NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay, I saw that "Ask a Latter Day Saint" thread and thought "Why not do the same?"

A lot of people are clueless as to the practices and beliefs of Judaism. I don't claim to be a master of the subject (I don't speak Hebrew, I need a calendar to remember when all the Holidays are, and I don't know even a tiny percentage of the history and teachings) but I am better informed than the majority of Earths populace.

So, if you have any questions about Judaism feel free to ask them here. I will answer to the best of my knowledge, but please do not expect exact and perfect explanations. What I don't know I will attempt to look up for you, and if I can't find it I will tell you so. I'll try not to make up to much stuff, but I make no promises ;)

Who's first?

What are the primary differences between the Orthodox and mainstream Jews?

What is the significance of wearing a yamuka?

The primary difference between Orthodox and Conservative/Reform (What I believe is the mainstream Jew) is merely the level of strictness in observance to the Jewish laws. It's like a person who will Jay-walk on occasion and who might drive over the speed limit (Conservative/Reform) and a person who will never go one mile over that posted limit and always uses the crosswalks.

The yamuka represents subservience to God (I think. This one I was told years ago, my memory is faulty). It symbolises God always being over us.

What is your favourite optical illusion?

Do Jews really keep a gold coin under their yarmulcre to pay YHVH when they die?

Not that I know of. That might have been an practice taken from the Greek/Roman mythos of paying Charon to ferry you across the river Styx to the Underworld (Many practices in modern religions are descended from the Greek/Roman religions) but I don't think it is practiced currently.

What is your favourite optical illusion?

This weird little 'T' shape which the top, apparently shorter than bottom, is actually longer than the bottom. Quite freaky.

I commend you for having the guts to put yourself out there with this thread. God bless you! :p

Why don't you eat pork?

Well, I personally just don't like the taste, but officially because it's not Kosher.

For food to be kosher it has fit a series of specifics. The animal it comes from has to chew its cud (already eaten food stored in the stomach which can be regurgiated when wanted for further chewing), has to have a cloven hoof, and other such qualifications. It is believed that animals not fitting these qualifications are 'unclean' for eating. Not that they're evil or the Spawn of Satan or anything, just unclean.

Also, animals that are Kosher to eat also need to be killed and prepared in specific Kosher ways. They have to be killed instantly and painlessly, soaked in salt water, etc. It's actually quite complicated.

If i become a jew can I still eat fleur de sel or do I have to switch to 100% kosher salt always? And what if i lose the gold coin?

I commend you for having the guts to put yourself out there with this thread. God bless you! :p


What.....seriously? Kickass, I've been blessed!

Will Virginia Tech cover the 2 point spread against WVU?

I have a fascination with Hasidim. I don't quite understand what the deal is with them. Their art is fantastic, at least the music I've heard, but do they refuse to mingle with others of the jewish faith? Are they the jewish equivalent of the fundamentalist? I've never quite understood, either, what the curls at the ears are symbolic of.

If i become a jew can I still eat fleur de sel or do I have to switch to 100% kosher salt always? And what if i lose the gold coin?

I already told you, the gold coin isn't true (Unless you mean some other gold coin, not the one you asked about before). The salt thing is actually up in the air, I really don't see how any type of salt can possibly not be Kosher (Unless it's soaked in pig fat or something like that). I think you're safe eating the non-Kosher labeled salt, since I think it's Kosher anyway.

Does "Pork" in Chinese food count? I ask, because, Y'know, you never know what they're calling "pork."

Will Virginia Tech cover the 2 point spread against WVU?

Definitely.

Judaism does not believe in hell if I remember correctly, but does have views on the afterlife. How is sin interpereted in relation to eternity?

I have a fascination with Hasidim. I don't quite understand what the deal is with them. Their art is fantastic, at least the music I've heard, but do they refuse to mingle with others of the jewish faith? Are they the jewish equivalent of the fundamentalist? I've never quite understood, either, what the curls at the ears are symbolic of.

I'm not really sure, give me a few minutes to try and find an answer for you.

The Mycon........you better ask a Rabbi for that one.

OK if i can still eat fleur de sel i may just take up this jewishness.

Judaism does not believe in hell if I remember correctly, but does have views on the afterlife. How is sin interpereted in relation to eternity?

That is actually a very good question, and I have been trying to figure this out myself for quite a while. One time I actually had a chat with my Rabbi about it and here's what I got out of it.

There is no 'Hell' as it is commonly viewed. There's no fire, not torture, no eternal pain and misery. In fact, the afterlife can be viewed as two seperate rooms. In each room there is a table heaped with food, with people sitting on both sides. However, everybody's arms are twice as long as normal and they can't get their food to their mouths. In one room the people are all simply sitting there, staring at the food. In the other room everyone is eating, for they are picking up the food and putting it in the mouths of those across from them.

If you are bad in life you aren't punished, you are simply not rewarded. There's nobody to feed you. However, if you are good in life there is somebody there to help you, somebody sitting across the table to feed you as you feed them.

Also, your spot in the afterlife is not final. No being worthy of being worshiped would condemn you for all of eternity for actions during a finite time on Earth. Sins commited in life can be atoned for in the afterlife.

If i get fed fleur de sel in the heaven room i will DEFINITELY take up this jewishness! Oy Vay! Rafaaaaaa!

Does "Pork" in Chinese food count? I ask, because, Y'know, you never know what they're calling "pork."

You don't need a rabbi to answer that - if you don't know what it is, let alone how it was prepared, then in all likelyhood it isn't kosher.

(Klonor, I hope you don't mind me answerring some of the questions for you :P)

Okay, Hasidim...here we go.

From what I can figure out, Hasidim as are what we might call conservatives in the modern world. That's not a reference to what they believe in, rather it is a reference to their hold on the beliefs. A belief in the way Judaism is and that it should not be changed, that the teachings are as true now as they were when they were written.

I don't think there's any official refusal to mingle with other Jews, but rather that it simply isn't done because to do so would make them not Hasidim anymore (since the rest of the Jewish faith has absorbed the customs and rituals of dozens of other cultures and religions over the years).

*NOTE* This is from a search on Google, this has not been taught to me by any religous scholar. I believe it to be accurate, but please do not simply take my word for it.

You don't need a rabbi to answer that - if you don't know what it is, let alone how it was prepared, then in all likelyhood it isn't kosher.

(Klonor, I hope you don't mind me answerring some of the questions for you :P)

No problem, I just didn't want to say 'yes' or 'no' when I wonder at the content of that pork myself.

Will Virginia Tech cover the 2 point spread against WVU?

Definitely



Awesome...

off to sportsbook...

I find that explanation of the afterlife much more in keeping with god's character than the christian version. Created imperfect beings, and then letting them burn in perdition if they don't accept god within a finite span on a world full of imperfection and uncertainty. It's quite the catch 22.

Yup. Infinity based of finity just doesn't make sense.

What is your favourite optical illusion?
Iraq's Weapons of Mass Distruction - sorry couldn't help myself.

Also, your spot in the afterlife is not final. No being worthy of being worshiped would condemn you for all of eternity for actions during a finite time on Earth. Sins commited in life can be atoned for in the afterlife.
Three cheers. Thats better than most things I've heard about the afterlife.

Okay, Hasidim...here we go.

From what I can figure out, Hasidim as are what we might call conservatives in the modern world. That's not a reference to what they believe in, rather it is a reference to their hold on the beliefs. A belief in the way Judaism is and that it should not be changed, that the teachings are as true now as they were when they were written.

I don't think there's any official refusal to mingle with other Jews, but rather that it simply isn't done because to do so would make them not Hasidim anymore (since the rest of the Jewish faith has absorbed the customs and rituals of dozens of other cultures and religions over the years).

*NOTE* This is from a search on Google, this has not been taught to me by any religous scholar. I believe it to be accurate, but please do not simply take my word for it.
I seem to be more observant than you, but you are doing a good job at answering these questions.

I have been to Israel, and yes, Hasidim do talk to other Jews, they just wouldn't say, go to a family gathering together probably. Unless the less strict Jew respects the Hasidim's ways for that period of time.

Iraq's Weapons of Mass Distruction - sorry couldn't help myself.


Three cheers. Thats better than most things I've heard about the afterlife.
werd to the afterlife

I seem to be more observant than you, but you are doing a good job at answering these questions.

I have been to Israel, and yes, Hasidim do talk to other Jews, they just wouldn't say, go to a family gathering together probably. Unless the less strict Jew respects the Hasidim's ways for that period of time.


I didn't mean they never speak to other Jews. Also, like I said, I got that from a Google search. I, personally, have no experience with Hasidim and said so at the end of that post

dance to hava nagila?

This question COULD be considered racist, but I don't thik so:
Why do American Jews consider themselves liberal, yet proud to be Jewish?
Also, what's with the whole Jewish "race" thing? I thought it was a religion, not a race?

You mean do I want to? Sure!

This question COULD be considered racist, but I don't thik so:
Why do American Jews consider themselves liberal, yet proud to be Jewish?
Also, what's with the whole Jewish "race" thing? I thought it was a religion, not a race?
what do you mean liberal? i consider myself conservative.

hey, we're not the ones that say, "yeah, he looks jewish" :p

it is a religion, but many jewish people who came to this country had the same facial features, plus many israelis also have similar features to other israelis

This question COULD be considered racist, but I don't thik so:
Why do American Jews consider themselves liberal, yet proud to be Jewish?
Also, what's with the whole Jewish "race" thing? I thought it was a religion, not a race?

I really don't get that Jewish race thing. I'm with you, it's a religion not a race.

The liberal thing.....well that I just don't know. That's a person by person thing, I don't think it can be summed up.

You mean do I want to? Sure!
of course thats what i mean! w00t w00t

Hey, here's one. What is entailed in conversion to judaism. Maybe it's that it is a religion very steeped in families and tradition, or maybe it's that I live in a painfully white anglo saxon protestant area, but I have never once heard of somebody converting to judaism (although I'm sure it's much more common than that).

Hey, here's one. What is entailed in conversion to judaism. Maybe it's that it is a religion very steeped in families and tradition, or maybe it's that I live in a painfully white anglo saxon protestant area, but I have never once heard of somebody converting to judaism (although I'm sure it's much more common than that).
depends on the sex what it could entail.

but i do know that in the synagogue that i attend, many people are converting to judaism and becoming part of our temple

It is possible, but it's not a simple "Hey Rabbi, can I be a Jew?" "Sure" "Great!" It takes some work.

I don't know what is specifically required, maybe one of the other Jewish NS'ers will, but I can only assume it requires extensive study and prayer.

It is possible, but it's not a simple "Hey Rabbi, can I be a Jew?" "Sure" "Great!" It takes some work.

I don't know what is specifically required, maybe one of the other Jewish NS'ers will, but I can only assume it requires extensive study and prayer.
Well it does take a lot of study, but nothing more than say, taking a college course for a semester or two. definetley doable. but if you would want the best answer, seeing a rabbi and just asking him seems to do it. they know.

If Judaism is a religion, can an atheist still be considered a jew?

I'd assume since growing up there are many things such as mitzvahs ect.. Probably wouldn't do to have people just join on without having studied judaism a day in their lives. I suppose that might be why you don't hear of many people converting. Pretty big life decision.

With a bit of thought, I think it would basically require the same actions as being Bar/Bat Mitzvah'd. (FYI: A Bar Mitzvah is for a boy and a Bat Mitzvah is for a girl). The B/B is the ritual of a child becoming an adult in the Jewish community, reading from the Torah and leading the cogregation in prayer. Months of study is required (And I still managed to screw mine up!). It is essentially a right of passage. I can only assume that a convert would be required to go through the same motions.

If Judaism is a religion, can an atheist still be considered a jew?

I could field that one!

Jusaism believes in the one true god.

Athiests believe there is no god.

Conflicts occur.

If Judaism is a religion, can an atheist still be considered a jew?
No. thats silly. He may have been born a jew. but you have to practice it and believe in it. I guess until he or she is 18 they would have to listen to their parents, but after that, i supposed they could renounce their religion. being any religion is not just something you put on a resume.

Shlarg, an atheist can not be a Jew. He/she can be of Jewish descent (Like my favorite author, Isaac Asimov) but he/she is not Jewish.

What do jew-ish people think about mormons?

after reading the summary of their history?
link to summary:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/morma/

The only Mormons I know are on-line, but from what I've heard from them I don't see any problem. Judaism as a whole probably has no official stance, but I see no major conflicts.

I'd assume since growing up there are many things such as mitzvahs ect.. Probably wouldn't do to have people just join on without having studied judaism a day in their lives. I suppose that might be why you don't hear of many people converting. Pretty big life decision.
it is a big life decision, but then again, many people like the structure. but like i said, hard study like taking a college course seriously is sorta what would be needed to convert. at least to conservative judaism, probably less for reform, and a lot more for orthodox.

also, to klonor, many jews have converted, but havent yet had their bar or bat mitzvah, its a different thing.

*flame

But does judaism accept their idolatry?


http://www.livejournal.com/users/morma/

It always kind of disturbs me that so many people intertwine their heritage and their religion. We had a speaker at school way back when who practiced Tibetan Buddhism, but since she was born Lutheran she said she was "a Buddhist Lutheran". You know, don't mind that the two are extremely different, and most theologians would say they are irreconcilable. Just put down everything to cover all the bases!

What do jew-ish people think about mormons?

after reading the summary of their history?
link to summary:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/morma/
jewish, no, hyphen.

we don't think anything about any certain group, we respect all people equally because we believe that all people are made in god's image. but yeah, we don't like nazi's. and i guess we don't like people who try and kill us to this day. but for just regular people who don't mind us, we are fine with them. :D

jewish, no, hyphen.

we don't think anything about any certain group, we respect all people equally because we believe that all people are made in god's image. but yeah, we don't like nazi's. and i guess we don't like people who try and kill us to this day. but for just regular people who don't mind us, we are fine with them. :D

But their religion's founder killed a man and stole his prized posession...

Isnt that sort of like being a nazi? Plus they have lots of wives... like the jewish arch enemy... the Mahomites.

But does judaism accept their idolatry?


http://www.livejournal.com/users/morma/
they aren't jewish, and so we don't deal with their religion or practices or way of life. it doesn't matter to us what they do. if you were jewish, then no, no idols. like all those crosses with jesus on them... that wouldn't be in the jewish religion.

it is a big life decision, but then again, many people like the structure. but like i said, hard study like taking a college course seriously is sorta what would be needed to convert. at least to conservative judaism, probably less for reform, and a lot more for orthodox.

also, to klonor, many jews have converted, but havent yet had their bar or bat mitzvah, its a different thing.

I know. I didn't say that to convert they were B/B Mitzvah'd. I said it was probably a similar ritual, reading from the Torah and such.

they aren't jewish, and so we don't deal with their religion or practices or way of life. it doesn't matter to us what they do. if you were jewish, then no, no idols. like all those crosses with jesus on them... that wouldn't be in the jewish religion.


I'm talking about the mormon central idol Morma, it's explained in detail on this website : http://www.livejournal.com/users/morma/

But their religion's founder killed a man and stole his prized posession...

Isnt that sort of like being a nazi? Plus they have lots of wives... like the jewish arch enemy... the Mahomites.
we don't have an arch enemy. this isn't batman. although my cape is in the closet.

it doesn't matter what their founder did. obviously then he wouldn't be liked, but he's dead right? we can't do anything about it now. you can't keep the hate through generations.

Jexyland, New Granada is trolling. That is not correct information. I am actually about to report him to the Mods. Well, I will if he keeps it up.

NG, please stop posting incorrect information (as that link is horribly incorrect) and please stop posting in my thread.

we don't have an arch enemy. this isn't batman. although my cape is in the closet.

it doesn't matter what their founder did. obviously then he wouldn't be liked, but he's dead right? we can't do anything about it now. you can't keep the hate through generations.


I'm not asking if you hate them... and yes mahomet's followers do want to destroy jewkind so they are you arch enemy.

I'm talking about the mormon central idol Morma, it's explained in detail on this website : http://www.livejournal.com/users/morma/
im a little confused by it, but no

Ooook, you've officially moved yourself from the "mildy nuerotic" catagory to "genuinely frightening".

I'm not asking if you hate them... and yes mahomet's followers do want to destroy jewkind so they are you arch enemy.

they want to destroy everyone. and really its the fundamentalists. i've read to koran.

but we don't want anyone to die. so no. they are not.

It's not an accurate web-site. Very incorrect. To believe that site would mean your I.Q. is lower than Forest Gump. Don't buy it.

They seem mostly to want to destroy jewkind, they hate israel more than the rest of the world put together.

It's not an accurate web-site. Very incorrect. To believe that site would mean your I.Q. is lower than Forest Gump. Don't buy it.
i wasn't quite catching on to what the site was trying to tell me anyway. seems a bit weird to me tho.

what is trolling? im not a forums person so some of the lingo goes over my head.

They seem mostly to want to destroy jewkind, they hate israel more than the rest of the world put together.
the fundamentalists do. not the muslims who actually go by the koran's true teachings.

Trolling is a post that you make specifically to inspire arguments, anger, and hatred. A troll is someone who trolls.

New Granada, I've already asked you to leave my thread. Please do so before I call the Mods.

Now, can we get back on topic? Any questions you have about Judaism, questions that aren't from New Granada, please ask.

the fundamentalists do. not the muslims who actually go by the koran's true teachings.

nevertheless, muslim society can be judged by what it permits its fundementalists to do.

same as christian society in america.

the christian right is mainstream because moderate christians do not put their boots down on the faces of the fundementalists to shut them up.

it creates complicity

New Granada, leave. Now

Trolling is a post that you make specifically to inspire arguments, anger, and hatred. A troll is someone who trolls.

New Granada, I've already asked you to leave my thread. Please do so before I call the Mods.
oh. well yeah, it seems like he wants me to agree with him and say that we have an arch enemy, but its not really gonna work :p i'm feeling pretty cool at the moment. i'm also dancing between posts

nevertheless, muslim society can be judged by what it permits its fundementalists to do.

same as christian society in america.

the christian right is mainstream because moderate christians do not put their boots down on the faces of the fundementalists to shut them up.

it creates complicity
people are free to do what they want under the laws of the countries they live in, not the religions they are or are not part of. free will.

Let's get back on topic, shall we?

Somebody ask a freaking question before I shoot somebody!

who is the hottest Jew chick alive?

Uh.....well......maybe.........Jexyland, you wanna take this one?

who is the hottest Jew chick alive?
this hot girl. wow. ;D

Uh.....well......maybe.........Jexyland, you wanna take this one?
im a fan of brunettes, but the girlfriend i have now just happens to be blonde. shes the best gf ive ever had, so i would have to say im not ALL for brunettes :p then again, shes the only blonde im really attracted to.

Any other questions?

Founder? Times of tragedy? Times of rejoicing?

Anything?

I need clarification. I'm a Jew myself, but people have different opinions.

How would you describe a Jew-fro (the hairstyle)?

Why do Jews cut their penises? If God didn't want you to have foreskin then you..well..wouldn't have any. So is this whole circumsicion thing realy just an excuse from dirty old Rabbi's to legaly fondle young boys willies?

Would you support the rebuilding of the Temple of Jerusalem on the temple mount (the 3rd temple)?

Whest and Skul, the Jew-fro is a complex and sacred style. First you have to......well, you need......uh......okay, what the hell is a Jew-fro?

Von Witzleben, it is theorised today (by scientists and historians, not religious people) that circumcision was actually an attempt to increase the population of the Jews by replacing human sacrifice. When Judaism was first getting started the pop was very small (a lot like now) and couldn't afford the loss of participants due to sacrifice (Back then every religion was killing off followers faster than you can say 'Wow, that really sucks'). They didn't want to abandon the practice of sacrifice completely, so they performed circumcision as a symbolic gesture.

Oh, and Moyles, not Rabbis, perform circumcisions. Common misconception.

Jeruselem, I need to know what stands there now, who lives in the area, and what the predominant religion is. I might be Jewish, but that doesn't mean I blindly disregard the Muslims and Christians who hold the same Holy Sights as sacred. If it is a non-Jewish part of the world then there will be a whole lot more trouble.

There are several different sects of religion for Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Lutheran, etc). Is this also true for Judaism??

Would you like a BBQed pork sandwich?

Jeruselem, I need to know what stands there now, who lives in the area, and what the predominant religion is. I might be Jewish, but that doesn't mean I blindly disregard the Muslims and Christians who hold the same Holy Sights as sacred. If it is a non-Jewish part of the world then there will be a whole lot more trouble.

Whereby hangs the problem. Temple Mount now has the Holy Sepulchre (holiest site in Christendom) and the Dome of the Rock (third holiest site in Islam) on top of it. That's the trouble when your two biggest world religions are Jewish splinter sects.

There are several different sects of religion for Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Lutheran, etc). Is this also true for Judaism??

Almost. There aren't different sects with different teachings (There's only one version of the Torah, only one list of the 10 Commandments, etc.) but there are different levels of observance. Usually classified into three groups: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox are the strictest of the three, observing the religous law to the letter. An orthodox Jew will not even turn on a light or switch off a stove on the Sabbath (Day of rest). Conservatives are the middle level, not perfectly obervant in every regard. To use an analogy I used earlier in this thread, a conservative Jew is like a person who will jay-walk on occasion and who drives five miles over the speed limit. Not the perfect observance of the laws (I, personally, am Conservative). Reform is like conservative to a greater degree, just a little more lax. Again, no difference in teachings, just how closely the rules are followed.

There are, of course, various minor differences between individual synogauges and congregations around the world due to the distance and inability to easily communicate, but nothing worth any real consideration.

Would you like a BBQed pork sandwich?

Sorry, I don't really like Pork. But thanks for the offer!

If you want to know every single thing about Judaism, just buy this book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0142196193/qid=1096468279/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-2997052-7074509?v=glance&s=books

I got it a while ago when I had my bar mitzvah.

This are long.....

I cant find the exact quote here, but someone asked about jews being a race or a religion..
Jews are a nationality and a religion but not a race
People with the same culture, same language, same religion, history and land can be viewed as a nationality!
Thats one of the reasons for example, Israel allows all jews to become immidiat citizens.. as they are already a part of the jewish nationality(The majority in Israel).
feel free to ask me questions too, being ive studied judiasm for years and I currently live in Israel..

Almost. There aren't different sects with different teachings (There's only one version of the Torah, only one list of the 10 Commandments, etc.) but there are different levels of observance. Usually classified into three groups: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox are the strictest of the three, observing the religous law to the letter. An orthodox Jew will not even turn on a light or switch off a stove on the Sabbath (Day of rest). Conservatives are the middle level, not perfectly obervant in every regard. To use an analogy I used earlier in this thread, a conservative Jew is like a person who will jay-walk on occasion and who drives five miles over the speed limit. Not the perfect observance of the laws (I, personally, am Conservative). Reform is like conservative to a greater degree, just a little more lax. Again, no difference in teachings, just how closely the rules are followed.

There are, of course, various minor differences between individual synogauges and congregations around the world due to the distance and inability to easily communicate, but nothing worth any real consideration.

It sounds like you're talking about politics.

Whereby hangs the problem. Temple Mount now has the Holy Sepulchre (holiest site in Christendom) and the Dome of the Rock (third holiest site in Islam) on top of it. That's the trouble when your two biggest world religions are Jewish splinter sects.

Lotsa info here
http://www.templemount.org/

I mean to take Jerusalem as a nation in NS, but well ...

Can I live on the moon with you, please?

Also, what's with the whole Jewish "race" thing? I thought it was a religion, not a race?

This is what I was taught...

Judaism is a religion first, a culture, tradition and a nation.

The religion part is obvious.

Culture...we have 5000 years of tradition behind us. Many people, even the atheists, etc, still follow some of the cultural things in Judaism. A girl I was friends with in high school didn't believe in G-d, but she still joined our youth group, went to the synagogue, said prayers, sang and danced with the rest of us...because she loved the tradition. Just because she didn't believe in G-d didn't mean she wanted to give the rest of her culture and background up. (I don't know if I explained that well or not).

Nation/Race...there is no one "race' that is Jewish. In the States and most of Europe people think of a stereotype when they think of Jews. Dark hair, dark eyes, big noses, etc. Of course, not all Jews look like that (and most intelligent people realize this...). I know Jews who look Irish, I know Asian Jews, Black Jews, etc. So we can't be considered a "race".

But a why a nation? The Torah says we're a Nation. We are the Children of Israel. It combines all those things together...the religion, the culture and the tradition. We have our own laws (the 613 Mitzvot).

I probably didn't explain it well, and the way it was explained to me was MUCH better, and it made a lot more sense. ;)
Here is a site (http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm#Nation) that I like to direct friends when they have questions. Not everyone will agree with everything they say, but I think it does a great job of being as factual as possible.

Jeruselem, I need to know what stands there now, who lives in the area, and what the predominant religion is. I might be Jewish, but that doesn't mean I blindly disregard the Muslims and Christians who hold the same Holy Sights as sacred. If it is a non-Jewish part of the world then there will be a whole lot more trouble.

If you ever get a chance to go to Jerusalem, go! I fell on my knees and wept when I first walked up to the Wall. And I'm not Orthodox. ;) (I'm Conservative).
From the same site, this describes (http://www.jewfaq.org/shul.htm#Temple) about The Temple, synagogues and temples. At the bottom, it has a blurb about why some people feel Temple has not been rebuilt yet.
On the Temple Mount there are currently two mosques.
Here is some more on The Temple. (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html) It mentions the "Holy of Holies". It was the holiest spot in the Temple...a small, bare room entered only on Yom Kippur by the High Priest. From what I was taught, only he could enter there, only on that day, and only if he had no unpure thoughts. Some Jews are afraid to rebuild the Temple, because we no longer know where that holiest spot is. To imagine construction workers walking all over it would be awful. Don't ask me how it was built in the first place then, I have no answer for you. ;)

Ok, I've been long winded and rambling enough. :p I'm definitely no master on the subject, and most of what I write are opinions, so feel free to disagree with me or prove me wrong. No offense would be taken. ;)

Anybody else have a question on Judaism?

One more BUMP in the hope of inspiring more questions. I've always felt that the best way to counter ignorance is knowledge.

One more BUMP in the hope of inspiring more questions. I've always felt that the best way to counter ignorance is knowledge.
When will the Jews officialy take over the world?

Well, being Jewish, I would ask something, but I probably know the answer! You've done a great job by the way, I couldn't have done it better.

Here's a nice Jewish blessing for you:

May you live to be one hundred and day. (The day is so that you don't die on your birthday!)

Actually, I have a question for you! If the Jews really did rule the world...

a) It would be a better place (albeit more argumentative!)
b) I would know about it
c) I would be on a nice tropical island with a pina colada

So, I don't really know, but when it happens, would someone let me know?!

When will the Jews officialy take over the world?

Next Frida........I mean, no, Jews will never take over the world. It will never happen.

Okay, I saw that "Ask a Latter Day Saint" thread and thought "Why not do the same?"

A lot of people are clueless as to the practices and beliefs of Judaism. I don't claim to be a master of the subject (I don't speak Hebrew, I need a calendar to remember when all the Holidays are, and I don't know even a tiny percentage of the history and teachings) but I am better informed than the majority of Earths populace.

So, if you have any questions about Judaism feel free to ask them here. I will answer to the best of my knowledge, but please do not expect exact and perfect explanations. What I don't know I will attempt to look up for you, and if I can't find it I will tell you so. I'll try not to make up to much stuff, but I make no promises ;)

Who's first?

OK!

When you're meeting with your Zionist elders to discuss the ongoing efforts to subdue humanity to the will of a cult theocracy, and they cut open the beating hearts of babies and use the blood to make 3% alcohol by volume fruit cocktails, and the corporate and political leaders there in the room with you are chanting the ancient magical secrets of the Illuminati, do you usually feel:

a) bored
b) amused
c) dazzled
d) aroused
e) confused
f) befuddled
g) e) and f)
h) b), e) and f)
i) b) and e)
j) other, please explain

Quick answer, 1, 2, 3!

;) :D :)

D! Definitely D. D all the way, baby!

Omg Teh Evil1!!!! I New It!

Yes, yes you did.

Any other questions?

Next Frida........I mean, no, Jews will never take over the world. It will never happen.
Can't you move it to Saturday? I have to work late on Friday.

I'll see what I can do. ;)

Now, in all seriousness, are there any real questions?

Who is craftier - the Jew or the Chinaman?

I'm guessing the Chinaman. The Jews might have once had an Empire equal to that of Rome, but China still has theirs. Where's ours?

I'm guessing the Chinaman.
:eek: And you call yourself a Jew??????? YOUR ANTI SEMITIC!!!!! :p ;)

Actually, the term anti-Semtic does not refer to a hatred of the Jewish people. It refers to the hatred of all Semitic people, of which the Jews are an extreme minority. Arabs are Semitic, as are Akkadians, Phoenicians, Aramaics, Amharics, etc.

So, unless I hate them, too, I'm not an Anti-Semite.

i am jewish abd i go to a jewish dayschool, if you need some more answers, just telegram survo. by the way,most if the strange practices youve heard of are for ultra orthodox, not conservative or reform. also you do not have to keep kosher, its just optional. i dont.

Your doing a good job so far, but I'm going to have to fault you on one thing, your description of heavan/hell. While it may be true, I've heard many a jewish folk tales on the subject. For example, the afterlife consists of Moses teaching torah for eternity. For the good, this is heavan, for the bad, this is hell. But Jewish texts are very vague on the subject, supposedly because of the death obsessed Egyption culture of which they were slaves.

But anyway, good job with the education of them goys.

Can't you move it to Saturday? I have to work late on Friday.nope saturday is shabbat

Actually, the reasoning that my Rabbi gave for the lack of a concise view of the afterlife is the Christian takeover of Rome.

When Judaism was really beginning to evolve as a religion the different morals, laws, etc. were being formed. However, just when people began to delve into "What happens when we die?" was when Rome was coming to power and had conquered the Jews. Their repression prevented much religious growth during that time. Then the Christians came to power in Rome and continued the pressure, even after the fall of Rome through the Chruch and their rule of the other nations. So, we never had a chance to form a view back then and by the time we did have the opporunity (when the Church lost its direct control over the world) we'd already become set in our ways.

I think.

Now, in all seriousness, are there any real questions?

Why does dislike of Israeli government policy get equated with anti-semitism so frequently?

I don't know, and I don't agree with it. I myself disagree with many of Israels actions. Like that wall they're building, nothing good will come of that. To me it just screams "BERLIN WALL!" and we all know how well that turned out.

I think it might be because some people believe the Israeli government to be representative of the entire worlds Jewish population, so whatever they stand for everybody else stands for. Therefore, if you disagree with them you're disagreeing with all Jews everywhere, therefore you must be an Anti-Semite.

nope saturday is shabbat
Sunday then?

I don't know, and I don't agree with it. I myself disagree with many of Israels actions. Like that wall they're building, nothing good will come of that. To me it just screams "BERLIN WALL!" and we all know how well that turned out.

I think it might be because some people believe the Israeli government to be representative of the entire worlds Jewish population, so whatever they stand for everybody else stands for. Therefore, if you disagree with them you're disagreeing with all Jews everywhere, therefore you must be an Anti-Semite.

I guess it was a rhetorical question, but thanks for taking the trouble to trply in so thoughtful a manner - you did say you were after serious ones.
Personally, I am sure that it is convenient for the Israeli government to make that connection, since it avoids them having to deal with critics. In defence of them, I am equally sure that there are many people who do disagree with Israel for anti-Semitic reasons.
HOWEVER, as a card-carrying bleeding heart liberal, I do find it pretty annoying to be lumped among with them, and effectively accused of racism and, well... let's just say that it's (too) easy to deploy the 'Holocaust card' whenever the subject of Israeli government policy comes up. I'm sure that I carry around a lot of unacknowledged personal baggage, but I'd REALLY like to think that anti-Semitism isn't part of it, yet merely to suggest that there might be alternative ways of tackling the Palestinian issue seems to bring about a firestorm of protest.
It doesn't help that the US media now tend to write European public opinion off as 'anti-Semitic'. Of course, Europe tends to write the US off as 'blindly pro-Israel, right or wrong'. I just don't feel that these labels do anything more than obscure debate. And the last thing that that unhappy region needs is more reasons to hate.
[/rant]

So, you didn't want me to answer?

So, you didn't want me to answer?

Yes, I did - I was genuinely interested in an avowedly Jewish point of view.

So... er... maybe it wasn't a rhetorical question.

D'Oh!
This consistency thing is tricky, isn't it? :(

Okay.....

I have a more solid answer for those interested in Hasidiim (Actually spelled Chassidim). It was started about 300 years ago by a man named Baal Shem Tov (literally The Master of the Good Name). Interestingly, it started out as a left-wing of Judism, a liberal "new-thought" group rather then the fundemental sect of Judism we see today.

It was founded after the near-disaster of the Jewish faith because a lot of Jews believed in the coming of the false Messiah, Shabtai Tzvi. The Baal Shem Tov believed that people could reach G-d purely through emotion and dance, rather then through the study of text and classical tradition.

Of course, the rest of Judism feared this group of people, believing that they would bring chaos and desent to the Jewish people. Many oppsing Rabbis tried to get rid of this faction, but they failed. However, they did succeed in bringing the ideas of the Chassids closer to mainstream Judism of the time.

There are many factions of the Chassidic movement, the most popular being the Chabad, an ancronym for the words, Chochmah, Binah, Dayat (Wisdom, Intuition, Insight). Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, past leader of the Chabad was regarded very highly during his life, and thought to be the Messiah. Schneerson died without electing a succesor, spliting the Chabad into two groups. One believes that Schneerson will come back to bring the Messianic age, while the other does not beleive this.

Most of this information, I already knew, supplemented with info from a google search. Any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask!!!

Your doing a good job so far, but I'm going to have to fault you on one thing, your description of heavan/hell. While it may be true, I've heard many a jewish folk tales on the subject. For example, the afterlife consists of Moses teaching torah for eternity. For the good, this is heavan, for the bad, this is hell. But Jewish texts are very vague on the subject, supposedly because of the death obsessed Egyption culture of which they were slaves.

But anyway, good job with the education of them goys.


One of the reasons Jews do not know that much about the afterlife if because the Torah is rather vague on the subject, as opposed to the Christian bible. We do know that, in the Torah, The afterlife is called, Sheol, which is described as a bottomless pit in the earth

Sheol is divided into sections and depending how you were in life, influences what level of Sheol you'll end up in. It is written that Kings descend directly in the first tier and so on.
As for what is physically in Sheol is not really known, except that it is dark and dreary, especially for the lower levels. Interestingly, early descriptions of Sheol in the bible are more bleak, while descriptions in the later books are less unhappy.

We do know, however, that it is not a place one would not want to be. Several times in the Torah, one person calls another up from Sheol, to ask advice, etc. A ghostly figure rises out of the ground, complaining about disturbing the rest of the descesed. If these texts are to be believed, then not only can people be called up from the dead, by another (Though only be the will of G-d), but it is not a place where you would like to be disturbed from.

Other then Sheol, there is another place where one might go. However, only four men in the Bible have ahcieved this distinction. The Torah says that the person was "taken up to G-d." As to what this means, we can only speculate, but it seems obious that these men, one of them being Noah's father and Methusela's son, Lamech, did not go to Sheol, like everyone else. Interestingly, the Torah makes no refernce to women being "taken up to
G-d." So there could be people that are taken up the Torah does not tell us about.

Hope I answered some Questions, though for the true Jewish thinker, I have only created more questions then I have answered.

What does "kosher" mean?
I hear people referring to it as some kind of meals... But what does it mean when a meal is "kosher" ?

Kosher food is food that is 'clean' to eat. It has to come from certain animals, be prepared in certain ways, and even eaten in certain ways.

Pork, for example, is not Kosher. No pig product is.

Beef is kosher, as long as it is killed/cooked in a specific manner and not served along with any dairy product.

All fish are kosher (I think) but shellfish are not. A pity, because I do love lobster.

There is a list of animal characteristics that determine which animals are safe to eat, along with what methods of cooking/eating are permitted. I don't remember every requirement, but a few are "The animal has to have a cloven hoof, it has to chew its cud, and I don't remember any more".

Does that help?

Kosher food is food that is 'clean' to eat. It has to come from certain animals, be prepared in certain ways, and even eaten in certain ways.

Pork, for example, is not Kosher. No pig product is.

Beef is kosher, as long as it is killed/cooked in a specific manner and not served along with any dairy product.

All fish are kosher (I think) but shellfish are not. A pity, because I do love lobster.

There is a list of animal characteristics that determine which animals are safe to eat, along with what methods of cooking/eating are permitted. I don't remember every requirement, but a few are "The animal has to have a cloven hoof, it has to chew its cud, and I don't remember any more".

Does that help?

Yes, thank you...
I had just heard Americans and Europeans speak of it... But never actually knew what it meant, since there are no jewish people here in the far north.
I think muslims have something similar to this, as they don't eat pigs either.

Just a few thoughts on Israel that you can disregard or accept if you want, But please read.

First, One thing that everbody needs to understand is that even though mostly Palestinians live behind the Wall, is that Israel still owns the land. It is still property of the sate of Israel. Because of this, Israel has the right to sieze it's own land in the interest of national security. Haven't you noticed that the number of suicide bombers has decreased significantly since the wall was erected, The Wall, although the fact that it is needed is unfortunate, is nessecary to protect the lives of the Israeli people.

Second, Many people argue that the land does not belong to Israel, because Palestinians were on the land first. Obviously, the Palestinian residents were there before the nation of Israel, but before the Palestinians, there were many nomdic tribes living in the Middle East, that did not practice Islam. They were invaded by invading Muslims from Asia (The Ottoman and Savafid Empires) and entire populations that were there before were conquered and converted to Islam.
Even before this, the land exchanged hands many times between cvilizations, the Babylonians, the Persians, The Romans, The Jews, The Muslims and others.
Finally, Palestine ended up in the hands of the British at the end of WWII, after the conclusion of fighting in the African theatre. In 1948, the UN, that's right, the united nations, voted to turn the land over to the Zionist in movement for a Jewish homeland.
How could people believe that this land does not belong to Israel, when it has changed hands so many times, and has been given to the Jews by an institution accepted by the world.

Thirdly, The State of Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. It has an excutive head elected by the people, and a representative parliment. No other nation in the Middle East has these princibles. Israel's basic princibles reflect that of the United States, so why would Americans not support a fellow democracy, and support an anarchic people without any sure sense of nationalism, except for the fact that they are anti-Israeli. If Israel government was disestablished, then the area could possibly decay back into disorganized groups of nomads that were there before Israel was set up.
Many people think that Israel is biased towards Jews and against Palestinians. This is, of course not entirely untrue, since Israel was created as a homeland for Jews. However, Palestinians are not "repressed" in fact, there are Members of Parliment that are Muslim.

Fourthy, Israel, as a nation has turned the area around. What used to be a sparse desert, it now turning into a luscious forest, an oasis in the Middle East. Israel is a stable, self-sufficent government that is able to fight the desert back, turning the desert into greenery. I'm not sure if the Palestinians can do this.

These are just a few reasons why I support Israel.

That's nice, but not the point of this thread. Your are obviously a well informed Jew, this is for not-informed Goys.

What everybody out there already knows everything there is to know about Judaism?










Cool!

A- Klonor - its a fence, not a wall! the media is really misleading
out of hundreds of kilometers of barbed wire, less then 5% (around 7 kilometers or so) are an actual wall, and this only where israeli population live closely to the palestinian one and have suffered from shootout attacks through the actual fence!

B- The Israeli goverment does NOT uses the "Anti-Semite" Card..
infact, ive only seen the notorious israel haters say that in years of debating with foreigners.
But I have seen people go "Go back to aushwitz pigs!" and then when people called them antisemites they were like "But we only criticize israel! dont call us that!".
I disagree with the term "Holocaust card", the holocaust was the worse the warcrime ever in history, not because of the masses(cuz for example, more russians were killed and murdered in that period of time) but because never in history was a population chased all over the world, without anyone to defend them.. only to suffer a fate worse then death in camps, or under doctor Mengala's tortures who made experiements on humans or so..

I have a fascination with Hasidim. I don't quite understand what the deal is with them. Their art is fantastic, at least the music I've heard, but do they refuse to mingle with others of the jewish faith? Are they the jewish equivalent of the fundamentalist? I've never quite understood, either, what the curls at the ears are symbolic of.

If you are fascinated with Hasidim please read a book entitled Boychiks in the Hood. it is a fascinating tail ofa secular jew who goes in search of his roots. the Author is Robert Eisenberg and it's isbn is 0-7043-8031-5. Amazon may have a review of it

Second, Many people argue that the land does not belong to Israel, because Palestinians were on the land first. Obviously, the Palestinian residents were there before the nation of Israel, but before the Palestinians, there were many nomdic tribes living in the Middle East, that did not practice Islam. They were invaded by invading Muslims from Asia (The Ottoman and Savafid Empires) and entire populations that were there before were conquered and converted to Islam.
Even before this, the land exchanged hands many times between cvilizations, the Babylonians, the Persians, The Romans, The Jews, The Muslims and others.
Finally, Palestine ended up in the hands of the British at the end of WWII, after the conclusion of fighting in the African theatre. In 1948, the UN, that's right, the united nations, voted to turn the land over to the Zionist in movement for a Jewish homeland.
How could people believe that this land does not belong to Israel, when it has changed hands so many times, and has been given to the Jews by an institution accepted by the world.


How can you claim the UN as an authority for the existence of Israel when Israel is ignoring the UN resolutions demanding Israel return to its pre 1967 borders?

Palestinians were living on the land at the time it was turned over to Israel. If the government of Israel had been fair and equitable in its treatment of Palestinians, Palestinian resistance to Israel would have died away.

People, this is not the point of the thread! Please take it elsewhere!

Judaism does not believe in hell if I remember correctly, but does have views on the afterlife. How is sin interpereted in relation to eternity?

This link should help clarify things (as much as they can be clarified within Judaism, anyway)

http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_afterlife.htm

If you are fascinated with Hasidim please read a book entitled Boychiks in the Hood. it is a fascinating tail ofa secular jew who goes in search of his roots. the Author is Robert Eisenberg and it's isbn is 0-7043-8031-5. Amazon may have a review of it

Boychiks is a good introduction, but is far from scholarly and contains some errors and generalizations. Eisenberg's contention that in 100 years, Hasidism are likely to be the "only Jews left" should also be taken with a grain of salt- particularly since he admits he has little experience with any non-Orthodox movements.

After Boychiks, I would recommend Samuel Heilman's "Defenders of the Faith"- an anthropological view of the Israeli ultra-Orthodox.

Once again, I'm asking for questions

How can you claim the UN as an authority for the existence of Israel when Israel is ignoring the UN resolutions demanding Israel return to its pre 1967 borders?

Palestinians were living on the land at the time it was turned over to Israel. If the government of Israel had been fair and equitable in its treatment of Palestinians, Palestinian resistance to Israel would have died away.


I am not claiming the UN as the authority for the existance of Israel, just for it's creation as a modern nation.

In the '67 war, it was the Arab nations that attacked Israel. The Arabs lost, therefore Israel should be able to keep the spoils of war, if they so choose. If the Arab nations wanted their land back, they should win it back the way they lost it.

Not all Palestinians resist Israel. Many Palestinians realize that things are better now that Israel is in power. They now have things like good living conditions and a stable government.

Maybe the portion of "resisters" are actually a bunch of crazed terrorists with pre-modern values. How could anybody rejoice in the fact that their teenage son stapped a bomb on himself and blew up dozens of innocent people.

Do Jews really keep a gold coin under their yarmulcre to pay YHVH when they die?
Where did you hear that? That's total BS. :confused:

I have a question. Does the Jewish religion have a set order of higher clergy, like the Pope and Cardinals for the Catholic Church?

Definitely.
VThech sucks. UVA all the way! Wahoowa!

I have a question. Does the Jewish religion have a set order of higher clergy, like the Pope and Cardinals for the Catholic Church?
I'll answer that. NO! The Jewish faith's highest member is a rabbi. All (or most) of the rabbi's meet every year or so to discuss religious issues.

Sunday then?
Jewis people party on Sunday! :D

Kosher food is food that is 'clean' to eat. It has to come from certain animals, be prepared in certain ways, and even eaten in certain ways.

Pork, for example, is not Kosher. No pig product is.

Beef is kosher, as long as it is killed/cooked in a specific manner and not served along with any dairy product.

All fish are kosher (I think) but shellfish are not. A pity, because I do love lobster.

There is a list of animal characteristics that determine which animals are safe to eat, along with what methods of cooking/eating are permitted. I don't remember every requirement, but a few are "The animal has to have a cloven hoof, it has to chew its cud, and I don't remember any more".

Does that help?
Fish have to have scales, so you can have salmon, but not flounder.

I have a question. Does the Jewish religion have a set order of higher clergy, like the Pope and Cardinals for the Catholic Church?

Z-unit is right, there isn't anything higher than Rabbi. Yearly meetings and such help keep all the different groups connected and on the same page.

Zachistahn, please take it to a different thread.

I'll answer that. NO! The Jewish faith's highest member is a rabbi. All (or most) of the rabbi's meet every year or so to discuss religious issues.

I've never heard of this. No doubt there are various meetings that happen between groups of rabbis throughout the year, but that's mainly an inter-demoninational thing. As far as I know, there is no "World Rabbi Congress" where most of the world's rabbis (which would be a LOT of people, you realize) meet.

Plus, the Orthodox Jews don't recognize non-Orthodox rabbis as legitimate rabbis, so that couldn't possibly work.

Why are you such a kike?

Depends what origin you want to use:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/11-Miscellaneous/section-14.html

There are many explanations:
* One explanation is that the word kike originates from the word
"keikl", in Yiddish, which means "circle". At Ellis Island, one of
the main immigration checkin points, immigrants were intially
grouped by religion and language in order to make it easier for
them to communicate with each other and also to be identified more
quickly by waiting relatives there to meet them. Christians were
marked off with an 'X' which was likely really supposed to be a
cross; Jews were marked with a circle which was really likely
supposed to be the Star of David. It is easy to see how the staff
could become sloppy at drawing these symbols as 'x' and 'o'. The
word "keikl" was used by the Jews making fun of the poorly drawn
star; they referred to each other as being 'circles'.
Unfortunately, from this innocent usage, the term aquired a
derogatory meaning.

Robert L. Chapman's "American Slang" has a slight variation on the
above. Rather than saying the circle was a mark made by the staff
to symbolize the Star-of-David, the book says: "Jews who could not
sign their names would make a circle." This suggests that it was
Jews themselves who started using the circle- presumably to avoid
the X which was reminiscent of a cross.

* According to "Our Crowd", by Stephen Birmingham, the term kike was
actually coined as a putdown by assimilated American German Jews
for their Eastrern-European bretheren: "Because many Russian
[Jewish] names ended in 'ki', they were called 'kikes'- a German
Jewish contribution to the American vernacular. (Germans are also
said to have invented the term "Bohunk", referring to Jews from
Bohemia.)". Following this explanation, the name kike was
deliberately coined to put-down Jews- but only a certain subset of
Jews. The name then proceeded to be co-opted by Gentiles and used
against all Jews in general.

* Robert L. Chapman's "American Slang" also notes that the word
could be a reference to "Ike", a nickname for Isaac.

I'm inclined to believe the German Jewish explanation- and therefore don't find the word "kike" particularly offensive, since my ancestors were all Eastern European Jews, one of whose surname actually DID end in "ski".

I've never heard of this. No doubt there are various meetings that happen between groups of rabbis throughout the year, but that's mainly an inter-demoninational thing. As far as I know, there is no "World Rabbi Congress" where most of the world's rabbis (which would be a LOT of people, you realize) meet.

Plus, the Orthodox Jews don't recognize non-Orthodox rabbis as legitimate rabbis, so that couldn't possibly work.

Except that Orthodox Rabbis do recgonize non-Orthodox rabbis as being legitimate.

Where'd you hear they don't?

EDIT: I just realised that undoubtedly some do and some don't, and that the Orthodox Rabbis that I know that do acknowledge the non-Orthodox Rabbis might be in the minority. I have no evidence either way except my interaction with a few Orthodox Rabbis that I know

Except that Orthodox Rabbis do recgonize non-Orthodox rabbis as being legitimate.

Where'd you hear they don't?

Where did you hear that they do? Orthodox Rabbis see Halakha as being a fixed and determined thing, which can't be altered. Conservative and Reform Judaism alter and in some cases disregard this "holy law", including procedures for rabbinical ordination. I fail to see how Orthodox Jews, rabbis or otherwise could, from a Halakhic perspective, see them as being legitimate rabbis.

*See my edit*

I got my ideas from knowing Orthodox Rabbis who acknowledge non-Orthodox Rabbis. But, like I said in my last post, five people is not representative of the entire religion

I suspect that there is probably a substantial minority of Orthodox Jews (and rabbis) who accept the legitimacy of non-Orthodox rabbis, but my overwhelming impression is that generally this is the exception to the rule.

Some links:

http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/r/ra/rabbi.html

Orthodox Judaism generally rejects the validity of all non-Orthodox rabbis; some within the liberal wing of Modern Orthodoxy are willing to accept that non-Orthodox rabbis have some legitimacy, although to what extent is still being argued. All major branches of non-Orthodox forms of Judaism generally accept the legitimacy of each other's rabbis, as well as accept the legitimacy of Orthodox rabbis.

http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/o/or/orthodox_judaism.html

Orthodoxy, collectively, considers itself the only true heir to the Jewish tradition; most of it considers all other Jewish movements to be unacceptable deviations from tradition. Most Orthodox groups characterize non-Orthodox forms of Judaism as heresy.

There are some Orthodox Jewish sites on the net that go so far as to blatantly state that non-Orthodox Judaism isn't Judaism at all (which certainly wouldn't make its rabbis "real" rabbis).

Two rather harshly worded examples, from a site run by a Karliner-Stoliner Hasid:

http://www.beingjewish.com/unchanged/changed.html

Now, it can be correctly argued, that many Jews have changed Judaism. Yes, this is true. The Reform, the Conservative, the Reconstructionist, and even some groups of people who still call themselves Orthodox. They have changed their "Judaism"; that is, they have changed their way of life, but the Laws of Judaism have not changed. If they make an official change, they are no longer performing Judaism, but what they have decided to do. (And I'm going to say this one more time, because I am sick of the letters I get from people about this: THEY ARE STILL JEWS, EVEN IF THEY STOP OBSERVING JUDAISM.)

http://www.beingjewish.com/unchanged/platforms.html

Orthodox Judaism believes that all Jews are Jews, no matter what they believe or do. We do not accept non-Orthodox teachings as valid, but a Reform (or Conservative, or Reconstructionist, or whatever) Jew is still a Jew.

...Conservative Judaism came about as a break-off group from Reform, by people who felt that Reform was leaving traditional Judaism at too fast a pace. They agreed with the Reform that Jews should leave traditional and original Judaism, but they felt it should be done more slowly. I'm not sure why.

...According to surveys taken in the past, a high percentage of Reform "rabbis" do not believe that G-d exists. Nevertheless, Reform believes, officially, that all Jews have an obligation (who created this obligation, I cannot imagine) to study "the traditions," and then choose what works for them. Ultimately, however, the Reform say it is more a question of "keeping in touch with your roots," than it is a way of serving Hashem. How this can be said to be the same as the original Judaism, I cannot imagine. It's not even similar to Judaism in any way. (But yes, they are still Jews, if their mothers are Jewish.)

...(Again, let me reiterate: All Jews are Jews, no matter what they believe or do, even if they belong to Reform, Conservative, or Reconstructionist congregations. The only exception is that if a Jew becomes an idolater he loses his connection to the greater Jewish "Family," though he is still required to repent and return to Judaism. For example, a Jew that becomes a Christian loses his identity as a member of the Jewish Family, even though he is still Jewish, and sins every moment that he is Christian. By Jewish Law, Christianity is permitted to Gentiles, but is considered idolatry for Jews. (Please note that the Jewish legal term of idolatry is better translated as "foreign adherence," and applies to any religion or belief system that Judaism considers such, and therefore even applies to atheism, which technically has no "worship" at all.)

When he returns to Judaism, he returns to the "family." A Jew who has joined or was born into a Reform, Conservative, or Reconstructionist group is still a Jew in all things.I repeat, he is still a Jew. However, the teachings of those groups do not constitute true Judaism. They are a deviation from the original Judaism. But their members are still Jews. I don't care what you have heard or read that Orthodox Rabbis supposedly said. They never said it, and it isn't true even if they had said it, which they didn't. Jews are always Jews.)

I have a fascination with Hasidim. I don't quite understand what the deal is with them. Their art is fantastic, at least the music I've heard, but do they refuse to mingle with others of the jewish faith? Are they the jewish equivalent of the fundamentalist? I've never quite understood, either, what the curls at the ears are symbolic of.

The sidecurls are called peyess (or, more properly, peyot, in plural). Their significance is explained here:

http://www.pinenet.com/~rooster/hasid2.html#HASID2-Q5

Q-5:: What is the significance of the untrimmed beards and sidecurls? At what age do boys begin to wear sidecurls?

A-10: The payos (sidecurls) and beard are worn in obedience to this commandment in the Torah (Bible):

You shall not round the corners of your heads, nor mar the edges of your beards. (Leviticus 19:27)

The "corners of the head" are the area above the ears. "Not rounding" them means not shaving the haiir there, or cutting it very short. Together, both the curls and the untrimmed beard are a symbol of obedience to the laws of God. Many Hasidic men also cut the rest of the hair very short. This is not really required, but is more comfortable under a hat. Also, some Hasidim see the entire haircut -- very short hair with beard and payos -- as part of the "uniform" of their group.

The minimum length for payos (pronounced PAY-us) is long enough that you can grab a hair and bend it towards its own root -- which comes out to be just about to the middle of the ear. But there are other opinions also, and many Hasidim wear them longer. Some men curl them carefully and let them hang conspicuously in front of the ears, while others tuck them behind the ears or up under their yarmulke (skullcap.) Again, this is a matter of style and, in some cases, personal preference.

Lubovitcher Hasidim, however, do not wear payos, except for the young boys until the beard grows in. And some non-Hasidic Orthodox wear them also, including many Sephardic and Yemenite Jews. So you really cannot tell whether or not somebody is a Hasid just because he has payos or doesn't.

At what age does a boy start wearing payos? At age three. Before that, his hair is not cut at all, and is allowed to grow long. On his third birthday, there is a special ceremony where the hair is cut short except for the sidecurls. At this time, he also receives his first set of tzitzit (a four-cornered garment with special tassels, see next Q below). He is now no longer a baby, but a child, which is a different category with more responsibility. The hair-cutting ceremony is usually followed by a happy celebration for his family and friends.

I should also mention here that grabbing or pulling a Hasid's payos -- even in so-called "fun," is a big rude no-no. Ditto for asking to touch our beards. We are not animals for you to pet. I don't pull your hair, please don't pull mine.

One could certainly call Hasidim a kind of Jewish fundamentalism (inasfar as Hasidim take the Bible literally and place their religion as their highest priority). However, there is a political component to Christian fundamentalism that is somewhat different in Hasidim, as well as other Ultra-Orthodox groups. In part that's because the scale of issues and priorities is different; but also most Hasidim are not the "Jewish radicals" one hears about on the news. Most Hasidim are generally apathetic (some are outright hostile, but most aren't) to Zionism and the state of Israel, for instance. And no Hasidim live in Jewish settlements.

Zachistahn, please take it to a different thread.

I'm sorry

If you have read my previous post, I think you would be interested to know that the Chassidic movement started out as a left-wing, non-traditionalist movement.

Many Chassidim are hostile to the Zionist movement, because they don't think there should be a state of Israel without the rebuilding of the temple and the coming of the Messiah.

Now, however, many Chassidim also believe that Israel should not give any land away to the Palestinians, because the current boarders are the boarders defined in the bible, the land that G-d promised to give to the Jewish people. They feel, and not all Jews feel this way, that giving away land that was promised would be like defying the word of G-d, which, of course, is not allowable.

I am interested, and have read all the posts you made. It's just that this thread isn't the place for that discussion.

I am interested, and have read all the posts you made. It's just that this thread isn't the place for that discussion.

Thank you, but you are, of course right. This forum is a place to impart knowledge, not express opinions.

If you have read my previous post, I think you would be interested to know that the Chassidic movement started out as a left-wing, non-traditionalist movement.

You could certainly call it non-traditionalist after a fashion, but "left-wing" doesn't seem to be particularly accurate. It was a religious revivalist movement, stressing strict adherence to the Jewish commandments, although not to the established rabbinical heirarchy or its institutions (particularly the intense process of studying religious texts).

Unless you clarify what you mean by "left-wing", I really have to question the degree to which that description is in any way appropriate.

Many Chassidim are hostile to the Zionist movement, because they don't think there should be a state of Israel without the rebuilding of the temple and the coming of the Messiah.

Well, yes and no. Many are certainly, as I said, not exactly PRO Zionism, but most of them have entered into a pragmatic acceptance of Israel's- and Zionism's- existance, and are not actively hostile to it. This is particularly true with some of the more "moderate" Hasidic groups, such as Bobov, Belz, and Ger.

Now, however, many Chassidim also believe that Israel should not give any land away to the Palestinians, because the current boarders are the boarders defined in the bible, the land that G-d promised to give to the Jewish people. They feel, and not all Jews feel this way, that giving away land that was promised would be like defying the word of G-d, which, of course, is not allowable.

This is one end of the spectrum, represented by the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim. At the other end are the Satmar Hasidim, who say that since Israel was founded by secular Jews fulfilling a secular ideology, that the state has no status in "God's eyes", and therefore they feel it should be abolished and made into a Palestinian state where Jews may "reside".

Between these two poles you have basically every position you could come up with. Some of the ultra-Orthodox (not Hasidim, per se) have, in the past, been part of "pro-peace" coalitions, such as Eliezer Schach's Degel HaTorah party, which was allied with Yitzhak Rabin in the early 90s in support of the peace plan, under the slogan that the saving of a life ("pikuach nefesh") was more important than land.

I have a question...

What does Leviticus 18:22 say in your bible?

I believe it to state: Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: It is abomination.

However, a quick Google search (where I got this from) has returned mainly hits from the King James Bible. I'm pretty sure some of the hits were from the Old Testament, like this one, but that is merely because it didn't state that it was from the King James Bible. This might very well be an inaccurate representation of the Old Testament.

Furthermore, upon further research, it seems that the word 'abomination' refers to something unclean and not morally abject. Like eating pork, sleeping with a menstrating woman, etc. So, if you're not Jewish (and Jewish laws only apply to Jews) then it's perfectly fine for you to be sleep with men. There are probably ways to make it okay to be gay even if you are Jewish.

Personally, I'm fine with people being gay.

What does Oy Vey mean?

Literal Translation: Oh, son of a bitch!

Variation: Oh, shit.

Additional Variation: Damnit!

[QUOTE=QahJoh]

Unless you clarify what you mean by "left-wing", I really have to question the degree to which that description is in any way appropriate.
QUOTE]

I say "left-wing" to mean that they had different ideas of how Judism was meant to be run. Traditionalists, of that time, believed that the only way to 'communicate' with G-d, was through the study of Torah, and doing the comandments. Chassids thought that one could reach G-d through emotion, and that commandments should be followed out of love for G-d. Simply because these ideas were new, and rejected by traditionalists, I call them left-wing. In this case, the term left-wing means a group with a new idea, that differs froms traditional views.

Come on guys, take it to a different thread, please. Don't make me call the Mods on you!

Why cant you have a chicken sandwich with cheese?

I understand the "its not kosher to eat meat with dairy becuase you get dairy from meat" but you cant get milk from a chicken! Why not have a Chicken Sandwich with Cheese?

I didn't know you couldn't eat meat with dairy because you get dairy from meat. In fact, I had no idea there was any connection at all. I have no idea why meat/dairy is unkosher I just know it is, so I can't really answer your question. Sorry

Success! I have found an excellent web-site for information on Kosher practices.

http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

It should be able to answer any quetsions you have on the diets of Judaism.

What does Oy Vey mean?

It literally means "Oh, pain".

I say "left-wing" to mean that they had different ideas of how Judism was meant to be run. Traditionalists, of that time, believed that the only way to 'communicate' with G-d, was through the study of Torah, and doing the comandments. Chassids thought that one could reach G-d through emotion, and that commandments should be followed out of love for G-d. Simply because these ideas were new, and rejected by traditionalists, I call them left-wing. In this case, the term left-wing means a group with a new idea, that differs froms traditional views.

I don't know, I sort of see what you're trying to argue (insofar as them being rejected by rabbinical traditionalists), but calling Hasidim "left-wing" still doesn't quite seem right to me. You could certainly make the case that they were non-traditional in their original inception, radical, even, but "left-wing" is mainly a political designation, and therefore I'm still unconvinced of whether that's an accurate term to use. You could call them, at least the original movement, a "liberal" strain of Orthodox Judaism, though.

So, are there any further questions?

I'm a Jew too. I wanted to reply, but somehow it didn't work.
Now i forgot what i wanted to say :(

Welcome to my world

Any other questions? I'll even take questions from other Jews!

Check out my "Ask an Israeli" thread!

Do you know Hebrew?
Where did you learn what you know about Judaism?
Are you Orthodox, Devout, Traditionalist, or Reformist?
I'll ask more if i think of something?

This may have been asked already but, I know you don't think of Jesus as the prophet but do you believe his is a prophet. Do you hold any respect for him.

Also, I have always wondered if Jew was a racial slur or not.

No, Jesus was not a prophet (for us Jews)

"Jew" is not general a racial slur, but it depends on the context.

Do you know Hebrew?
Where did you learn what you know about Judaism?
Are you Orthodox, Devout, Traditionalist, or Reformist?
I'll ask more if i think of something?

Nope, I don't know Hebrew (Beyond a bare few words such as 'hello', 'goodbye', 'go', 'stop', etc.)

I learned what I know from Hebrew School; which was an after-school program on Mon, Wed, and Sat at my Shul (Jewish Church) during my younger years (I graduated in 7'th grade). I also briefly attended Hebrew High, a supposedly more instructional version for High Schoolers, but when I only learned that the Prince of Egypt was the most factual Exodus movie made I didn't go back for a second year. Also I have a common discussions with my Rabbi on various different topics.

I am a Conservative Jew, which is the mid-level Judaism. Less strict than the Orthodox but more so than the Reform.

Jesus, in the official Jewish and my personal opinion, was just a really unlucky guy. Somebody the Romans saw as a threat and cruicified. He was just a regular guy who got the short end of the stick.

How do Jews feel about the Catholic church?

I don't know the Official Stance of the Religion, but all the Jews that I know (And I knows Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews from all over the world) have no problem with the Church or its members. We might not like some of the stuff it's done in the past, but to quote the movie Dogma: "You can't blame the current incarnation of the Holy Church for the mistakes of the past." (I probably butchered the quote, but you get the idea).

Thanks for answering.
I have one more though.
What is the Jewsish stance on abprtion.
The Catholic stance is NO abortion under ANY circumstances, even rape or incest. It isn't the baby's fault it happened, why punish them?

What i s the Jewish stance on t?

There I can't help you. I, prsonally, am Pro-Choice (But do believe they should chose not to have an abortion) but don't know any texts that are For/Against.

I used to work with a Messianic Jew.

What are Messianic Jews?

I think (stress the think) that a Messianic Jew is a Jew who believes that Jesus Christ was the Messiah.

whats a zionist jew

You know, I have heard so many dozens of definitions for a Zionist Jew that I'm not even going to try to answer that. Sorry, but that's like a "What is the meaning of life?" question, there's no way a single person can give a definite answer.

so how about a lot of people answer me insetd

From what i remember on abortion...


Abortion is allowed if it would threaten the womans life, as in obviously having a baby would kill her...i think it is also allowed if she is raped. Although if she's drunk/high she's out of luck.

=)

Thanks for answering.
I have one more though.
What is the Jewsish stance on abprtion.
The Catholic stance is NO abortion under ANY circumstances, even rape or incest. It isn't the baby's fault it happened, why punish them?

What i s the Jewish stance on t?

Look here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/jud_abor.htm

Halacha (Jewish law) does define when a fetus becomes a nefesh (person). "...a baby...becomes a full-fledged human being when the head emerges from the womb. Before then, the fetus is considered a 'partial life.' " 5 In the case of a "feet-first" delivery, it happens when most of the fetal body is outside the mother's body.

Jewish beliefs and practice not neatly match either the "pro-life" nor the "pro-choice" points of view. The general principles of modern-day Judaism are that:

-The fetus has great value because it is potentially a human life. It gains "full human status at birth only." 2

-Abortions are not permitted on the grounds of genetic imperfections of the fetus.

-Abortions are permitted to save the mother's life or health.

-With the exception of some Orthodox authorities, Judaism supports abortion access for women.

-"...each case must be decided individually by a rabbi well-versed in Jewish law." 5


Abortion-related passages in the Hebrew Scriptures & Talmud:

The Babylonian Talmud Yevamot 69b states that: "the embryo is considered to be mere water until the fortieth day." Afterwards, it is considered subhuman until it is born.

"Rashi, the great 12th century commentator on the Bible and Talmud, states clearly of the fetus 'lav nefesh hu--it is not a person.' The Talmud contains the expression 'ubar yerech imo--the fetus is as the thigh of its mother,' i.e., the fetus is deemed to be part and parcel of the pregnant woman's body." 1 This is grounded in Exodus 21:22. That biblical passage outlines the Mosaic law in a case where a man is responsible for causing a woman's miscarriage, which kills the fetus If the woman survives, then the perpetrator has to pay a fine to the woman's husband. If the woman dies, then the perpetrator is also killed. This indicates that the fetus has value, but does not have the status of a person.

There are two additional passages in the Talmud which shed some light on the Jewish belief about abortion. They imply that the fetus is considered part of the mother, and not a separate entity:

-One section states that if a man purchases a cow that is found to be pregnant, then he is the owner both of the cow and the fetus.

-Another section states that if a pregnant woman converts to Judaism, that her conversion applies also to her fetus.


Abortions needed to save the life of the mother:

A passage from the Mishna quotes a Jewish legal text from the second century CE. It describes the situation in which a woman's life is endangered during childbirth. A D&X procedure (often called Partial Birth Abortion in recent years) might be used under these conditions today. However, this technique was unknown in ancient times. The legal text states that the fetus must be dismembered and removed limb by limb. However, if "the greater part" of the fetus had already been delivered, then the fetus could not be killed. This is based on the belief that the fetus only becomes a person after most of its body emerges from the birth canal. Before personhood has been reached, it may be necessary to "sacrifice a potential life in order to save a fully existent human life, i.e. the pregnant woman in labor." 1 After the forehead emerges from the birth canal, the fetus is regarded as a person. Neither the baby nor the mother can be killed to save the life of the other.

A second consideration is the principle of self-defense. Some Jewish authorities have asserted that if the fetus placed its mother's life at risk, then the mother should be permitted to kill the fetus to save herself, even if the "greater portion [of its body] had already emerged" from the birth canal.


Other abortions:

Some Jewish authorities have ruled in specific cases:

-One case involved a woman who becomes pregnant while nursing a child. Her milk supply would dry up. If the child is allergic to all other forms of nutrition except for its mother's milk, then it would starve. An abortion would be permitted in this case. An abortion of the fetus, a potential person, would be justified to save the life of the child, an actual person.

-An abortion would be permissible if the woman was suicidal because of her pregnancy.

-Jewish authorities differed in a case where a continued pregnancy would leave the mother permanently deaf. She obtained permission for an abortion from the Chief Rabbi of Israel.

-Many Jewish authorities permit abortion in the case of a pregnancy resulting from a rape, if needed in order save her great mental anguish.

-Most authorities do not permit abortion in the event that the fetus is genetically defective or will probably pick up a disease from its mother. The rationale is that even though the child will be malformed, disabled, or diseased, it would still be formed in the image of the creator. Rabbi Eliezar Waldenberg is one authority who believes otherwise. He "allows first trimester abortion of a fetus which would be born with a deformity that would cause it to suffer, and termination of a fetus with a lethal fetal defect such as Tay Sachs up to the end of the second trimester of gestation." 3

-An abortion is sometimes permitted if the woman suffers great emotional pain about the birth of a child who will experience health problems.

-Abortions are not permitted for economic reasons, to avoid career inconveniences, or because the woman is unmarried.

-In a very unusual case, a woman in New Jersey was pregnant with a hydroencephalic fetus. Its large head prevented a conventional delivery. The physician recommended a Caesarian section. But the woman asked for a D&X procedure on the grounds that the fetus' life was doomed anyway and a C section would weaken her uterus for her next pregnancy. Her rabbinic authorities agreed. 4

So, yeah, it's not a black-and-white issue. Yes to save the mother's life, generally yes in the case of rape, no specific decision reg. incest, and, perhaps most significantly, the fetus is NOT considered a "person".

It should be noted, though, that generally Orthodox Judaism only permits abortion under certain circumstances, such as the ones outlined above.

whats a zionist jew

To learn about Zionism go here:

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/zion.html

As you can see, Zionism, like Judaism, is not monolithic, and there are many different kinds of Zionists and "Zionisms".

Any more questions?

Do you live in Israel? if yes
are the girls really hot?

I do not live in Israel. Jersey all the way, bitch!

FYI: 'Jersey' refers to the state of New Jersey which currently resides within the boundries of the United States of America

But I saw a picture of the Israel contestant in the Miss Universe contest and she was........well, let's just say that after the picture was posted an awful lot of people stated clamoring for peace with Israel.

I do not live in Israel. Jersey all the way, bitch!

FYI: 'Jersey' refers to the state of New Jersey which currently resides within the boundries of the United States of America

But I saw a picture of the Israel contestant in the Miss Universe contest and she was........well, let's just say that after the picture was posted an awful lot of people stated clamoring for peace with Israel.


I know where New Jersey is, I live in USA

If the temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem, will you go back to sacrificing goats?

No, I wont go back to sacrificing goats because I have never sacrificed a goat in my life and, if you've never done something, you can't go back to doing it.

Well, I was aborted as a baby and i have never felt better. Lets focus on the real important issues, like the theory that Ontology recapitulates Phylogeny, and Steno's law of superposition, both of which state that the nature of being you are born as depends entirely on the state of fetal developement you are in at birth. In fact, the general progression of any embrionic organism follows a consistant pattern of developement from Amphioxus-like Chordates through Osteichtheyies, amphibious forms, Reptilian forms, and into the final category which may be rodent-like (mammalian ancestry) or bird-like (avian ancestry) depending on totally random chance. In laymans terms, birth can happen at any point during pregnancy, and gestation can complete at any time during pregnancy. that is, the species produced depends entirely on time of birth. Therefore, when performing an abortion, one could just as easily be killing a llama or a snake as a human being. If you don't believe me, look it up. It is now the accepted scientific theory, as layed out in research on fetal progression done in Germany, and written in English by Robert Chambers in "The Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation".

$0.02

Toodles

Well, I was aborted as a baby and i have never felt better. Lets focus on the real important issues, like the theory that Ontology recapitulates Phylogeny, and Steno's law of superposition, both of which state that the nature of being you are born as depends entirely on the state of fetal developement you are in at birth.
With saying that you make the issue to easy for yourself.
The embryo of a snake or of an animal does not have the potential to become a human. But a human embryo has the ability to become that due to its genetical information.
By interrupting in that process (via abortion) you prevent the birth of a human and not the birth of a snake.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/GenChristifori/derailment.jpg

Let's stay on topic people

Let's stay on topic people
I´ve put a question in the Ask an Israeli thread. Since that isn´t the issue here I´m not going to ask it here. But probably there is someone here who wants to comment on it.

Sorry dude, I haven't seen your question. Would you mind reposting it here?

I don't know the Official Stance of the Religion, but all the Jews that I know (And I knows Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews from all over the world) have no problem with the Church or its members. We might not like some of the stuff it's done in the past, but to quote the movie Dogma: "You can't blame the current incarnation of the Holy Church for the mistakes of the past." (I probably butchered the quote, but you get the idea).
Mr. Goldhagen not only wrote a book "Hitler Willing executioners" which sparked a lot of controversy since it was assuming a "collective guilt" but also one about the Catholic church - "The Catholic Church and the Holocaust" which also sparked a lot of controversy since the Catholic church sees it as anti-catholic an bious. It was banned in several countries.

So this is a Ask a thead, hmmmm....

Are all the torahs read from the temples historically old, or do some temples just buy their torah from a discount jewish book seller?

Sorry dude, I haven't seen your question. Would you mind reposting it here?
since it is a question in particular about Israel I don´t want to post it here . But the Ask an Israeli thread is just at the bottom of the page now. If you want to comment on the issue you may do it there.

Well I set up the Ask an Israeli thread, but I can't find it anymore, so post the question here and I'll answer it. That is, if thats ok with you, Klonor...

Encyclopedians, some torahs are centuries old (The one in use at my shul was written in the 1700's) but some are written recently. However, they are all handwritten and identical to all other torahs previously written and currently in existence, so it'd be to hard start a Discount Torah Bookshop (But I have tried)

Kybernetia, I'll look at it in a bit

Well I set up the Ask an Israeli thread, but I can't find it anymore, so post the question here and I'll answer it. That is, if thats ok with you, Klonor...
I´ve bumped it so it should be on the first page no of "General".

Yes, I saw an artical on how they found the lost thirteenth tribe of israel somewhere in the himalayas, but the Jewish hirearchy won't give them a Torah. I thought, couldn't they just go out and buy one?

I've replied to it, thanks Kybernetia

Very interesting thread.

A couple of clarifications:

Hassids
Hassids are the Jewish equivalent of the Amish. They are bound to traditions that were widespread at a certain point in history and they don't change beyond it. They do use technology, so it isn't a perfect analogy, but you get the idea.

Conversion
In order to convert to Judaism, one must study the religion, its practices, etc., for a period of not less than one year, so that one is exposed to the full cycle of the holidays. Most rabbis who are working with the convert will have the convert learn enough Hebrew to at least follow along with the prayers, as well. At the end of the learning period, the convert goes before the 'Bet Din" which is a type of court, really. It's made up of three wise men (I've never heard of women on a bet din) who are often rabbis, but not necessarily. They ask the convert questions about what s/he has learned, why s/he wants to convert, etc. At the end of it, if the convert has given satisfactory answers to all the questions, the convert goes to the mikveh, which is a ritual bath. The convert is immersed in the bath, says some prayers, and emerges as a Jew. Traditionally, the convert takes on a Hebrew name, as well. It is this conversion ritual that is the basis of the Christian baptism, by the way.

For thousands of years, the conversion was just the mikveh part of it, but during the persecutions of the middle ages too many infiltrators were posing as Jews and giving the names of all the Jews to the persecutors, so the rabbis decided to make it much harder to convert. Thus, the year of study was brought in.

Kosher laws (salt)
The kosher laws are, as far as I can tell, the most complex of all Jewish laws. Any product, to be called 'kosher' must be prepared under rabbinic supervision to ensure not only that there are no treif (the opposite of kosher is treif) ingredients, but also that the product never touches any surfaces or processing equipment that has touched treif. Some products are called 'kosher style' as in some pickles, which only means that they are the same product, but not prepared under rabbinic supervision.

Hope this was helpful!

Mr. Goldhagen not only wrote a book "Hitler Willing executioners" which sparked a lot of controversy since it was assuming a "collective guilt" but also one about the Catholic church - "The Catholic Church and the Holocaust" which also sparked a lot of controversy since the Catholic church sees it as anti-catholic an bious. It was banned in several countries.

Yes, but there are several things to keep in mind here:

1- Goldhagen's book (Willing Executioners, not the Catholic one) represents one scholarly viewpoint- a viewpoint that many in his field have distanced themselves from, saying they find it too simplistic. Yehuda Bauer, former director of Yad Vashem (I think) has an excellent refutation of Goldhagen's argument in his book, "Rethinking the Holocaust".

2- Most "average Jews" (as opposed to average Joes) do not really follow Holocaust scholarship, and are probably not aware of the various theories circulating around. I for one am doubtful that a large percentage of world or American Jewry read Goldhagen's book, much less agree with his conclusions. And that's in reference to Willing Executioners, which got a lot more publicity than the other one you mentioned. Also, Goldhagen is not endorsed by any specific Jewish organization. He is giving HIS perspective.

That said, I think that banning a book is a bit much. Then again, I haven't read it.

Any other questions?

i hope you didn't just start another wave of these by digging this one out of its grave

Any other questions?

On cartoons and shitty TV shows, I notice that the jewish characters call people they don't like a "shlameil" (note my phonetic spelling... it's probably not correct).

What does this mean? Can I guess infidel?

Who the hell would order "Kosher" HAM. I have actually had someone order Kosher ham.

Kinda makes me weap that I happen to share the same form as the moron.

I already told you, the gold coin isn't true (Unless you mean some other gold coin, not the one you asked about before). The salt thing is actually up in the air, I really don't see how any type of salt can possibly not be Kosher (Unless it's soaked in pig fat or something like that). I think you're safe eating the non-Kosher labeled salt, since I think it's Kosher anyway.
Actually, the one about the salt could have gone under "ask a vegan vegetarian" or sumfin, cus were the only ones who actually know this stuff, but many salts are refined with animal bones and there is no law requiring salt companies to inform people whether or not they do this, so it is best to be safe. After all, who knows where those bones have been?

UWF, I hope I do. We're not going to breach the cultural gap with silence.

Sodium Hydroxia, I've heard it myself. I don't know what the actual word means (I presume it to be Yiddish) but it's probably something along the lines of "Idiot" or "Moron". Be warned, I'm guessing this purely from context. For all I know it could be "Genius" and they're just using it sarcastically. (Like when you call someone 'Einstein' after they make an amazingly stupid mistake). It's probably not 'infidel' since Jewish law does allow people to be non-Jewish without Heavenly reprisals.

Jim, only an idiot would order Kosher ham. Unless I am mistaking my meats, ham comes from a pig. No pig, at all, is Kosher. He's probably one of the many people who thinks Kosher is only related to the preperation of the food and not its source.

EDIT: Naomisan24, really? Wow. I had no idea. That does explain a lot

On cartoons and shitty TV shows, I notice that the jewish characters call people they don't like a "shlameil" (note my phonetic spelling... it's probably not correct).

What does this mean? Can I guess infidel?Um actually etymologically schemiel means "peace with g*d". It has come to mean a dolt, boob, or even twit - someone who stumbles through life without being very connected to it. Not a very powerful insult. Homer Simpson would be a Schemiel.

question for the jew:

Is the fellow who killed yitzack rabin going to jewish hell?

There is no "Jewish Hell", so he can't go to it. Even if there was, I can't pass judgement since I know nothing about the man who killed Rabin. I'm guessing he's not exactly the most saintly character ever, but I don't know.

There is no "Jewish Hell", so he can't go to it. Even if there was, I can't pass judgement since I know nothing about the man who killed Rabin. I'm guessing he's not exactly the most saintly character ever, but I don't know.

But by killing rabin and smashing up the peace process with palestine, he doomed countless jews to death, and even more countless palestinians.

"Judge not, lest ye be judged."

He did a horrible thing that has caused horrible reprecussions, but the only one who can condemn him to Hell is God and, the last time I checked, I'm not God. I don't know his reasons, his history, or even his methods.

Well, it hasn't been asked but this is just a little random trivia fact that I've wanted to tell people for some time.

For a long time there has been a prejudicial belief that Jews had horns, and strangely this does not come from a belief that Jews are descended from the Devil or any other such thing (Such beliefs have been circulating for quite a while, but have no connection to this topic). This belief, which still survives in some parts of the 'civilised' world, comes not from hatred or propoganda, but from a simple mistranslation.

Moses, one of the most important figure in Jewish history, is also one of the most well known of the Jewish prophets. He freed the Slaves from Egypt, unleashed the Ten Plagues upon those same Egyptians, brought the Ten Commandments to Humanity, and led the Jews to the Promised Land (Although they did have to wander for forty years before reaching said promised land). He actually spoke directly to God, not merely to a Messenger Angel or visions from a dream, one-on-one conversation. He was so darn nifty that he was often described as having Rays of Light shooting forth from his head, and here is where we run into problems.

In one of the many translations of the Torah, it was either from Hebrew to Greek or Greek to another language (I can't remember which), the Rays of Light had a bit of a snag. It turns out that whatever language it was being translated to (or from) was a lot like English, with words that have the same spelling containing different meanings (Ex: I wound the bandage around the wound. The Polish citizen applied a coat of polish). This was one such case, with "Ray of Light" and "Horns" being spelt the same way. Since one of the languages wasn't like that there were no indicators to specify which meaning was in use at the time. End result: Moses ends up looking like some weird Devil creature instead of Gods right hand man.

While most sane people know that Jews in fact don't have horns, the rumor did spread far and wide. In fact, even the great Michaelangelo (the artist) was sucked in, as can be see by the fact that his statue of Moses comes with two very prominent horns smack dab in the middle of his forhead. It's actually a very disturbing thing to look at, gave me the whillies.

Anyway, just a random fact. Now more questions!

On cartoons and shitty TV shows, I notice that the jewish characters call people they don't like a "shlameil" (note my phonetic spelling... it's probably not correct).

What does this mean? Can I guess infidel?

As far as I know there are no infidels in Judaism. Unlike most monotheistic religions Judaism doesn't really go out of its way to convert people. Here's the very ancient explanation of a schlemeil and a shlamazl as given to me in Hebrew school a while back:

Shlamazl is the one who spills his soup, and Schlemeil is the one the soup gets spilled on.

Casically Shlamazl is clumsy and Schlemeil is an unlucky screw up.

Personally, I prefer calling people schmucks or putzes.

Okay, we've already covered the Yiddish insults, let's move on.

Judaism doesn't have a term with the inherent perjorative-ness of "infidel". A non-Jew is a Gentile. There are ethical Gentiles and non-ethical ones. Judaism believes all ethical people- Jews and Gentiles- are rewarded in the afterlife.

There is no "Jewish Hell", so he can't go to it.

Depends who you ask.

http://jewish.com/askarabbi/askarabbi/askr4565.htm

http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_heavenhell.htm

Do you people actually eat a newborn's placenta?

Hehehehe. Someone asked me that question once. A great deal of laughter, that was.

About heaven and hell-
Both are mentioned in the Bible, yet the Bible doesn't specifically say you go to either of them when you die. This issue isn't competely clear in Judaism, and a Jew can choose whatever he/she'd like to believe, I think.

maybe this has allready been asked, but how close are jews and arabs related?
I heard that arab is a sematic language, just like hebrew, and i would be surprised if two peoples living so closely together were not related. Does judaism look at jews and arabs as related people?

Theoretically, we have the same ancestors. Our great, great, great, great, great.............great, great grandparents were the same.

Isaac, son of Abraham (the first Jew) had two sons: Esau and Jacob. Twins, who fought even in the womb. Esau was born first (with Jacob literally grasping at his ankles and coming out second) and thus received priority in the family. It's the first born who inherits the money and power of the family (Which Esau liked) as well as the mission to spread the word of God (Which he didn't like, but thought it was worth it to get the money). Anyway, Esau was a big guy. Muscular and violent. A hunter and a soldier. Also, he's very hairy. Jacob was a thinker. A scholar who spent his time praying and studying instead of hunting out in the woods. Oh, an he's not to hairy (Yes, the hair does play a vital part here).

Jacob and Esau's mother, who saw that Jacob was the wiser of the two and should be the one who receives the blessing of the father and money and mission, decided to make it happen. One day, while Esau was out hunting, she took Jacob, covered him with sheeps wool (to simulate Esaus hairy body) and sent him in to Isaac to request the Blessings of the father. Isaac, by this time old and blind, felt the hair and believed it to be Esau. He blessed Jacob. Esau comes back, is pissed, and after much arguments and such he leaves. Forever. Esau is the father of the Arab race.

So, not only are we related religion-wise but also genetically (if you view Judaism as a race and not just a religion)

Different random tidbit. Noah, the one with the Ark, was not Jewish. He lived before Judaism had even been introduced to the world. He was simply a good person.

In fact, he wasn't even that good of a person. Apparently he was an alcoholic and had a small problem with incest. But, and this is the vital part of the story, everybody else on the planet was a hell of a lot worse.

So, when the entire population of the world is just that damn bad, a guy who only drinks a lot and sleeps with his relatives begins to look like a gold coin. God appoints him with a mission, he carries it out, and then we get the Ark and the two of every animal thing.

(I feel that my many single sentence BUMPs take away from the thread)

I have often thought of converting to Judaism and have attended a conservative synagogue from time to time. My problem is that my beliefs about God could, at best, be described as agnostic. If I were born Jewish this would be no problem, but in going through the conversion process (which I know takes about a year and requires learning Hebrew) is there any point in which a clear declaration of faith is required?

I actually think there is. For you, I'd recommend staying Un-Jewish (If that's a word). For Gentiles (Non-Jews), all God commands is to be a good person. Nowhere does it say that if you're not Jewish you have to keep Kosher, or rest on the Sabbath, or even to observe God as the one and only Lord. A Gentile is free to make their own choices. However, if you are Jewish you are expected to be Jewish through and through. To observe all the laws and to believe wholely in the one God.

In your current stance you can still believe in God and observe the Jewish laws, but not truly believing wont reflect badly upon you in Gods eyes. However, if you convert and still don't believe, then you might have some problems.

Let's get back on topic, shall we?

Somebody ask a freaking question before I shoot somebody!

How does a Jew attain the asurance that he will go to Heaven, or be rewarded in the next life? Is it through prayer, good works, adhearance to the law, or a combination of all of the above?

It's a real combination. Not only is observance to the laws required (Praying on the holidays, staying Kosher, not worshiping a Golden Calf) but also your actions. Mitzvahs (Good deeds) are expected. Giving to charity, helping those with diseases, even if its just smiling at somebody you pass in the street (Which I know from personal experience really does make people feel better) you need to prove yourself worthy of Heaven (or whatever you want to call the 'good' afterlife).

I mean look at it this way, if you pray every single day and praise God constantly, but are secretly a mass murderer, I doubt the prayers alone will get you into Heaven.

Jim, only an idiot would order Kosher ham. Unless I am mistaking my meats, ham comes from a pig. No pig, at all, is Kosher. He's probably one of the many people who thinks Kosher is only related to the preperation of the food and not its source.

Note: there is such a thing as turkey ham and turkey bacon -- perhaps this is what is considered kosher?

Bac-os are, this I know.

Wait, there's Turkey Ham? Really? I was under the impression that Ham referred specifically to pig.

Wait, there's Turkey Ham? Really? I was under the impression that Ham referred specifically to pig.



Are you Jewish by both race and faith, or just by race or faith? My cousin is Jewish but he never goes to the synagouge or prays or anything.

Jewish by birth and by faith. My parents are Jewish, as are their parents, as are their parents, as are their parents, etc. (I could probably keep going with this for a really long time)

I also believe in Judaism. I go to Shul, observe the laws with conservative strictness (If somebody uses a knife to cut some meat that had been used to spread some butter I'm not going to freak out), and do think there is only one God

Esau is the father of the Arab race.

So, not only are we related religion-wise but also genetically (if you view Judaism as a race and not just a religion)

This is true, but there was another, link even earlier, as well. Ishmael was the first father of the Arab race. A generation later, there was Esau, too.

So according to the Bible, there are in fact several blood-connections between the two groups.

Jewish by birth and by faith. My parents are Jewish, as are their parents, as are their parents, as are their parents, etc. (I could probably keep going with this for a really long time)

I also believe in Judaism. I go to Shul, observe the laws with conservative strictness (If somebody uses a knife to cut some meat that had been used to spread some butter I'm not going to freak out), and do think there is only one God



I'm assuming you believe then that Christians worship a different God, or do you believe they worship the same one?

I mentioned Esau as the father because that's where the two split, identifying them as two distinct and independent groups.

I'm assuming you believe then that Christians worship a different God, or do you belive they worship the same one.

Chrsitians (And Muslims for that matter) worship the same God I do. Christians merely believe that Jesus was Gods Son/Messiah (depending upon the division) and Muslims that Jesus was a Prophet with Mohammed being a higher Prophet. We all still worship the same divine being.

Chrsitians (And Muslims for that matter) worship the same God I do. Christians merely believe that Jesus was Gods Son/Messiah (depending upon the division) and Muslims that Jesus was a Prophet with Mohammed being a higher Prophet. We all still worship the same divine being.



Good to hear someone thinks they all worship the same God. I am of the belief that Jesus was the son of God.

I mentioned Esau as the father because that's where the two split, identifying them as two distinct and independent groups.

Except if Ishmael was "the father of the Arab people", wouldn't this imply a split had already occured, and Esau was marrying into that (at this stage, small) group?

Good to hear someone thinks they all worship the same God. I am of the belief that Jesus was the son of God.


If I might turn the tables and ask you a question, do you believe that Jesus himself was Jewish?

Except if Ishmael was "the father of the Arab people", wouldn't this imply a split had already occured, and Esau was marrying into that (at this stage, small) group?

Here is where I smack myself and acknowledge that I have been mistaken. I was actually wrong on every point of my story. Well, the story was correct but not its connection to the Arabs. Ishmael is the Father of the Arabs, Esau has (as far as I can tell) absolutely no connection to the Arabs in any way (except for being the nephew of the Father of the Arabs). When I was looking this up I went one Generation to far (the children of the people I wanted to research) and made an incorrect connection.

Man, I am completely ruining my credibility here. Seriously, I am constantly making mistakes that I really shouldn't on information that is easily discovered and should have been common knowledge.

My bad.

If I might turn the tables and ask you a question, do you believe that Jesus himself was Jewish?



A fair question, he was raised Jewish and hence, Christianity took the Old Testiment with it, among other things but what he spoke of later in life was Christianity and hence he was the founder but the first true followers were his disciples. I hope this answers your question.