Thursday, August 1, 2013

The Meaning of One

Congregant Ludwik Kowalski has sent in his thoughts about one of Rabbi Schwartz's recent sermons, and we're happy to share it here on our congregational blog: 

 The question asked by our rabbi, at the end of his July 19th sermon was how to interpret the word "Echod," often translated as "one, oneness, etc." 

This question was answered in different ways by different people. What does the word mean to me? 

There are many religions in the world and their theologians probably describe (and name) God differently. These differences do not mean that we are praying to different Gods. God is one, no matter how people refer to this spiritual entity. Is this a correct interpretation of the word oneness in the English language? If not, then why not?