A Letter to the Non-Believer

By Ashrei (Ima Sari Wisnethal)

Today's culture sees the rationality of the mind as an ultimate goal to achieve and perfect. While being able to engage in rational thinking is a greatly needed and helpful skill, which, these days,  too few truly master - an overemphasis of the importance of rational thinking cultivates a society that places science itself as our new idol. Its worshipers will follow strictly that which the latest scientific study states as true. Not understanding that each study revealed only the smallest glimpse of a much larger reality. Most vulnerable are the depressed and suffering minds, as those who fall into the clutches of deep loneliness and depression tend to become hyper-rational. This makes recovering from mental challenges in our era even harder, as many try to help heal a hyper-rational mind with more rational thinking. We are left wondering  מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי; “From where will come my help?” (Psalm 121:1).

To make things worse, trying to heal a fractured mind with the same type of thinking that plagues it, folds us into an endless loop of ‘science-worshipping.’ This is solidified by our modern day cultures that too often ridicules those who dare live with faith in G-d, the Bible or hold any other spiritual core as their life’s axis. The exception has been the slowly growing acceptance of meditation practices, particularly mindfulness; yet this too was an adoption of a spiritual practice pushed to the forefront of ‘how to be successful and healthy’ by the results published by the scientific community. The exploration of the impact meditative practices have on the human mind, our behaviours and on our health left us with a narrow understanding of what meditation practices are, and a skewed perception of what we should use them for. We neglect to recognize the power that faith, religion and ancient wisdom have over healing ailments of the mind and the soul. 

Those who practise their faith might have a better understanding of how deeply critical the spiritual world’s availability can be, especially when we are challenged with difficult times. Yet, for those who do not believe in G-d, there is a different path into this world, where you can keep not believing what you wish to not believe, while enjoying the benefits of what this spiritual world has to give. 

Consider the following: even if you believe the bible is a fictional story, we can probably agree that the Bible is one of, if not the best story ever told in human history. Even if you do not believe the scripture was written by G-d, and you think it is just crazy to follow some of these religious laws - try keeping the following idea in mind; The Jewish Bible, after all, been told and passed down for thousands of years and is read and known all across the globe. Even the most sceptical of people must admit, this is the most told story, not only around the world, but throughout our world's history. 

Some might say that the extent of a book’s popularity does not change the fact that a fictional story is, at the end of the day, a made-up story. According to this perspective, the conclusion is that the Bible and everything to do with it, is a falsehood, a made up fantasy  - if you are one of those people, consider the fact that the most remarkable fictional stories become so great precisely because they manage to describe universal patterns of human behaviour. Great works of literature mirror back to us our realities, throughout multiple generations, and across different cultures. The greatest literary works help us see ourselves in the bigger context of the world. Furthermore, over the years, studies have found that reading ‘great literature’ helps with developing empathy, improving cognition, and can help alleviate depression, amongst other benefits. Literature that was not characterised as ‘great literature’ did not have the same effect. Hence, even if you do not believe in the Bible as a book of historical nature, you can at least acknowledge that this book must hold in it deeply true life lessons, otherwise, it would not have spread and survived throughout time. 

A great story will have the power to shift your mindset, beliefs, and behaviour. A profoundly epic tale can change your whole life. So whether you believe in the Bible as a fictional or non-fictional story, and whether you believe in G-d as an all-powerful entity that can direct the forces of the universe or not, it is clear that the stories in it contain universal truths that run so deep that they have lasted the test of time. This idea might not make you want to read the Bible or explore its lessons, but perhaps it will entice you to show more respect and appreciation towards those who do choose to dive into the realms of religions.  

Why do so many people choose to read the Bible and follow its words? The magic of repeatedly reading the Bible is found in what it reveals to each one individually; it allows you to reveal a multitude of layers. In them, mirrored back to each one is the exact lesson one needed to hear, in that exact moment in time. We each read the Bible processing its messages through our unique psychology - the good and the bad we are dealing with. Whether you choose to believe in G-d, in the Bible or you choose to not belive in any of it, you can still believe in the power of written words to move you, to inspire you, and to even heal your soul. Much in the way the Israelites declared when they received the Bible “Na’ase Ve’Nishma” (Exodus 24:7), we will do and we will hear; we will read and we will feel. If you do it repeatedly - who knows, maybe the stories of the Bible will touch your soul and even heal.

So why not try reading a few chapters, with a teacher, or by yourself with a book that has commentaries in it? Who know, you might just find the exact words you needed to heal and get to the other side of what ever challenge you are facing now.

Good luck!