Persian Jews: Stop Worshipping the Torah, Start Learning It!
A provocation about reverence, and what real engagement with text actually asks of us and our community.
The Persian Jewish community is known for its deep respect for Torah. In Iran, Jewish identity was reinforced by external factors. Our grandparents followed religious leaders without question.
But here’s the problem: respect for Torah does not equal knowledge of Torah.
Many Persian Jewish parents are hostile to the idea of their children actually studying Torah. A young Persian Jew who expresses interest in learning at a Yeshiva is often met with resistance. Yet these same parents have no problem spending tens of thousands of dollars sending their children to elite universities where they are exposed to atheistic and anti-Jewish philosophies.
This contradiction is staggering. Do we revere the Torah as a holy relic to be kissed and paraded around the synagogue, or as a living, breathing guide for life?
The Cost of Superficial Judaism
When Jewish education is neglected, children fail to grasp the meaning behind traditions. This is why assimilation and intermarriage have skyrocketed. Parents cannot be shocked when their children reject Judaism if they never provided them with a strong enough foundation.
The Old Model Doesn’t Work Anymore
Unlike in Iran, where Jewish life was preserved by its insular nature, today’s society offers endless opportunities for integration and assimilation. Our generation demands rational, meaningful answers:
- Is the Torah true beyond a reasonable doubt?
- Why is marrying Jewish so important?
- What does it actually mean to be Jewish?
Time to Face the Truth
We must stop treating Torah like a family heirloom, precious but unused, and start engaging with it as a source of wisdom and guidance. We need to decide: Are we Persian-Americans who happen to be Jewish, or are we Jewish Persian-Americans? The future of our community depends on the answer.
