Although Judaism is usually a considered a “religion”, it is really more a label for the various beliefs, traditions, and practices of a (once “Chosen” – and thus repeatedly resented and rejected) “People”, who were once a distinct related and recognizable ethnic group, but who sometimes seem to (believe and/or behave like they) have little in common (with each other). While there are (and have always been) MANY different “branches”, “sects”, and “traditions” based upon (religious and political) upbringing, education, and belief, the Jews of the world are often divided into 3 geographic categories: “Mizrachi“.”Ashkenazi“, and “Sephardi“.

These geographical divisions, in some ways, could be thought of almost like different “ethnic” or “racial” groups – often with corresponding prejudice and discrimination between them, rather focusing on their common ancestry, beliefs, or practices. This is on top of other religious, philosophical, ideological, political, and economic divisions.

After a dream in which he struggled with God Himself, the Biblical Jacob (grandson of the monotheistic Patriarch, Abraham), changed his name to “Israel” – which means “struggles with God“. In the Bible, the Children of Israel were often referred to as “Israelites“. The Tribes descended from Israel were also called “Hebrews” – which referred not to their language but to them being “Haberu“, or nomadic herders).

Descendants of Jacob/Israel eventually became known as “Jews” as a result of the Tribe of Judah (named after one of Jacob/Israel’s children) becoming the dominant remaining presence in the “Land of Israel“. Although many “Jews” alive today are descended from The Tribe of Judah, there are also some “Jews” who are not. Related groups of people around the world descended for the OTHER (“lost”) Tribes of Israel are not considered “Jews” – mainly because most of them no longer share the same religion. There are MANY people (especially of “Hispanic” descent in the Americas and among those who were adopted as young children in Europe during World War II) who are suddenly “discovering” their long-hidden Jewish “roots” – who may, or may not, seek to “reclaim” or “renew” “titles”, “traditions”, or “ties” of their ancestors and “brethren”.

The current “major branches”, or divisions of, Jewish religious belief and practice are usually considered to be: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Humanist, and for lack of a better term, New Age/Metaphysical. Each has distinct sub-divisions. This is nothing new. Thousands of years ago, descendants of the Tribe of Judah were already divided (into Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots, with all sorts of closely-related groups, like the Samaritans (who claim descent from the Tribes of Ephraim and Menashe), thrown into the mix.

While “converts” ARE usually considered “members of the Tribe“, “Jews for Jesus” are usually NOT. In fact, they are often not even considered (to still be) Jews by other Jews – even though they (and many “converts” to other religions) usually almost always continue to be by others – no matter what they (now) believe or consider themselves. This is interesting since most Jews (especially in the United States, Russia, and Israel are NON-religious secularists in their beliefs). In Nazi Germany, just having ONE “Jewish” grandparent made one a “Jew” (as well).Similar thinking (still) exists in the United States – especially regarding people of African “descent”. The Israeli Law of Return also usually only requires one grandparent to have been a Jew for a new immigrant to qualify for (virtually instant) citizenship. Perhaps this is why established (historical) geographic divisions of Jews are often emphasized over the religious ones.

The Mizrachi are descended from those in and from Arab, African, and Asian lands. The Hebrew they speak is sometimes mixed with, or influenced by, Arabic, Aramaic, Ahmaric, Farsi, and various other languages of the lands in which they (once) lived.

The Ashkenazi are those with roots in Germany, Russia, and the majority of Europe. Hebrew mixed with German to become (the essentially “pidgin” language of) Yiddish .

The Sephardi are those who trace descent from Spain and Portugal. After the Inquisition in the late 1400s, many of them moved to England, the Netherlands, Turkey – and the New World (of Latin America). Hebrew mixed with Spanish to become (the “pidgin” language of) Ladino. Many “Ladino” Jews in the United States have managed to benefit from “Latino” programs meant for (non-Jewish) “Hispanic” people – since qualification is based upon mainly upon “Spanish” descent and language….

LONG before Madonna and other celebrities became attracted to the now “popular” Jewish/Kabbalist mysticism, it thrived in the tiny town of S’fat, in Israel – and eventually spread to Spain (during their “Golden Age”).

One of the key teachings was about the (symbolic garden orchard) PARDES (פרדס) and the four levels of understanding). Looking for Paradise within the Meaning of “PARDES” culminated in understanding (various) Secrets Revealed.

In Hebrew, Sepharad is generally refers to (the Jews of) Spain. Of significance is that SePhaRaD (ספרד) is spelled with the same letters as PaRDeS (פרדס) – but with the letter Samech (ס) and it’s corresponding Secret put FIRST and upfront.

Perhaps the Secret to FINDING or CREATING Paradise is to appreciate what is right in front of us – rather than assuming that we have to wait or look for something deeper and more “meaningful”. Sometimes, what is in plain sight and should be most obvious is the most “hidden”.

Looking for Paradise on Earth might make more sense – and bring more benefits and pleasure than looking “heavenward” for a garden in the sky (for the dead). It is easier to die for beliefs than to live them. Perhaps the real Secret of Life is to simply place what is most important first. What do you think?