Judaism

[Honeygirl]

For those that are interested, I've found some really useful sites that give a good insight into the beliefs around Judaism. It's something I've been interested in for years, and as I live with a Jew (and indeed have been fortunate to share some of the traditions that comes with his lifestyle), I thought it was time to look into the meanings of the Torah.

This site has been especially useful to me - http://www.ny-bridge.com/judaism/index.html

http://www.traditionsofspirituality.com/judaism.html

http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/trans-cultural/judaism/introductory_material.html

I've not searched through all of these sites, but on a cursory level - they seem a good starting place - for those that are interested.

This forum generally has really got me thinking about my own beliefs and if there is indeed one religion that fits into what I believe. Anyway, this thread may sink faster than the Titanic - but it's here for those that fancy a look :).

[ECILAM]

I thought you were either born Jewish or you weren't, and that conversions to the religion itself are pretty rare. I skipped the thread over the ethnicity versus religion question.

[Honeygirl]

I thought you were either born Jewish or you weren't, and that conversions to the religion itself are pretty rare. I skipped the thread over the ethnicity versus religion question.
No - you can convert to Judaism - although it's very hard to do so. It's quite a lot of hard work (depending on who your Rabbi is and how Orthodox the Synagogue of choice is). It's not so much `rare' as a very big commitment to the religion and culture - but it can be done :).

[Superfluous_Nut]

i think that's the reason jews are universally distrusted throughout the world. when you figure most religions are very open and interested in sharing their view of the world -- even to the point of actively seeking converts -- jews have a very closed belief system. it's almost like a secret society. i think this is where the jew paranoia comes from.

growing up in los angeles, i'm pretty familiar with most jewish traditions and holidays. i'm sure somebody from new york is even more so. i do find it interesting how common jews seem to be considering they're only 2% of the population in the states. but then, like i said, i'm in los angeles.

[hasbeen99]

Honeygirl, from what you've shared with the rest of us about what you believe, I should think Buddhism would be a closer fit. :thinking:


Thanks for posting those links! Imma check those out. Judaism is something I've been wanting to dig into a bit for a while now. I want to get a better feel for how far it agrees with the Old Testament, and at what point it parts company.

[hasbeen99]

Okay, from what I've seen so far, the Torah looks like the Old Testament with different names. The Talmud, which looks like a companion to the Torah, looks like a complete listing of the Mosaic Laws with commentary and explanation given for each.

Interesting. I didn't realize the entire Old Testament was included in the Torah. Sounds like the Talmud would be an interesting read, and may give a lot of insight into Old Testament Law and tradition.

[75gitane]

hasbeen99 -

torah does not normally refer to the old testament ... it usually refers to the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch). see:

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Torah_880.htm

this seemed like a pretty good site ... though i guess we'll need some "real" jews to weigh in on this subject!

[ECILAM]

hasbeen99 -

torah does not normally refer to the old testament ... it usually refers to the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch). see:

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Torah_880.htm

this seemed like a pretty good site ... though i guess we'll need some "real" jews to weigh in on this subject!

All the Jewish girls I know are atheists. Otherwise I'd send for help. :)

[Rob]

Thanks Honeygirl. I have started reading the lessons in that first link you posted. The author was an atheist who converted to Judaism. Its interesting stuff. I am only on the second lesson and found this:

"The idea of baptismal water comes from Judaism. When a person converts to Judaism, he submerges his entire body in a "mikvah," a container of water (built with specific requirements) that contains a certain percentage of rain water or other water that hasn't been moved through pipes, and he is reborn. There are many other occasions when we purify ourselves by dunking in a mikvah, to cleanse ourselves spiritually. My Rabbi here in Netanya, Rabbi Tzvi Wilhelm, compared the flood to a mikvah. God purified the world and re-created it by submerging it in water. Later in the chapter, God promises He will never again destroy the world by water. How did God know people would never become so corrupt again? After all, we have free will. The answer is that God improved the world by cleansing it with water, giving it a rebirth so to speak, and thereafter it would be impossible for people to behave so cruelly to each other (although it seems to me we try)."

I had never thought about the flood as rebirth for the earth in the same way as baptism before. Rich stuff. :applause:

[hasbeen99]

I had never thought about the flood as rebirth for the earth in the same way as baptism before. Rich stuff. :applause:

Indeed. :applause: I'll be using that in the baptism class I teach.

[hasbeen99]

hasbeen99 -

torah does not normally refer to the old testament ... it usually refers to the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch). see:

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Torah_880.htm

this seemed like a pretty good site ... though i guess we'll need some "real" jews to weigh in on this subject!

Okay, I was confused by another site that included all the books of the Christian Old Testament. Here's a quote from a pretty good site called Judaism 101 (http://www.jewfaq.org/torah.htm):

But the word "torah" can also be used to refer to the entire Jewish bible (the body of scripture known to non-Jews as the Old Testament and to Jews as the Tanakh or Written Torah), or in its broadest sense, to the whole body of Jewish law and teachings.

[FreakOnA_Leash]

I thought you were either born Jewish or you weren't, and that conversions to the religion itself are pretty rare. I skipped the thread over the ethnicity versus religion question.


A child is not born Jewish unless the mother is Jewish. This is why my mother converted just before i was born to please my Grandparents. I truly think she regrets doing it for that reason, but has never said so.

[Honeygirl]

i think that's the reason jews are universally distrusted throughout the world. when you figure most religions are very open and interested in sharing their view of the world -- even to the point of actively seeking converts -- jews have a very closed belief system. it's almost like a secret society. i think this is where the jew paranoia comes from.
Wow - that's a bit of a harsh judgement there Sandman :(. I think there are a number of reasons why there does tend to be that `restricted' aspect of Judaism, but personally, I've never experienced their disinterest in sharing their view of the world etc. I've always felt very welcomed when I've expressed a genuine interest in learning about their culture and religious belief systems. Not only in this country - but when I've travelled overseas as well. While it's true that it's not `easy' to convert to Judaism, on a cursory level - it's been a very open and encouraging experience (for me) to learn about - so far :).
Honeygirl, from what you've shared with the rest of us about what you believe, I should think Buddhism would be a closer fit. :thinking:.
Actually, to be honest, Buddhism doesn't really `fit' with me. I've read into it a bit - but it never struck a chord, so I gave it a miss. As I've always had a leaning toward learning about Judaism, I thought it might be of interest for those in the same mind.
Thanks for posting those links! Imma check those out. Judaism is something I've been wanting to dig into a bit for a while now. I want to get a better feel for how far it agrees with the Old Testament, and at what point it parts company.
Yes, me too - :). I'm afraid I've slipped behind in the reading and contributions to this thread, and especially the reincarnation thread that I wanted to post on. I'll get to that one later :).