Any questions about Jewish religion, culture, or history?

[Verus_Israel]

i was always very interested in judaism and from a very young age. i don’t know why because i didn’t know any Jewish people or see any synagogues.
as i grew older, i never lost this quest for a deeper knowledge of judaism and what it meant to be jewish and the jewish people, etc.

finally, when i was maybe 51, i took a discovering judaism class to learn more about what Jews believe. it was invaluable. i found peace in the synagogue,
but it only felt like it was half the story. i admire the Jewish people with their perserverence and their obedience to God and his commandments to them.
they are warm and funny. they are very cultural though. even though you can convert, i am not sure the convert ever feels totally Jewish. the rabbis were very kind and knowledgeable and intelligent people. they are helping people through the phases we all go through in life just like the priests do.
they are spiritual guides.

in judaism, i don’t think they believe that we are born sinners? although they do believe that a messiah will come some day, so i am not sure what the purpose is of their messiah that they are waiting for. so maybe you can answer that for me.

Jewish identity really is a mesmerizing phenomenon; I believe it to be miraculous in and of itself. Not being a convert myself, I cannot truthfully testify as to the experience of integrating into a Jewish community. I have many friends who are converts, and who live in many different types of Jewish communities. Some are warmly received and feel “totally Jewish,” while others are stigmatized (to some extent) and feel totally alienated. It is a sad indicator of our communal health as a whole, and many of us are very active in trying to change the “un-Jewish” perceptions and attitudes that pop up among certain groups. It should be noted that according to our law, someone who abuses a convert - physically, verbally, or socially - is in violation of over thirty different biblical precepts.

Traditionally, Jews do not believe that we are “born sinners,” or intrinsically bad, evil, or negative in any way. We look to the Messiah to liberate us from the oppressive societies in which we find ourselves, to restore us to life under the sovereignty of our own law.

Does that help any?

 

[Verus_Israel]

In general, what Psalms do Jews like the most?

I can not speak for most Jews, as I am sure that we each have different selections which speak to us the most.

That said, psalm 126 is very popular.

 

[Verus_Israel]

If I may be bold to ask:

Is it true that attempting to study Ezekiel’s vision of the Merkabah and the Chayyot (ma’asei merkabah) in depth without proper initiation drove men mad?

Excellent question!

I believe that what you are referring to is the allegory (found in tractate Hagiga of the Babylonian Talmud) of the entrance of four individuals - R. Aqiva b. Yosef, Elisha b. Avuya, Shimon b. Zoma, and Shimon b. 'Azzai - into the mystical locality of the Orchard, a metaphor for the contemplation of esoteric material. Of the four, Shimon b. Zoma suffered from psychosis as a result of the experience, losing touch with reality and getting caught in an endless continuum of subjectivity. The Orchard (in Hebrew, Pardes) is linked with the study of the Ma’ase ha-Merqava only insofar as the Ma’ase ha-Merqava is considered to be an esoteric subject not discussed publicly.

I hope that helps!

 

[Verus_Israel]

An interesting thread, Versus. Are you Orthodox? Sorry if you already answered this question.

Thank you! The questions have all been great.

I am not a part of the so-called “five denominations,” but am simply an American Jew.

 

[scipio337]

Thank you! The questions have all been great.

I am not a part of the so-called “five denominations,” but am simply an American Jew.

Thank you for your answers. I’m no Jewish scholar, but I enjoy studying the religion and debating theology and philosophy with my rabbi friend at Aish HaTorah.

I was discussing a certain Jewish scholar’s views regarding an “anthropromorphic G*d”, and what the view of “traditional” Judaism is in this thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=260059&page=18

Any insight into this “G*d has a body” belief in Judaism is greatly appreciated.

 

[anon52328184]

Jewish identity really is a mesmerizing phenomenon; I believe it to be miraculous in and of itself. Not being a convert myself, I cannot truthfully testify as to the experience of integrating into a Jewish community. I have many friends who are converts, and who live in many different types of Jewish communities. Some are warmly received and feel “totally Jewish,” while others are stigmatized (to some extent) and feel totally alienated. It is a sad indicator of our communal health as a whole, and many of us are very active in trying to change the “un-Jewish” perceptions and attitudes that pop up among certain groups. It should be noted that according to our law, someone who abuses a convert - physically, verbally, or socially - is in violation of over thirty different biblical precepts.

Traditionally, Jews do not believe that we are “born sinners,” or intrinsically bad, evil, or negative in any way. We look to the Messiah to liberate us from the oppressive societies in which we find ourselves, to restore us to life under the sovereignty of our own law.

Does that help any?

yes, that was very helpful. thank you. my hebrew teacher admitted that is one thing they need to work on in the community is welcoming the convert.
and she also said that in early judaism, many people did convert. i don’t know at that time if they proslytetized or not. so their concept of messiah is a different concept in a way of the Christian messiah. that is one thing i never got answered while i studied. my hebrew teacher would always tell me that people like me who have felt Jewish our whole life, are said to have been standing with the others when Moses brought the 10 commandments down from the mountain. maybe that is why it has been so hard for me trying to be a Christian. maybe i am meant to be jewish. oh, well. i still believe God considers his covenant with the Jewish people as valid today as when it was first given to them. they are fascinating and mesmerizing and have won many nobel prizes and contribute much to society. i just have problems with some of the liberal jews who don’t hold to some of my beliefs. in fact, that is one things i was disappointed in. i thought the jewish people were so religious, so when i was at the reform temple, i was a little sad at some of the things they do not speak out against. i loved the celebration of the high holidays and the blowing of the shofar. and i think it must have been exhilarating for Jesus also.

 

[Verus_Israel]

Thank you for your answers. I’m no Jewish scholar, but I enjoy studying the religion and debating theology and philosophy with my rabbi friend at Aish HaTorah.
I was discussing a certain Jewish scholar’s views regarding an “anthropromorphic Gd", and what the view of “traditional” Judaism is in this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=260059&page=18
Any insight into this "Gd has a body” belief in Judaism is greatly appreciated.

You’re more than welcome - the pleasure is all mine.

There have always been Jews who have believed that God is corporeal, just as there have always been Jews who have believed otherwise. As a whole, our theology is always evolving, becoming more refined as our knowledge of the universe and ourselves increase. What was revealed at Sinai was not information about the nature of God - something that is beyond our comprehension, I believe - but rather information about the nature of humanity, and what our true potential is, in terms of creating a perfected society. Today, we interpret references in the Bible to God’s “hand” and “arm” and “throne” as metaphors for sublime concepts - yet it is entirely possible that to the Jews living at the time the Tora was written, these signified tangible and distinct phenomena!

Generally speaking, we are not so concerned with things like theology and theosophy. As has been mentioned before, Jews do not traditionally maintain dogma, nor has there ever been a legitimate organization within our society that has the power to formulate theological dogma and impose it upon the people. According to our law, one is restrained from publicly declaring that God has a body, or a partner, or the like; but this is a limitation on behavior, not on belief. The goal of such regulations is to structure the public discourse along certain lines, but never to discourage individuals from formulating their own beliefs.

Does that shed any light on the matter?

 

[churchcamefirst]

Are the Jewish people allowed to say the Wall was built by King Herod or not?

 

[churchcamefirst]

And why would Herod destroy his children then build a house of God?

 

[scipio337]

Are the Jewish people allowed to say the Wall was built by King Herod or not?

What’s your obsession with the Wall?

 

[scipio337]

And why would Herod destroy his children then build a house of God?

Constantine put his wife and eldest son put to death, and had their names removed from all state records. He also brought Catholics from lion feed to legitimacy.

 

[anon52328184]

And why would Herod destroy his children then build a house of God?

maybe you should do some research of herod on your own. i am sure there is much written about him.

i pray someday a third temple will be sitting on the temple mound.

 

[churchcamefirst]

What’s your obsession with the Wall?

No obsession, just like answers.

 

[churchcamefirst]

Constantine put his wife and eldest son put to death, and had their names removed from all state records. He also brought Catholics from lion feed to legitimacy.

But we don’t “pray” to a wall built by Constantine.

 

[anon52328184]

if you can’t understand the significance of one wall remaining from the second Temple churchcamefirst, then i don’t think anyone here can help you.

 

[Barzillai]

Verus Israel,

Thank you very much for sharing your obvious love and knowledge about Jewish religion, culture, and history. I am fortunate to meet you, even if it is on the Internet.

As a Benedictine oblate (a “regular” person living a life patterned on monastic principles in the Rule of St. Benedict which was compiled about 530 CE), I read (some people sing) Psalms as part of a daily liturgy — up to seven times a day — I usually am doing good to pray the Divine Office three times a day, however.

This daily liturgy, also called the Divine Office, appears to have some of its roots in some of the liturgical practices of the Second Temple. Thus, ancient and modern Jewish liturgical practices are topics of interest.

However, my question is only about modern Jewish practices.

QUESTION:

Do any modern Jewish groups pray the Psalms several times a day or follow a daily prayer schedule, ie morning, noon, and night, for example?

I know there is a specific Psalm for each day of the week and the new moon. And I know that some Jewish people pray the Shema twice daily in the morning and evening [The Shema begins, as you know with, “Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One” — Deuteronomy 6:4-9, but also includes Deut. 11:13-21, and Numbers 15-37-41)].

Thank you very much.

 

[Sepharad]

No, Isaiah 53 with it’s minute description of the Suffering Servant, who was despised and rejected, afflicted with pain, and by whose “Stripes we are healed”. He then dies, is buried, yet is revived and suffers all this “for the affliction of my people” (Isaiah the prophet’s people).
All this can be best applied to one person only **YESHUA OF NAZARETH ** The Talmud (Sanhedrin 98) teaches that this chapter refers to Messiah. The Targum of Jonathan begins the passage with the words **Ha yatslakh avdee mashikha, **
**“Behold my servant the Messiah shall prosper”. **Common sense says that it must refer to Jesus Christ.

Daniel 9:26
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
Psalm 2, 2:17
Zachariah 12:10 and so on…
All clear to me it is referred to Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53 does not refer to Jesus, it refers to the Jewish people as a whole.

I’ve explained this many, many times on this forum during the times I was here before.

 

[Spirithound]

There is a very interesting rabbinic homily that states that “in the times of the Messiah…the land of Israel will stretch to encompass the whole earth.” What do you think this means?

Ohh, I get to answer a question now!
Given the state of the world, it seems that this prophecy has not yet come to pass. From a Catholic point of view, the “times of the Messiah” are still upon us, since Jesus said that He will never leave us. Perhaps the rabbi was referring to the endtimes?
On another tack, I think that passage means that God’s law will be recognized as supreme in all the world, expanding Israel from that small (but beautiful ) bit of land, and an ethnically distinct people to all the land, and all the human race.

Ok, my turn
Are you waiting for the Messiah?
And…

The Orchard (in Hebrew, Pardes)

Do you know if pardes/] is the root of the English word “paradise”?

 

[anon52328184]

what do you think of the messianic jewish movement and are you surprised at how it is growing?

 

[hannah_miriam]

My question is what does a gentile considering conversion to conservative Judaism have to do to convert if they were inclined to?
I will guess there is some kind of study process, and a radical lifestyle change. Could you give me a better idea?

First you would need to study with a Rabbi which will include Torah, learn to read Hebrew and attend services every Shabbat( they usually begin at 9am and end at noon afterward there is kiddush (lunch)). Word of caution, the shul I attended was very conservative - no open toed shoes, no sleeveless dresses and definitely no slacks. Head covering was a must. If you don’t where hats there was usually lace coverings at the door for women and always kippot for the men. Men and women are allowed to worship together. You will ask three times to be allowed to convert. They will refuse you until you ask three times. Once you have been accepted into the Jewish faith you will be required to go before a Bet Din and they will ask you questions to determine your conviction to the Jewish faith. If you are female, a visit to the mikvah is required. If you are male, you will have to be ritually circumcised. If you were circumcised in the hospital after birth by the doctor, they will still draw blood.