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2) "SOME JEWS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS"
Ever meet a Jew who looks down at everyone less religious than him? He can be condescending, judgmental, and turn others off to Judaism.
But, according to the Torah, can we know who is a "good Jew"?
If a terrorist would order the greatest  Rabbi on earth to kill a thief or else be killed, the rabbi is forbidden to murder, even in order to save his life. Why? Isn't the rabbi's life more precious in God's eyes than the life of some criminal?
The Talmud says: "Nobody knows whose blood is redder." No one can judge the worth of another person because no one knows where another person is situated on the ladder of life -- where he began and how many rungs he has climbed. Perhaps the thief, given his life's circumstances, is making greater, more difficult life choices than the finest rabbi.
The best policy is for all of us to stop judging each other and respect each other instead.
3) "RELIGION TAKES THE FUN OUT OF LIFE"
Judaism refers to God as our Father in Heaven.
Just like our parents want us to have everything that is good, the Almighty wants the same for us -- to get as much pleasure as we possibly can!
The word "Torah" means "instruction" because it contains the instructions for life. Computers come with big, fat instruction manuals, and without them we'd be lost. Life's a lot more complicated and if we want to make the most of it, a set of instructions can surely make a difference.
God doesn't ask us to pray because He needs an ego stroke. Or to skip the bacon because it makes Him nauseous. For over three thousand years the Torah has been teaching us how to build a life of meaning and maximize pleasure.
Don't just settle for the banana splits. Make sure you get the premium -- the kind of fulfillment that lasts.
That's what Judaism is here to teach us.
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