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When you are doing Jewish activities, studying, praying, eating, breathing, do you do these with intention? Do you do things because that is just the way you always have? Does the ritual have meaning for you?
In the Talmud they talk about the importance of saying the Sh’ma and saying it at the appropriate times. However, it does say that if you are studying Torah with full intention you do not need to say the Sh’ma.
The Mishna in Berachot 13a says: “One who was reading Torah and the time for reciting Shema arrived, if he directed his heart [intended it], he fulfilled his obligation.” – translation by aishdas.org
Sometimes doing things with intention even removes the need to perform an obligation, a requirement, a commandment, a law. This is not something that was taken lightly, not as is done in our modern world. An obligation was just that, an obligation. But if you could show that you were so into the study of Torah, you did not need to say the Sh’ma.
I think the approach is the same for any Jewish activity. If you are just learning and encountering Jewish rituals and laws, it is more important to try one with intention then to do some without trying or half-heartedly. It is more important to do the commandments with intention then to be perfect in accomplishing all the obligations.
Pick something Jewish. Do it. Do it with intention. Pay attention to how it changes you, your interactions with people and your encounters with G-d.
Let me know how it goes.
