I am a woman. My husband is a man. In today’s vernacular; in America’s redefinition of marriage, I am, therefore; in a mixed marriage.
We were also born into loving Christian homes. We have in no way severed ties with our familial heritage. However. There was a man who redefined what it means to be a ‘true Jew.’
Don and I are Jewish.
We look forward to the King of the Jews reigning and ruling from a throne in Jerusalem.
In the Bible (The Complete Jewish Bible) or any version of a Christian Bible, there is the book of Romans. Romans 2:28-29 defines what it means to be a Jew.
There is a bit of discussion on the author of this book. The author does not concern me.
If you are a man, or if you have a son, you know what circumcision is. Many progressive people feel that it is an unnecessary (perhaps cruel) operation preformed on infant boys.
As a woman, I am grateful that I only know of physical circumcision by proxy.
However:
”For the real Jew is not merely Jewish outwardly: true circumcision is not only external and physical. On the contrary, the real Jew is one inwardly; and true circumcision is of the heart, spiritual not literal; so that his praise comes not from other people but from God.“
Romans (Rom) 2:28-29 CJB
https://bible.com/bible/1275/rom.2.28-29.CJB
The cutting away of flesh is painful.
Severing our desires and allowing our hearts to mourn… impossible… unless we are a true Jew.
This mixed marriage?
Truly, a work in progress.
A sometimes painful, war-filled, struggle to be who we are called to be. There is light in darkness and the darkness has, in no way overcome it.