Question: My mother was Jewish but not my father. My daughter has married a nice Jewish young man and she has embraced the Jewish faith.  She tells me that I am Jewish by birth and that I should practice my faith. Its hard for me to explain that I didn’t even learn that my mother was Jewish until I was in my late teens. Im now 52 and really don’t know what to do about this situation. My daughter feels that I would be happier if I practiced the faith I was born to.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer: Thank you for writing to us! Around 1900 years ago, the leading Rabbi of the generation was Rabbi Akiva. He is often quoted in the Talmud, and was one of the greatest Rabbis who ever lived. The Talmud tells us the story of how he came to this greatness, and begins by saying that until he was 40 years old, he didn’t even know how to read. However, he saw a stone with a hole in it, with water dripping on it. He realized that the water must have been dripping for a while upon the stone, and that eventually it made a hole straight through the rock. He realized that if that happened, it is never too late, and so he started to study with the small children, and learned how to read, when he was 40 years old. Fourteen years later, he was a Rabbi teaching 24,000 students, all the greatest scholars of his age.

It is never too late for you to learn more about your heritage. There are many great websites, such as this one, that you can read. You can also adopt Jewish practices, such as celebrating Jewish holidays, praying (even in English), wearing Tefillin, Tallis, celebrating the Sabbath, studying the Torah traditions, and attending synagogue. You don’t have to know anything to start learning.  Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. I am happy to be of service.

May God bless you and guide you on your journey.

Rabbi Joseph Kolakowski