I am reading History of the Jewish People and I am finding the creation of the Talmud quite fascinating. The history of the Talmud is taken for granted. I am guilty of this too. The Talmud is this ancient thing, and in history classes we learn about being persecuted, and how all this bad stuff happens to good Jewish people.

What I found truly inspirational are the sacrifices the sages made to protect and to teach the Torah to the next generation. How Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai set events in motion that protected the future of Torah teaching...how Hillel II set up the Jewish calendar pretty much "for all time"...how the Sages moved from city to city setting up Yeshivahs for the purpose of ensuring the future of the Torah and the Jewish people.

While I am sure people find specific Halachah inconvenient - I mean who wants to give up a day of shop therapy on a Saturday for spiritual learning? And who would want to "give up" a cheese burger or Unagi for a life of Kugel and Matzah balls? I wonder if perhaps if we took a few minutes to think about the actions of these Sages and the steps they took for US, we wouldn't be so quick to dismiss our Jewish culture. Then again, in our fast paced, twittering kind of world, I wonder how many people might be willing to make the time to read the History of the Jewish People from cover to cover.

I realize, being in an interfaith relationship, I am somewhat guilty of participating in the "decline" of the Jewish population. I am doing my best to learn and practice the Jewish faith, and I plan on raising our child (Hashem willing) in the same way. I admit, one of the reasons I feel it is so important to have a child is to teach him or her the Torah.

I find it interesting that so many people with children, are letting their kids decide their spiritual fate. They don't want to push the (whisper) "Jewish thing". Part of me feels, what is up with that? It's as if it is so terrible to be Jewish. At least that would be the message I would see. I mean as a kid, given the choice to uhmm, go to Shul and pray for the morning, or hang out and play Wii with your friends, what would you pick? My friends and I HAD to go to Jewish school. It wasn't an option. We went. Period.

If a parent shows passion and excitement for Jewish practice, then that is what their kids will learn. And if you think that is a load of hooey - I have friends who are avid outdoor sports people. I mean AAVIDDD. These are the people who when the baby was old enough, they threw baby in a trailer built of skiing (or biking) and out they went. These are the people who put their kids on skis as soon as they can hold themselves up. and guess what, now these kids are AAAVIIDDD mini-outdoors people.

So back to my previous point - if parents behave with love for Hashem, that is what their children will learn. Sure, there will be some rebellion, especially if they go to a public school for some time, or have non practicing Jewish friends. That is the outside influence. They will however, always have their Jewish home, and their very solid Jewish identity.

Growing up in my parents house left me a bit confused as to how to be Jewish, but you know, forcing me to go to Jewish school...I still had the Jew in me...perhaps a bit dormant, but my Jewish spirit is there and always will be.