Hi Zia, Thank you for sharing. Living in an interfaith marriage has challenges but is not impossible. You didn't mention the greatest challenge. Your kids would be Jewish by halacha. How would your Muslim husband embrace this fact.
I guess, based on your post, there is another challenge of your relationship. Irrespective of the type of religions, he is more observant than you seem to be. I guess, you follow Reform practice, just based on that you called the prayer veahavta. Most observant Jews would call it Shema Yisrael. A difference in the level of observance may cause problems in the relationship later on.
Now if you embrace the differences, a whole new world may open up for you. My great grandparents were Spanish-speaking Jews living in Sarajevo. While intermarriages with Bosnaks was still uncommon, the two communities lived in mutual respect and support. The ties were closer than with the Christians. As you learn about Islam and your partner learns about Judaism, you'll find a lot of similarities. While many in my family speak Arabic as a second or third language, I don't speak the language. However, I can guess about half of the words just by their similarity to Hebrew. E.g., on the weekend I made lamb with the spice mix Ras al Hanout. What does it mean? Rosh shel Hanut = head of the shop, i.e., the best <spices> in the shop. Also, the esthetics of the Jewish service, particularly the melodies, are almost identical to the Muslim service, at least in a typical Sephardi kahal.
If you want to find a common ground, go with him to the masjid, wear a veil. Jewish women in the Arab world did it all the times. Also explore a Sephardi Kahal and if you like it, take him there. I expect, you both will feel welcome there and enjoy the warmth. B'Shalom.
Hi Zia, Thank you for sharing. Living in an interfaith marriage has challenges but is not impossible. You didn't mention the greatest challenge. Your kids would be Jewish by halacha. How would your Muslim husband embrace this fact.
I guess, based on your post, there is another challenge of your relationship. Irrespective of the type of religions, he is more observant than you seem to be. I guess, you follow Reform practice, just based on that you called the prayer veahavta. Most observant Jews would call it Shema Yisrael. A difference in the level of observance may cause problems in the relationship later on.
Now if you embrace the differences, a whole new world may open up for you. My great grandparents were Spanish-speaking Jews living in Sarajevo. While intermarriages with Bosnaks was still uncommon, the two communities lived in mutual respect and support. The ties were closer than with the Christians. As you learn about Islam and your partner learns about Judaism, you'll find a lot of similarities. While many in my family speak Arabic as a second or third language, I don't speak the language. However, I can guess about half of the words just by their similarity to Hebrew. E.g., on the weekend I made lamb with the spice mix Ras al Hanout. What does it mean? Rosh shel Hanut = head of the shop, i.e., the best <spices> in the shop. Also, the esthetics of the Jewish service, particularly the melodies, are almost identical to the Muslim service, at least in a typical Sephardi kahal.
If you want to find a common ground, go with him to the masjid, wear a veil. Jewish women in the Arab world did it all the times. Also explore a Sephardi Kahal and if you like it, take him there. I expect, you both will feel welcome there and enjoy the warmth. B'Shalom.