Jewish Discussion Thread

[Vazdania]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=We-KRSy64r4

Tell me Ethel... do you celebrate Chanukah?

Whats your opinion of Chanukah, Menassa? Do you resent the fact that it seems to becoming more and more like Christmas???

[Menassa]

Tell me Ethel... do you celebrate Chanukah?

Whats your opinion of Chanukah, Menassa? Do you resent the fact that it seems to becoming more and more like Christmas???

Vus?

My Chanukah has always been less and less like Christmas?

[Ethel mermania]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=We-KRSy64r4

Tell me Ethel... do you celebrate Chanukah?

mrs mermania and the kids like it, so yes.

it really has become the jewish christmas though, and i resent the hell out of that.

[Menassa]

Tell me Ethel... do you celebrate Chanukah?

mrs mermania and the kids like it, so yes.

it really has become the jewish christmas though, and i resent the hell out of that.

What do you mean?

Well I suppose when you do something the 'karaite' way when it's a Rabbinic holiday you may run into problems.

Chanukah to me is not just lighting the Menorah and presents.... there are extra prayers and parties and a deeper sense of spirituality.

And by chronology Christmas is the Christian Chanukah.

[Ethel mermania]

mrs mermania and the kids like it, so yes.

it really has become the jewish christmas though, and i resent the hell out of that.

What do you mean?

Well I suppose when you do something the 'karaite' way when it's a Rabbinic holiday you may run into problems.

Chanukah to me is not just lighting the Menorah and presents.... there are extra prayers and parties and a deeper sense of spirituality.

And by chronology Christmas is the Christian Chanukah.

What do i mean? the kids want the presents, There are not suppose to be presents, just little gifts of chocolate and pennies. now it is a big present and little ones for the 8 days, makes me insane. We call them "year end bonus's" to try and divorce it from the holiday but mrs mermania does not play that way. Harry the Hanukkah elf, wtf?

I always liked Hanukkah, i enjoy the candles and i liked the story, and i liked playing with the dreidel and eating grandma's honey cakes,

Cheap shot noted, and seriously dude is it necessary? or do you just like giving a petty and vain representation of your self and religious beliefs?

[Menassa]

What do you mean?

Well I suppose when you do something the 'karaite' way when it's a Rabbinic holiday you may run into problems.

Chanukah to me is not just lighting the Menorah and presents.... there are extra prayers and parties and a deeper sense of spirituality.

And by chronology Christmas is the Christian Chanukah.

What do i mean? the kids want the presents, There are not suppose to be presents, just little gifts of chocolate and pennies. now it is a big present and little ones for the 8 days, makes me insane. We call them "year end bonus's" to try and divorce it from the holiday but mrs mermania does not play that way. Harry the Hanukkah elf, wtf?

I always liked Hanukkah, i enjoy the candles and i liked the story, and i liked playing with the dreidel and eating grandma's honey cakes,

Cheap shot noted, and seriously dude is it necessary? or do you just like giving a petty and vain representation of your self and religious beliefs?

I was noting how you boast your Karaite-ness and then do things based of the Rabbis and was wondering where you draw your imaginary line.

and you misunderstand the reason for the gifts..... gifts are given because it is a holiday.... on other holidays gifts are given..... the afikomen 'present' for example.

[Ethel mermania]

What do i mean? the kids want the presents, There are not suppose to be presents, just little gifts of chocolate and pennies. now it is a big present and little ones for the 8 days, makes me insane. We call them "year end bonus's" to try and divorce it from the holiday but mrs mermania does not play that way. Harry the Hanukkah elf, wtf?

I always liked Hanukkah, i enjoy the candles and i liked the story, and i liked playing with the dreidel and eating grandma's honey cakes,

Cheap shot noted, and seriously dude is it necessary? or do you just like giving a petty and vain representation of your self and religious beliefs?

I was noting how you boast your Karaite-ness and then do things based of the Rabbis and was wondering where you draw your imaginary line.

and you misunderstand the reason for the gifts..... gifts are given because it is a holiday.... on other holidays gifts are given..... the afikomen 'present' for example.

The ask, and dont take the cheap shot. I draw my imaginary line with what works for my family. I think all religion should be personal, its your relationship with god when no one else is looking that counts.

I get the reason for the gifts, but the gifts for hannukah were suppose to be small, pennies, chocolates, small sweets, but it has become in america a competition with christmas, so jews dont feel left out of the great consumerist pie, and we too can buy giant train sets, and toaster ovens for our friends and family. I dont blame the holiday for that, i blame our society at large

[Menassa]

I was noting how you boast your Karaite-ness and then do things based of the Rabbis and was wondering where you draw your imaginary line.

and you misunderstand the reason for the gifts..... gifts are given because it is a holiday.... on other holidays gifts are given..... the afikomen 'present' for example.

The ask, and dont take the cheap shot. I draw my imaginary line with what works for my family. I think all religion should be personal, its your relationship with god when no one else is looking that counts.

I get the reason for the gifts, but the gifts for hannukah were suppose to be small, pennies, chocolates, small sweets, but it has become in america a competition with christmas, so jews dont feel left out of the great consumerist pie, and we too can buy giant train sets, and toaster ovens for our friends and family. I dont blame the holiday for that, i blame our society at large

I'm sorry if you felt offended..... this was not my intention.

I definetly hear where you are coming from and chalk it up to the reasons small gifts were given would be because of the affluence of the community's at that time... I'm sure the wealthy German Jews gave their children large tri-cycles or whatever was around in that era.

[Ethel mermania]

ITS HOT FUCKING TUNA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXWCgb3RldI

Mrs mermania and I were at this show,

I have been going to hot tuna shows for over 30 years. The first show i went to, we got out of the theatre at 6:30 in the morning. I took mrs mermania to many, many, shows when we went a courtin'. I only found out Jorma was jewish 3 years ago, when i read the article in my local jew paper. It was like the reconfirmation of a love affair. Here is a story about his spiritual journey connecting with his judiasm


http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/Jefferson_Airplane_Guitarist_Searches_for_His_Jewish_Soul.shtml

thoughs? and are they any other jewish artists that you like, that you found out were jewish long after you were a big fan?

[The Realm of God]

mrs mermania and the kids like it, so yes.

it really has become the jewish christmas though, and i resent the hell out of that.

What do you mean?

Well I suppose when you do something the 'karaite' way when it's a Rabbinic holiday you may run into problems.

Chanukah to me is not just lighting the Menorah and presents.... there are extra prayers and parties and a deeper sense of spirituality.

And by chronology Christmas is the Christian Chanukah.

Well there both festivals that have something to do with light. Whether it's actual miraculous oil or the Christian Messiah lighting up the world.

Other than overarching themes, there is basically no difference in ritual.

[Menassa]

What do you mean?

Well I suppose when you do something the 'karaite' way when it's a Rabbinic holiday you may run into problems.

Chanukah to me is not just lighting the Menorah and presents.... there are extra prayers and parties and a deeper sense of spirituality.

And by chronology Christmas is the Christian Chanukah.

Well there both festivals that have something to do with light. Whether it's actual miraculous oil or the Christian Messiah lighting up the world.

Other than overarching themes, there is basically no difference in ritual.

I don't think Christmas has as a special.... I wouldn't call it a law or a custom.... but perhaps tradition?

To eat mainly dairy foods, and other foods cooked in oil..... along with a special game of gambling.

[Samonaemia]

Is it true that no one can convert to Judaism, and that only the Hebrews will go to heaven?

[Menassa]

Is it true that no one can convert to Judaism, and that only the Hebrews will go to heaven?

No, and Goodness no.

Anyone can convert to Judaism (though I don't recommend it) and everyone.... even the wicked will go to heaven.... after of course serving their pre-determined time in hell.

[Samonaemia]

Then can you explain?

[Menassa]

Then can you explain?

see above.

[Menassa]

Is it true that no one can convert to Judaism, and that only the Hebrews will go to heaven?

No, and Goodness no.

Anyone can convert to Judaism (though I don't recommend it) and everyone.... even the wicked will go to heaven.... after of course serving their pre-determined time in hell.

[The Realm of God]

Well there both festivals that have something to do with light. Whether it's actual miraculous oil or the Christian Messiah lighting up the world.

Other than overarching themes, there is basically no difference in ritual.

I don't think Christmas has as a special.... I wouldn't call it a law or a custom.... but perhaps tradition?

To eat mainly dairy foods, and other foods cooked in oil..... along with a special game of gambling.

I didn't phrase it well, I meant to say vast difference in ritual. However Orthodox Christmas is the break of a major fast so feasting, drinking and gambling is the order of the day.

And since Orthodox fasting requires abstinence from oil, meat and dairy. Cheese isn't objected to!

It depends on country and tradition. In Britain Christmas is not as consumerist as in the US......but it's getting that way.

[Samonaemia]

Then why are there about 15 million Jews world wide, but 1.5 billion Muslims, and much more Christians, not mentioning non abrahamic religions?

[Menassa]

Then why are there about 15 million Jews world wide, but 1.5 billion Muslims, and much more Christians, not mentioning non abrahamic religions?

Well so you're counting the millions of Muslims and Christians who were forced to convert?

The thousands of people who were slaughtered and their familes converted out of fear?

are those people true Muslims and Christians?

Also we're not looking for people to blindly follow our religion, I'm not going to lie it has many rules that some people may just not want to keep.

I don't think Christmas has as a special.... I wouldn't call it a law or a custom.... but perhaps tradition?

To eat mainly dairy foods, and other foods cooked in oil..... along with a special game of gambling.

I didn't phrase it well, I meant to say vast difference in ritual. However Orthodox Christmas is the break of a major fast so feasting, drinking and gambling is the order of the day.

And since Orthodox fasting requires abstinence from oil, meat and dairy. Cheese isn't objected to!

It depends on country and tradition. In Britain Christmas is not as consumerist as in the US......but it's getting that way.

That's not a fast, this is a fast:

No eating and drinking.... all day long... including sometimes the night before.

[The Realm of God]

Then why are there about 15 million Jews world wide, but 1.5 billion Muslims, and much more Christians, not mentioning non abrahamic religions?

Well so you're counting the millions of Muslims and Christians who were forced to convert?

The thousands of people who were slaughtered and their familes converted out of fear?

are those people true Muslims and Christians?

Also we're not looking for people to blindly follow our religion, I'm not going to lie it has many rules that some people may just not want to keep.

I didn't phrase it well, I meant to say vast difference in ritual. However Orthodox Christmas is the break of a major fast so feasting, drinking and gambling is the order of the day.

And since Orthodox fasting requires abstinence from oil, meat and dairy. Cheese isn't objected to!

It depends on country and tradition. In Britain Christmas is not as consumerist as in the US......but it's getting that way.

That's not a fast, this is a fast:

No eating and drinking.... all day long... including sometimes the night before.

......We call that Christmas Eve.

Though you can drink.

[Menassa]

Well so you're counting the millions of Muslims and Christians who were forced to convert?

The thousands of people who were slaughtered and their familes converted out of fear?

are those people true Muslims and Christians?

Also we're not looking for people to blindly follow our religion, I'm not going to lie it has many rules that some people may just not want to keep.


That's not a fast, this is a fast:

No eating and drinking.... all day long... including sometimes the night before.

......We call that Christmas Eve.

Though you can drink.

Wimps.

For us there is no eating or drinking! Or 'annointing' sometimes however there is no wearing leather shoes or marital relations.

[Ethel mermania]

What do you mean?

Well I suppose when you do something the 'karaite' way when it's a Rabbinic holiday you may run into problems.

Chanukah to me is not just lighting the Menorah and presents.... there are extra prayers and parties and a deeper sense of spirituality.

And by chronology Christmas is the Christian Chanukah.

Well there both festivals that have something to do with light. Whether it's actual miraculous oil or the Christian Messiah lighting up the world.

Other than overarching themes, there is basically no difference in ritual.

well, jews dont do hannukah mass.
the official holiday is 8 days not 1.
the rituals are completely different
and as you say they are thematiclly different.

[The Realm of God]

......We call that Christmas Eve.

Though you can drink.

Wimps.

For us there is no eating or drinking! Or 'annointing' sometimes however there is no wearing leather shoes or marital relations.

You can't do that for 40 days unless your a young St Simon Stylite, but that almost killed him. Then he felt that, that wasn't hardcore enough so he decided to live on a piller for the rest of his life.

[Menassa]

Wimps.

For us there is no eating or drinking! Or 'annointing' sometimes however there is no wearing leather shoes or marital relations.

You can't do that for 40 days unless your a young St Simon Stylite, but that almost killed him. Then he felt that, that wasn't hardcore enough so he decided to live on a piller for the rest of his life.

I believe it was Rabbi Gamlieil (or some other rabbi) who fasted for 40 days when Rome besieged Jerusalem..... he was so skinny to heal him they made him suck on figs and you could see the juices going down his throat.

[Samonaemia]

Then why are there about 15 million Jews world wide, but 1.5 billion Muslims, and much more Christians, not mentioning non abrahamic religions?

Well so you're counting the millions of Muslims and Christians who were forced to convert?

The thousands of people who were slaughtered and their familes converted out of fear?

are those people true Muslims and Christians?

Also we're not looking for people to blindly follow our religion, I'm not going to lie it has many rules that some people may just not want to keep.

I didn't phrase it well, I meant to say vast difference in ritual. However Orthodox Christmas is the break of a major fast so feasting, drinking and gambling is the order of the day.

And since Orthodox fasting requires abstinence from oil, meat and dairy. Cheese isn't objected to!

It depends on country and tradition. In Britain Christmas is not as consumerist as in the US......but it's getting that way.

That's not a fast, this is a fast:

No eating and drinking.... all day long... including sometimes the night before.

Well your assumption of Islam and Christianity spreading through killing and compulsion, is not very accurate, and if these people were really forced, why didn't they leave those religions, as soon as their military might waned, and here i am referring to Islam, which was spread by Arab armies, the Arabs only effectively ruled over Muslim lands for 2-3 centuries at most, and we know that grudges do last for thousands of years, the Jews are an example, since they were persecuted for a thousand years but they remained Jewish. To add, I would say the greatest contributors to the Islamic faith were actually non-Arab converts, and yes they are real and devout Muslims, and are in many cases, more devout to the religion than Arabs. The country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia with about 200 million followers( well at least the majority of the population is Muslim), and it was never invaded by Muslims, nor were they under pressure to convert to Islam. I know it's a bit long, but the Mongols who conquered the world's largest empire by actually, massacring whole population and submitting them through fear, collapsed after only a few centuries, the same goes for Alexander the Great, but do you see non-Mongols practicing Mongolian shamanism? But ironically, the Mongols themselves who were the invaders, converted to Islam. I'm not trying to make it personal, I just wanted to know more about Judaism through Jews.