At a family gathering in January 2012, hosted at the Stanford Hillel House in Palo Alto, California, I was introduced to Rabbi Lew’s discourse on the comparison of Judaism and Buddhism. Intrigued, I decided to extend my stay to attend his lectures.

Rabbi Lew’s presentation delved beyond conventional religious traditions, exploring the core tenets of Buddhist philosophy and Jewish thought, primarily focusing on the Four Noble Truths. He thoroughly analyzed spirituality and philosophy, shedding light on the essence of existence and the pursuit of nirvana to overcome life’s challenges. According to the Buddha’s Noble Truths, the leading cause of universal suffering is the craving or desire for what one lacks. The following Truths outline ways to alleviate suffering, primarily by releasing desires.

Rabbi Lew shared an anecdote about introducing the First Noble Truth, emphasizing the universality of suffering. He recounted moments when the audience felt relief, expressing a sentiment akin to, “You mean it’s not just us!” This shared recognition revealed how people all over the world have similar experiences that go beyond differences in culture and religion.

Suffering and its Role in Jewish Thought

Rabbi Lew then shifted his focus to Jewish thought, emphasizing the significant role of suffering. He traced this concept to the first Masechet in the Talmud, Berakhot 5B. Rabbi Lew extensively explored this profound theme from various perspectives, asking essential questions: What is the nature of suffering? Is there a purpose in enduring it? And what spiritual insights might be gleaned from it?

In the Talmudic tradition, the Gemara meticulously discusses the subtleties of torment and adversity, covering countless pages without arriving at a conclusive answer. The following narrative offers a moment of clarity:

“Rabbi Yoḥanan’s student, Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, fell ill. Rabbi Yoḥanan entered to visit him and said, ‘Is your suffering dear to you? Do you desire to be ill and afflicted?’ Rabbi Ḥiyya said to him, ‘I welcome neither this suffering nor its reward.’ So Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him, ‘Give me your hand.’ Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba gave him his hand, and Rabbi Yoḥanan stood him up and restored him to health.

Similarly, Rabbi Yoḥanan fell ill. Rabbi Ḥanina entered to visit him and asked, ‘Is your suffering dear to you?’ Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him, ‘I welcome neither this suffering nor its reward.’ Rabbi Ḥanina said to him, ‘Give me your hand.’ He gave him his hand, and Rabbi Ḥanina stood him up and restored him to health.

The Gemara asks, ‘Why did Rabbi Yoḥanan wait for Rabbi Ḥanina to restore him to health? If he could heal his student, let Rabbi Yoḥanan stand himself up.’

The Gemara answers, ‘A prisoner cannot generally free himself from prison but depends on others to release him from his shackles.'”

This Talmudic discussion highlights the Jewish perspective that suffering is a shared experience, often requiring the support and presence of others to overcome it—a stark contrast to Buddhism’s focus on individual release from desires as the path to alleviating suffering.

A Personal Journey: From Zen to Judaism

After the lecture, Rabbi Lew shared an exciting chapter of his life with us during dinner. He had once lived as a carefree Zen Buddhist priest in the lively streets of San Francisco. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he fell deeply in love with his future wife, which led to a significant transformation. This profound shift eventually brought him to embrace the roles of a husband, father, and devout practitioner of Judaism. He chose to step away from the peaceful embrace of Buddhist philosophy and immerse himself in the sacred traditions of his Jewish heritage.

Judaism vs. Buddhism: Diverging Paths to Meaning

In another presentation, Rabbi Lew compared the foundational teachings of Buddhism’s Third and Fourth Noble Truths, which form the basis of the Eightfold Path. This path consists of eight practices to alleviate suffering, including right view, right resolve, right speech, proper conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi.

However, Rabbi Lew challenged the idea that Judaism’s primary goal is to fix suffering. Instead, he explained that Judaism aims to make every moment sacred by connecting with the divine daily. To achieve this, Judaism provides guidelines called halacha, which direct how to live in every moment, based on the Torah and the Oral Torah. These guidelines include 613 mitzvot, or commandments, for leading a righteous life.

He emphasized that in Judaism, “right living” means “bringing holiness to every moment.” While both traditions acknowledge suffering, Judaism’s approach emphasizes sanctifying life itself rather than solely seeking relief from suffering. This profound perspective is reflected in Rabbi Lew’s works, such as “One God Clapping: The Spiritual Path of a Zen Rabbi,” in which he narrates his journey of becoming a compassionate hospice worker and an ordained rabbi overseeing a growing congregation in San Francisco.

His other notable works include “This Is Real, and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation” and “Be Still and Get Going: A Jewish Meditation Practice for Real Life.” Rabbi Lew’s insights continue to inspire readers, offering timeless lessons on engaging with the sacred and navigating life’s challenges, even after his unexpected passing in 2009.

Reflection

Reflecting on Rabbi Lew’s teachings, it becomes evident that his ability to bridge two rich spiritual traditions—Judaism and Buddhism—offered invaluable lessons on the human experience. His legacy continues to guide those seeking meaning and purpose, transcending the boundaries of religious identity. Even after his passing, his wisdom remains a source of comfort and inspiration for those who journey through life, grappling with its inevitable challenges.

Footnote:

1. “Eightfold Path.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/topic/Eightfold-Path.
2. “What is the Talmud?” Chabad.org, www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3347866/jewish/What-Is-the-Talmud.htm.
3. “Gemara: The Essence of the Talmud.” My Jewish Learning, www.myjewishlearning.com/article/gemara-the-essence-of-the-talmud/.
4. “Talmud.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/topic/Talmud.