Judaism is different from other religions in one critical way: It has civil laws inextricably tied to spiritual/ritual laws. They are part and parcel, inseparable from the full religious experience. In that way, it is more than a religion, it is a complete individual and social system encompassing every aspect of life.
Lest we, upon hearing this, become concerned that it is a form of totalitarianism, we must understand the core principle that makes Judaism have to be this way. This idea, when put into daily practice, can transform our relationships with our God, ourselves, and each other.
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