Theology with a 6-year-old
Getting into the mood for Rosh Hashanah. I had the following theological conversation with my 1st grade daughter waiting for and riding in the bus a few days ago. I think [?] most bystanders thought it was cute. For me, it was weird and interesting, and cute as heck.
Q: If I ask Hashem for more Hatchimals and LOL Dolls, will He give them to me? A: Maybe…if that will help you be a better person. But also maybe not. He doesn’t always give what you ask for. The most important thing forHashem is that people do good things and become better people. [[1st grader considers this idea with some apprehension. Her 3rd grader older sister nods in approval]]
Q: Does Hashem hear me? Does Hashem understand English? A: Always, and language doesn’t matter.
Q: Can Hashem talk to me? A: Yes, but…He might not do it very often, and when He does, it won’t be like regular people speaking because He’s not human.
Q: Will Hashem make the bus come faster if I ask? Hashem! Can you hear me? Hashem! Can you bring the bus? Hashem! Can you make it less hot outside? [[The 3rd grader sister, Eabha, starts pinching her bc she’s finding her little sister annoying]] Hashem! Can you make Eabha stop pinching me? Hashem! Can you make Eabha disappear because she’s being annoying? A: [[Looks around nervously to see if anyone else is noticing this not-quite-fight]]
Q: Is Hashem the wind? Is Hashem the sun? A: No. He’s much bigger than either of those. Bigger than you can imagine.
Q: Is Hashem a boy or a girl? Is the boy Hashem married to a girl Hashem? A: Hashem is not a human being, and so not a boy or a girl. I say “Him” but that doesn’t really make sense because he’s not a boy. He’s not married. There’s no one else like Him for Him to marry. [[Consider bringing up the concept of the Jewish people being “married” to G-d. Decide against it]]
Q: Did Hashem make these buildings, or humans? A: Humans made the buildings, but Hashem made the world and keeps it working, so he kind of made them too, together with the humans [[Consider bringing up the “ha-motzi lechem min haaretz” blessing as an expression of human/divine partnership. Decide against it]]
