Jewish Discussion Thread ב

[New Zepuha]

If you know Collatis from around these parts, he began talking to me about the Jewish faith and identity. He encouraged me to study into it as I've had trouble fitting in with the Christian crowd so to speak. I found that Reform Judaism fits more with how I view God and I feel is a more accepting socially. It fits better to how I wish to live my life and how I worship God.

I don't know collatis, but it sounds like you have already done your basic reseach, reform judiaism may be what fits best for you. I would suggest talking to the rabbi and going to services, you will find the reform folks very welcoming and instructing you on the finer points of the worship.

I am more of a the law is the law kinda guy, (though I may disagree with others, as to what is the law). The reform are much more of a "spirit of the law" kind of group


Please always feel free to ask questions, members of the thread will answer the best we can, welcome.to the jdt.

Thanks for the advice, I'll get in contact with my local Rabbi.

[Efraim-Judah]

Unlearn all your pagan ways.

Why not accept Messiah still???

You mean become a Messianic Jew? I'd like to study more into why it is the Jews deny Jesus as the messiah before I conclude that. But the local Reform congregation in my area offers a Judaism 101 class for 6 weeks to learn about Judaism, what it means to be a Jew, views on conversion, and I assume after that I need to discuss with the Rabbi about undergoing conversion.

Yes I mean become a Messianic Jew. (Not a Hebrew Roots Christian)

[Menassa]

Unlearn all your pagan ways.

Why not accept Messiah still???

You mean become a Messianic Jew? I'd like to study more into why it is the Jews deny Jesus as the messiah before I conclude that. But the local Reform congregation in my area offers a Judaism 101 class for 6 weeks to learn about Judaism, what it means to be a Jew, views on conversion, and I assume after that I need to discuss with the Rabbi about undergoing conversion.

I have a few links in my signature concerning your question about Jesus.

[Menassa]

Does Judaism have any form of monasticism?

Judaism rejects the notion of monasticism. Jews believe that the physical world can be made holy through our actions, not the rejection of the physical world.

[Jochistan]

Does Judaism have any form of monasticism?

Judaism rejects the notion of monasticism. Jews believe that the physical world can be made holy through our actions, not the rejection of the physical world.

Just curious, Menassa, Do you think Kabbalah counts as a sect of Judaism?

[Menassa]

Judaism rejects the notion of monasticism. Jews believe that the physical world can be made holy through our actions, not the rejection of the physical world.

Just curious, Menassa, Do you think Kabbalah counts as a sect of Judaism?

That's like asking is the Torah a Sect of Judaism or if Talmud is a set of Judaism.

Kabbalah is a collection of knowledge based upon scripture and Tradition.

Are you reffering to the modern sect that is the 'Kabbalah movement?'

[Jochistan]

Just curious, Menassa, Do you think Kabbalah counts as a sect of Judaism?

That's like asking is the Torah a Sect of Judaism or if Talmud is a set of Judaism.

Kabbalah is a collection of knowledge based upon scripture and Tradition.

Are you reffering to the modern sect that is the 'Kabbalah movement?'

The Kabbalah movement. Like the mystics. I don't know that much about them.

[Ethel mermania]

Just curious, Menassa, Do you think Kabbalah counts as a sect of Judaism?

That's like asking is the Torah a Sect of Judaism or if Talmud is a set of Judaism.

Kabbalah is a collection of knowledge based upon scripture and Tradition.

Are you reffering to the modern sect that is the 'Kabbalah movement?'

I dunno, I know orthodox folks that don't hold with kabbalah, it is a mysticism. Mom was raised orthodox, and she was very much into it, my grandfather not so much.

(And for the non jews reading the thread, I do not mean madonna's brand).

[Menassa]

That's like asking is the Torah a Sect of Judaism or if Talmud is a set of Judaism.

Kabbalah is a collection of knowledge based upon scripture and Tradition.

Are you reffering to the modern sect that is the 'Kabbalah movement?'

The Kabbalah movement. Like the mystics. I don't know that much about them.

Are you referring to the Modern Kabbalah movement? I'd hardly count these people as mystics...

[Ethel mermania]

The Kabbalah movement. Like the mystics. I don't know that much about them.

Are you referring to the Modern Kabbalah movement? I'd hardly count these people as mystics...

This is why I seperated them out. Kabbalah is also a way of interpretation that is not standard within judiasm. Which is why I posed my question to you.

[Jochistan]

The Kabbalah movement. Like the mystics. I don't know that much about them.

Are you referring to the Modern Kabbalah movement? I'd hardly count these people as mystics...

I guess. But would they count as a sect? And why wouldn't they count as mystics?

[Menassa]

Are you referring to the Modern Kabbalah movement? I'd hardly count these people as mystics...

I guess. But would they count as a sect? And why wouldn't they count as mystics?

Well, to be honest. When you use the word 'Mystic' it conjures up images of sagely 11th-14th century Kabbalist Rabbis who were educated in their field and renowned for their expert wisdom and careful guidance.

When you say the Modern Kabbalh movement it conjures up images of people trying to look 'cool' and 'edgy' and believing this to be spiritually satisfactory.

[Ethel mermania]

I guess. But would they count as a sect? And why wouldn't they count as mystics?

Well, to be honest. When you use the word 'Mystic' it conjures up images of sagely 11th-14th century Kabbalist Rabbis who were educated in their field and renowned for their expert wisdom and careful guidance.

When you say the Modern Kabbalh movement it conjures up images of people trying to look 'cool' and 'edgy' and believing this to be spiritually satisfactory.

Seconded.

[Jochistan]

I guess. But would they count as a sect? And why wouldn't they count as mystics?

Well, to be honest. When you use the word 'Mystic' it conjures up images of sagely 11th-14th century Kabbalist Rabbis who were educated in their field and renowned for their expert wisdom and careful guidance.

When you say the Modern Kabbalh movement it conjures up images of people trying to look 'cool' and 'edgy' and believing this to be spiritually satisfactory.

What about Chasidic Jews? Aren't they technically Jewish Mystics/Kabbalists as well?

[New Zepuha]

I guess. But would they count as a sect? And why wouldn't they count as mystics?

Well, to be honest. When you use the word 'Mystic' it conjures up images of sagely 11th-14th century Kabbalist Rabbis who were educated in their field and renowned for their expert wisdom and careful guidance.

When you say the Modern Kabbalh movement it conjures up images of people trying to look 'cool' and 'edgy' and believing this to be spiritually satisfactory.

This is true. I've noticed a lot of 'trendy' teens around me bragging about how Kaballah changed their life. I don't like to judge, but I have a thing against it being treated like a trendy thing to do.

[Menassa]

Well, to be honest. When you use the word 'Mystic' it conjures up images of sagely 11th-14th century Kabbalist Rabbis who were educated in their field and renowned for their expert wisdom and careful guidance.

When you say the Modern Kabbalh movement it conjures up images of people trying to look 'cool' and 'edgy' and believing this to be spiritually satisfactory.

What about Chasidic Jews? Aren't they technically Jewish Mystics/Kabbalists as well?

Some can be sure, but I would not generalize an entire community of Jews and call them Kabbalists.

A Kabbalist is a person well studied in Jewish scripture and steeped in both mind and moral in Jewish life.... certainly not every Chasidic person is like this.

[Collatis]

I don't know if you have seen this yet, or if it has already been posted: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/us/un ... olicy.html

So what do you guys think of this? It is not really surprising, considering how accepting Reform Judaism is, but it is exciting to see it made official for me (a former Reform Jew, current secular Jew).

[Menassa]

I don't know if you have seen this yet, or if it has already been posted: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/us/un ... olicy.html

So what do you guys think of this? It is not really surprising, considering how accepting Reform Judaism is, but it is exciting to see it made official for me (a former Reform Jew, current secular Jew).

Seems legit.

[Ethel mermania]

I don't know if you have seen this yet, or if it has already been posted: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/us/un ... olicy.html

So what do you guys think of this? It is not really surprising, considering how accepting Reform Judaism is, but it is exciting to see it made official for me (a former Reform Jew, current secular Jew).

Not really surprising, I would think the reconstructionist's would do the same.

[Icerael]

Hey there! :3

[New Zepuha]

I don't know if you have seen this yet, or if it has already been posted: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/us/un ... olicy.html

So what do you guys think of this? It is not really surprising, considering how accepting Reform Judaism is, but it is exciting to see it made official for me (a former Reform Jew, current secular Jew).

Not really surprising, I would think the reconstructionist's would do the same.

We said the same thing last night on our NSGS IRC.

[Mahdistan]

Question I'm sure has been asked many times before; are there any sects which do not permit religious converts from joining? I know heritage plays a big role in Jewish identity, so would a person of completely non-Jewish background ever be turned away by any of the sects?

[Menassa]

Question I'm sure has been asked many times before; are there any sects which do not permit religious converts from joining? I know heritage plays a big role in Jewish identity, so would a person of completely non-Jewish background ever be turned away by any of the sects?

Syrian Jews are usually wary of converts due to negative experience in the past.

However, for Normative Judaism converts are not seen as different than any other Jew.

[Mahdistan]

Question I'm sure has been asked many times before; are there any sects which do not permit religious converts from joining? I know heritage plays a big role in Jewish identity, so would a person of completely non-Jewish background ever be turned away by any of the sects?

Syrian Jews are usually wary of converts due to negative experience in the past.

However, for Normative Judaism converts are not seen as different than any other Jew.

Are Syriac Jews considered a different sect, or have different teachings than mainstream Jews, then? If not them as a group specifically, what sect do most Syrian Jews follow?

[Menassa]

Syrian Jews are usually wary of converts due to negative experience in the past.

However, for Normative Judaism converts are not seen as different than any other Jew.

Are Syriac Jews considered a different sect, or have different teachings than mainstream Jews, then? If not them as a group specifically, what sect do most Syrian Jews follow?

Syrian Jews are Jews like anyone else, they range on a spectrum from religious to irreligious (Syriac is a language). A 'Syrian Jew' is nothing more than a geographic descriptor.