Questions about Jews, Judaism and so on.

[civ2]

Formaldehyde
You're talking about a limited group of people, even more so - a work collective.
There's a big chance all this has nothing to do with anything specifically Jewish.
And speaking of privacy - did you invite them too?
(Yeah, I would EXPECT from a Jew to act accordingly - but I myself wouldn't "shun" him/her but rather kindly encourage to improve. Again - you're talking about just a single collective.)

useless
I think I said it because of his comments on "Jews ruling America" or something.
Speaking of circumcision.
It's one the things only God knows WHY and WHAT FOR.
There are some partial answers - but the general one is CAUSE GOD TOLD US SO.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Why are the Jews the chosen people? Luck of the draw?

What special rights does it carry to be the chosen people?

useless
I think I said it because of his comments on "Jews ruling America" or something.

Can you give a quote where he says that? Accusing people of antisemitism should not be done lightly, so I'd like to see what you base this on.

 

[aronnax]

Do you think that the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque should be ceded to the UN and be established as International Territory?

 

[useless]

Can you show me where he said that phrase? Your second response seems to be more of an excuse. The specific practise in question is extremely questionable and possibly even paedophilic given what happens in it.

 

[civ2]

useless
HERE.
And this is antisemitism because it causes hatred. (And also it's 99% NOT TRUE.)
...
About circumcision.
I like this phrase (a loosely translated quote): "Spoiled thoughts are born in a spoiled mind".

Ziggy
Quite a simple answer.

According to the Torah, Israel's character as the chosen people is unconditional as it says in Deuteronomy 14:2, "For you are a holy people to YHWH your God, and God has chosen you to be his treasured people from all the nations that are on the face of the earth."
...
Most Jewish texts do not state that "God chose the Jews" by itself. Rather, this is usually linked with a mission or purpose, such as proclaiming God's message among all the nations, even though Jews cannot become "unchosen" if they shirk their mission. This implies a special duty, which evolves from the belief that Jews have been pledged by the covenant which God concluded with the biblical patriarch Abraham, their ancestor, and again with the entire Jewish nation at Mount Sinai. In this view, Jews are charged with living a holy life as God's priest-people.

aronnax
You seem to continue asking question at a wrong address.
Good luck anyways.
Maybe someone else will answer you.

 

[aronnax]

aronnax
You seem to continue asking question at a wrong address.
Good luck anyways.
Maybe someone else will answer you.

I'm asking of your point of view as a Jew on that questions.

But here is a more specific question on Judaism that I always wondered about.

"Why break a glass bottle during weddings? And the chair dance thing."

 

[useless]

Obviously it's my own dirty mind's fault for thinking that a man sucking a male infant's recently circumsised sexual organ is paedophilic.

Also Freerepublic link

 

[Formaldehyde]

There's a big chance all this has nothing to do with anything specifically Jewish.

I know it's not a matter of being specifically "Jewish". I have numerous Jewish friends, many of whom I have socialized with both at work and outside of work. I even had the honor of holding one of the chuppah poles at a friend's reform wedding.

And speaking of privacy - did you invite them too?

Yes, I did. That is how I found out about this issue when the person respectfully declined. I was then specifically told that it was contrary to their religious beliefs to openly socialize with goyim. Mind you, the ones I am specifically referring to were Hasidic. Perhaps that is where the restriction arises. There was also a very attractive woman who was orthodox whom I tried to date. But I was told that it was out of the question. That her father would never stand for it.

(Yeah, I would EXPECT from a Jew to act accordingly - but I myself wouldn't "shun" him/her but rather kindly encourage to improve. Again - you're talking about just a single collective.)

They didn't fire him or cause him to be fired, if that's what you mean. They were just clearly shunning him for openly violating their beliefs.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So, you chose yourself to be God's chosen people. That's convenient.

And dude, if that is antisemitism, then you are just as, or even slightly more guilty towards atheists.

 

[civ2]

useless
YOU said it, you see.
It all depends on what a PERSON thinks.
You wouldn't "attack" a doctor doing the same for the sake of a KNOWN-TO-YOU medical procedure, would you?
Actually, there's no real difference between both cases.

aronnax
It's one of misconceptions that "secular" Jews have.
It's NOT for "joy" - quite the contrary.
It's the way we reflect on the fact of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Um, I don't know much about chair dance - though I've seen something that could be named so.
I think there must be areason there - but I don't know now.

 

[aronnax]

It's the way we reflect on the fact of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Expand on that. Me interested

*Could you quote or reference the specific thing you are responding too? It's a bit confusing.

 

[useless]

Doctor's don't usually suck male infant's sexual organs. I'm willing to bet many people would share my belief if they knew what happens in this "ritual".

 

[civ2]

Formaldehyde
Even though you might not like this - but Jews are NOT supposed to intermarry.
And all "separation" is just in oder not to fail this - nothing personal.
Considering nowadays rate of assimilation - it's self-explanatory.
Also, I really doubt your home provides kosher food.
Though, all this shouldn't be a problem for normal person-to-person FRIENDSHIP.
Again - you're talking about a specific case - it's NOT any "rule".

Ziggy
Since you don't believe in Torah being Divinely given - I can't bring you any proves since you will reject them the same way.
Whatever.

useless
I'm sticking to my saying.
Only perverts think about perversion.
And it's not about you personally - or anyone else specific.
Just the society is supporting pervertion to the extent that it forces itself into people's minds...

aronnax
Temple in Jerusalem.
Breaking the glass.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Joecoolyo
It wasn't meant as an insult, definitely.
So sorry if it looked like one...
But for me - being TRULY Jewish (fulfilling the PURPOSE of being Jewish) can't be accomplished without Torah values.
Sorry, but that's what I think.
I don't "look down" on "cultural" Jews - but I highly disapprove their attitude.
This reminded me of a joke:
Once there was a guy who bought a Jumbo jet.
And used... for breeding rabbits!
"Well, the rabbits feel cool there."
Yeah, they do - but is THIS the PURPOSE of a JET???
Same goes on being Jewish.
There's SO much we can do by revealing our vast spiritual abilities - and yet we're happy enough to "breed the rabbits"...

Well, my position is that, instead of just becoming an atheist, I'd stay Jewish for the culture, so that it won't die out. I don't want a culture that's been through such hardships, and what my ancestors fought so hard to keep alive wither away just because I no longer believe in the religious aspect.

Plus I enjoy Jewish culture too much to give it up

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesed-El_Synagogue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghain_Aboth_Synagogue
The synagogues in question.
I wanna see them. But they won't let me. Even though it is a national monument, the guards won't let me go inside them. While anyone (during non-prayer times) can enter any temple, church or mosque, it seems like the Singapore Government and the Jewish Community decided to close it all off. Is there a cultural reason for this I don't get?

Huh, that rather strange. I thought it was a general rule (at least for Jews here in America) that anybody can walk into a synagogue whenever they want, regardless of they're religion. It was one of the hospitality rules (if I'm recalling right) in the Tanach.

 

[useless]

Nice excuses. It is clear to everyone else however, that it is a s disgusting and disturbing practise defended by only the most orthodox of Jews.

 

[civ2]

Joecoolyo
Well, Jewish WEDDINGS are part of the culture too.
So I truly wish you to find a nice JEWISH girl and found a nicely-cultured JEWISH home.
(Sorry if you did already - then just post-factum Mazal Tov. )
(Oh, and if you're a girl - replace "girl" with "boy", obviously. )

 

[Joecoolyo]

Joecoolyo
Well, Jewish WEDDINGS are part of the culture too.
So I truly wish you to find a nice JEWISH girl and found a nicely-cultured JEWISH home.
(Sorry if you did already - then just post-factum Mazal Tov. )
(Oh, and if you're a girl - replace "girl" with "boy", obviously. )

Well, you're not too late, I'm only 16 (plus I'm a boy).

But I do hope to one day find a girl (or course preferably Jewish, though to me, it doesn't really matter all that much, as long as she isn't a religious fanatic I'm fine ).

 

[civ2]

Joecoolyo
Good luck then.

OK, I'm leaving until Wednesday!
The thread is left open for questions and REASONABLE discussion.
Good luck to all.
Also an easy fast to those that will.
And let's hope that the darkness should finally turn into light.
Redemption can come in a blink of an eye.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Even though you might not like this - but Jews are NOT supposed to intermarry.
And all "separation" is just in oder not to fail this - nothing personal.

I dodn't take it personally. I merely stated that it frequently occurs, at least with orthodox Jews.

Considering nowadays rate of assimilation - it's self-explanatory.

I'm one of those odd people who sees nothing inherently wrong with assimilating in this manner. Another of my good friends has a Catholic father and a Jewish mother. It was apparently quite heroic and traumatic for them to get married back then due to all the pressure from family and friends.

Also, I really doubt your home provides kosher food.

Nor do I have 2 sets of china. I wasn't expecting to feed them in my home. But New York City isn't exactly short of kosher restaurants. You don't have to walk far in any direction to find one.

Again - you're talking about a specific case - it's NOT any "rule".

Isn't what you just described a "rule"? That due to this fear of assimilating by intermarrying that quite deliberate segregation frequently occurs?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Ziggy
Since you don't believe in Torah being Divinely given - I can't bring you any proves since you will reject them the same way.

I didn't ask for proof, I asked a question, got an answer and commented on it.

Thanks.