. That said, I am glad for personal reasons that for a full one year period I did indeed keep shabbas as well as possible to these standards. I had the Shabbas Shemirath book as a guide which I did consult once in a while. I did indeed rip toilet paper in advance and pre shabbas, I made certain to turn on the lights that I would use on shabbas. Perhaps less ascetically and not by the guidelines, I did in fact leave a few radios on for my own listening acumen. I feel that this was as good as a fellow such as myself with no major religious upbringing as far as Orthodox Customs goes did in this effort. I was even one that used a few music making instruments, though I feel that the mainstay of the orthodox beliefs was a cornerstone during this period. I do not do it today and can not say that I would in the future. In truth, I do not believe this to be pure Torah observance, but it certainly is asceticism and asceticism is a good time for someone who is yet to don the full garments of Orhtodox Learning in my thoughts. I did it and I am glad I did it. I can not say that I would expect a non orthodox jew to go this far, but perhaps in your days you might wish to try this approach to shabbas for say a month or two. It means no television, no cooking, no driving and no electrical changes, computer or the like. I feel that doing so was a contract perhaps that I had with Hashem and that indeed I do feel I was rewarded. My own personal creativity as measured by writing and efforts such as painting was clearly improved during this time frame. In fact, one might argue that some of it including the painting was non existent until this time. So that said, I still happily write and paint, but I do not keep the Ultra Orthodox ways today. Thats ok I think. I can not think that the Ultra Orthodox community will agree that it is the way for everyone and of course that is not my thoughts or intent. But to me today, in a world ruled by non orthodox customs and ways, it means that I can indeed socialize freely among those who are yet to strive for a Torah Ordained way of life and perhaps I can say to these people "you really are not doing that bad at all and you just have to make a few small changes, not the entire Shabbas and not a full scope of synagogue and daily phylacterie and ten thousand other ultra orthodox customs to really live a full Jewish life. For me, I say that one really should wear tzitzis, keep one's head covered, ideally grow one's beard, daven a bit and of course be in the presence of a Mechitza when in prayer and synagogue. Trusting that you can indeed be Torah Observant is not that difficult and it does not require that your entire life be turned upside down. Keep kosher as best as you can for you are not graded on your extreme control of your diet but rather for the thoguth that you put into your dietary decisions and your adherence to at least the basic minimum: no treif, kosher meats, separation of milk and meat and kosher wines of course.
I hope that perhaps this blog will help others who are not yet thinking that an orthodox lifestyle might work for them. Truly our people were given Torah as a Life that we NEED TO ADOPT. It really is not an option. I was reading from Deuteronomy chapter 28 this evening and I must say that this is a crucial read for any orthodox or non orthodox Jew. It goes through the curses that one may indeed find if they do not adhere to the Commandments. This is a fact. The verses depict clearly that if you do not keep ALL of the Commandments, you will indeed be cursed in one way or another. That's probably something to think about. I read it and it is not something to regard as a literal but rather as a true figurative lesson in what a true curse really is. I say this. If you do not keep a commandment or you are negligent or break another commandment and you are a Jew, you will really be cursed. I could see how I was cursed in some of the manners in my lifetime over the years and I am glad to tell you that I personally believe that every curse of Deuteronomy 28 on your Jewish life can in fact be releived and remidied. But that means you must make atonement and you must indeed know and keep all of the commandments. All of them. If you are in violation of one commandment especially if it is one that you particularly know is a commandment, look at your life and look at that chapter and think about those curses in a figurative and perhaps even literal sense. They are real and they are not quasi religious gobbelty gook that really is just in a book that no "busy" person has time to read. Right? I know that the TaNaKh is a very large book and that no one can read it in even a year and retain and understand its concentration. But that said, have it in your lifetime to keep this book at your bedside and read from it periodically. Turn off the television when you are just staring aimlessly at a screen and waiting for the next stimulation from the Boob tube. Pick up TaNaKh and read a little bit. I did. It took me over a dozen or more years to pick it up from the time I was given a copy at age 16. But that said, I must say it has organized my mind and has stimulated my soul. So instead of Television all day and night or instead of worrying about every minute of your occupational existence, give this book its place in your mind and being and keep it close at hand. It really is the cornerstone of Jewish Existence and it really is your job. You are Jewish right? That surely means more than a culinary delight, family experiences and your upbringing. Its a daily experience and there is a True Creator. He is not your ancestor that he does not contribute to your future any further. This is Real Stuff. So read and learn.