One of the feats that many of us, progressive Jews, have to manage everyday is the paradox of balancing the universal and the particular; our worldliness with our Jewishness. Can both coexist in one person’s head, heart, and actions without twisting one’s personality into an over-baked pretzel?

I am not sure If I have the answer, as I often feel like an over-baked pretzel with extra salt as I attempt to reconcile my roles as Jew, rabbi, and passionate globalist. But, to the extent that you too live in this paradox, please know that I am sympathetic and I can assure you that you are not alone.

Lately, I have had probing conversations with families planning life-cycle ceremonies, parents concerned with educational content, or with individuals plainly sharing stirring thoughts about their own Jewish life paradoxes. These honest examinations of living as a contemporary Jew keep our Judaism and our universalism real and alive.

Caring deeply about something or someone often leads to closer scrutiny of it. Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, a contemporary Jewish progressive sage, once said: “It is OK to be proud of your Denomination as long as you are also sufficiently ashamed of it”. I agree and hence have been feeling deeply grateful for the opportunity to engage in lots of Big Talk of late.

In fact, exactly one month ago during Yom Kippur services we put Judaism on trial. Three congregants stepped up as impromptu Judges while the rest of us laid out a tough case challenging our own tradition. The views expressed were sharp, frank, and heartfelt. A most profound communal discussion ensued.

Well, yes, we found that we could not easily dismiss the charges. Our claims and concerns about our faith seemed to hold a great measure of validity. So we declared our beloved tradition “guilty-as-charged” but in the spirit of the holiday, we forgave her. The air was electrified with authenticity.

Authenticity, joy, camaraderie, and bold embrace of the paradox - fully Jewish? fully human? All in one “pretzel”? - That is precisely the workout that keeps our ancient tradition ever youthful, ever evolving, ever a living entity. Thank God for the paradox of being Jewish.