Answers from an Orthodox Jew

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Bernard Levy said in one of his books (interviews with Michel Houellebeque) that Zionism represents the secular political interests of the Jewish people. Some of them are religious, others are atheists since it’s a secular movement involving political issues it can fit both. Is this correct?
I also get the impression that some Zionists are international involved with the general political interests of Jews around the world (the diaspora) while others are strictly Israeli Zionists, nationalists of Israel in another word. Some of them may not even be of Jewish faith, they are citizens of Israel who support Israel’s interests. Is this correct too?
Also I found on Israeli sites many times the term “Christian Zionism” and I am very confused by what that means. Does it mean Christian self-determination or does it mean with Christians support the Zionists?
 
Mary888 said:
Also I found on Israeli sites many times the term “Christian Zionism” and I am very confused by what that means. Does it mean Christian self-determination or does it mean with Christians support the Zionists?
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Christian Zionists are the product of the Christian Evangelical movement that mistakenly and obsessively believe in ”the rapture”, an believe that Christ’s return can only happen after the “Third Temple” is built in Jerusalem, and anything they can do to support the Sate of Israel “speed’s up” Christ’s return, and according to their gross misinterpretation of Sacred Scripture, their support of the State of ISrael showers Christian Evangelicals with blessings. Thus there is a huge pro-Israel lobby coming from conservative Evangelicals in Washington, who blindly support Israel and its political ambitions, thus any political enemy of Israel must be defeated (i.e. Iraq, Libya, Syria, Iran). It’s pretty nutty; one of its loudest proponents is tele-evangelist John Hagee; obviously the Zionist organization AIPAC (The American-Israel Public Affairs Commitee”, which empowers pro-Israel activists, welcomes them with open arms, especially as these Zionist Evangelical Christians have a great influence with members of Congress. Israel receives billions and billions of U.S. taxpayer money every year, effectively subsidizing the prosperity of Israeli citizens. But even worse, the U.S. fights their wars with our own men and women. Here’s a taste of Christian Zionism:
 
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I’m fairly sure that the typical Jewish Israeli citizen does not believe that most Christian Zionist Evangelicals are acting ONLY or even primarily in the interest of Jews. But, as they say, war sometimes makes for strange bedfellows.
 
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Thanks, JC. I think I’ve seen parts of that interesting series.
 
According to, “The Jewish Book of Why” kneeling used to be part of Jewish services, but was only banned by rabbis because Christians were doing it. What is your take on this practice and the reasoning given for stopping it?

“Jewish Book of Why” 1981 Alfred J Kolatch. Jonathan David Publishers Inc. Page 153. (Purchased recently from a synagogue library.)
 
I’m very interested, but we don’t get BBC. Any idea if it’s on Netflix? What’s the title of the series?
 
I never knew that kneeling existed in Jewish prayer services. Perhaps it did in ancient times. I do know that Jews stand up to worship G-d, as opposed to Christians and Muslims, but whether the practice was changed or banned in reaction to Christian practice, I have no idea. Maybe Moses613 can fill us in.
 
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Yes, I saw some of the series on PBS. We get a lot of imports from BBC, although NOT ENOUGH.
 
I believe prostration was a form of worship by Jews in ancient times as well. Muslims have also retained the practice.
 
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Hopefully this falls under “fair use.” I always hesitate with things like this.
 
I wonder whether this is the general consensus regarding why kneeling and prostration are rarely part of modern Jewish services. I would not be surprised that Jews were influenced by Christians in both directions, just are they were influenced by Greek customs.
 
On a side note, I have both books in the series (unless more have since been released) and they’re a great resource for Jews or Christians who want to learn more about Judaism. The second book is simply titled, “The Second Jewish Book of Why.” I’m discovering how much more true to Judaism is the Catholic church compared to protestant churches I’ve attended (except the Messianic Jewish church, of course.)
 
meltzerboy2 said:
I never knew that kneeling existed in Jewish prayer services. Perhaps it did in ancient times. I do know that Jews stand up to worship G-d, as opposed to Christians and Muslims, but whether the practice was changed or banned in reaction to Christian practice, I have no idea. Maybe Moses613 can fill us in
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard of kneeling on its own as a form of worship. Prostration used to be a common mode of Jewish worship. It was always used in the Holy Temple instead of bowing, as we do today. Nowadays, at least in Ashkenazi synagogues, prostration is only done on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and then only for a brief moment at certain parts of the service. This involves going on your knees first, of course, and then bowing your head to the ground, similar to what Muslims do. Otherwise, during the rest of the year, the most serious prayers are said standing, and bowing at certain places.
I’m fuzzy on why prostration went out of style, so to speak, but it may perhaps have something to do with not appearing to imitate Christian forms of worship. That explanation doesn’t make a lot of sense to me but I haven’t looked into it further.

Incidentally, when we prostrate, we must place some kind of divider (usually a rug mat) between our bodies and the floor, because the practice of idol worshippers in ancient times was to prostrate on a bare stone floor.
 
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In Eastern Orthodox church we can also stand while praying and sometimes it is prefered as a bigger self-sacrifice (when the Scripture is read the priest says “straight, let us take notice”). We have to stand in church during the liturgy (even if today seating is permeated but traditionally we have to stand) and during special prayers dedicated to standing (“akathist” meaning literally to stand). Like I said standing is considered a reverence and a self-sacrifice.
When we beg for mercy we have to kneel with both feet and touch the ground with our head.
 
Roseeurekacross said:
I have the most important question ever.

What’s your stances on Fiddler on the Roof

And

Do you enjoy Neil Diamonds music
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Lol I don’t think I ever answered this. I last watched FotR probably 15 years ago and don’t remember too much. It gets some things right and some things wrong about traditional shtetl life. The least realistic part is Tevye reconciling himself with his daughter marrying a Gentile.

I just remembered the funny line the rabbi said: “God bless and keep the Czar… far away from us!” That’s authentic Jewish humor!

I don’t listen to much popular music in general and I’m not especially familiar with Neil Diamond, but I do like the song America very much.
 
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If someone is a transgendered individual, is this recognized by Judaism? If they are Jewish, and they are going from F to M, are they required to have a bris? And if so, how long after their gender reassignment?
 
I’m not sure there is a definitive answer to your question, but I really hope someone tries to answer it. It is an interesting question. Certainly, not the Orthodox Jews, but maybe in some reformed synagogues they’ve discussed it…
 
I don’t think the transition would be recognized in Orthodox Jewish law. For example, a woman is exempt from certain commandments. Could a man nullify certain of his obligations merely by having surgery done? This also doesn’t take into account the prohibition of castration. Afraid I don’t really know almost anything about this topic so I can’t speak intelligently about it.
 
The Mishnah and Talmud refer to as many as six (some say eight) gender variations. How this is interpreted according to Jewish law is a matter of discussion and controversy. Of course it is: we are talking about Judaism, after all! The writings of Rabbi Elliot Kukla, the first openly ordained transgender Reform rabbi, are a good source of discussion on the topic.
 
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