It’s the middle of the night. I’m driving in the middle of nowhere – I mean nothing in sight. I come to an intersection with a red light. What should I do?

The difference between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law is like the difference between the two reasons I can have to follow the traditions of my elders. On the one hand, I can be traditional purely for tradition’ sake, on the other I can to be making my own choices per the situation in which I find myself. Not coincidentally, if those choices are rational, I would not be surprised to find them traditional.

I mean, there’s a reason for the tradition, right? By thinking upon it and knowing myself well, I can understand what that is.

I think we humans too often do things just because that’s the way they’ve always been done, instead of deciding and learning the “why” for ourselves, especially in how we are “religious.” Not all things are as simple as the choice to sit in the middle of nowhere at a red light, waiting for it to change.

Daily Prompt: Traditional

Matthew 15:2 GWT

Q: Why do we wash our hands?


2 thoughts on “Daily Prompt: Traditional

  1. Tradition! I can hear Tevye’s voice boom (Fiddler on the Roof).

    I heard a story once of a young woman questioning a tradition. In the kitchen, watching her mom cut the ends of a roast as she got ready to put it in the oven, the young woman asked, “Why?” Her mom answered, “Hum. I don’t know. Ask your Grandma.” So the young woman went into the living room and asked her Grandma. Her Grandma said, “Hum. We’ve always done it that way. Let me think.” Eventually the Grandma smiled, and said, “I remember my Mother, your GreatGrandma, cutting the end of the roast so it would fit in the small oven we had. I guess it’s a tradition, now.”

    Will the young woman, now that she knows the reason the ends of the roast are trimmed, do her roasts that way? Why?

    I think she will continue the tradition, though perhaps meaningless. Some traditions are harmless, and honor those who’ve gone before us. “Honor your Mother and Father. . .”

    Whether we decide to continue upholding various traditions are choices we make. I agree with you, and the young girl in the story, for if we don’t ask why, we simply follow, blindly, never fully choosing our own way. This is how we, as Americans, have become so deceived by politicians, businesses, and our own “religious” leaders. Take the head of a prominent church who recently stated that there is not suppose to be a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He went on to say that those who suggest such a thing are wrong. Furthermore, he said that his church mediates between people and G-d. Hum. I hope the several billion members of his church will question his words, though I seriously doubt it.

    L-rd Bless, Keep, Shine upon you and yours. . .

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Breaking a tradition just because it is a tradition is not logical.. As you said, it is likely traditions were made because of good and wise decision. Time does change things so careful thought should be given to which traditions should be continued and which cast aside.

    Liked by 1 person

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