Questions about Judaism

[civ2]

Revivng the thread. (Post to be deleted later. )

 

[JoeM]

Thats not true. God's opinion has no relavence in everyday choices. He won't choose whether you buy an apple or a kiwi. The bible doesn't say which one he likes better!

I don't see how this applies, confession of Faith is not an everyday choice.

If a Jew were to tell me he has faith in God, I would believe him, although as a Christian I'd also believe that he has some misconceptions/misinterprations of God.

However, if I say I believe in God - you, as a Jew, are telling me that I don't?

What do I gain from saying I believe in God? Nothing. So why would I lie?

 

[JoeM]

Question:

How would you describe your relationship with God in everyday life?

 

[civ2]

JoeM
Whom are you asking?
I'll answer anyway.
I think I wrote something already.
The main idea is that Judaism is not a "leisure time" religion - it concerns every single situation in life.
Unfortunatelly I myself am not yet fully incorporated into the Jewish life I'd like to live...
But those things that I do - I do being proud of being a Jew.

God is the "Supreme Power" and yet He's somewhat "Father" to a Jew.
It means you must fear Him but you must also love Him - which are two different things.
I'm quite sure YOU guys ("Atheists") miss exactly the "love" side of "relationship with God" - the only thing you think about (and therefore make wrong ideas) is "fear" - and since you all feel so "American" ("I'm FREE - what does that someone wants from me?!?") it makes you dislike the religion.
Would you also consider "loving God" I'm sure you'd change your mind.
It's all somewhat similar to the relationships with your parents - if you are only afraid of being punished and don't love them - you get nowhere...

 

[aneeshm]

Does Judaism accept converts ? Does it encourage conversion ?

 

[civ2]

aneeshm
Yes. No.
The point (already mentioned by someone) is that Jews don't "need" to have more Jews UNLESS a person feels himself that he must become a Jew.
Non-Jews have their "7 Noahic Laws/Commandments" and by fully following those they can become "righteous Gentiles" (or whatever the exact term).
Non-Jews DO NOT have to become Jews to live according to God's Will.
And Jews have 613 Commandents - which is many times more than the non-Jews.
So it's "unwise" (from the material view) for a non-Jew to convert.
It's not required from them.
The only exception is when a person FEELS attached to God and wants to be closer to Him (by fulfilling more of His Will) - then such person might convert "for the sake of Heaven" (this one is an exact term - means truly and fully from love for God).
So again - converts are acceptable but not encouraged.

History point:
King David's greatgrandmother Ruth WAS a convert from Moav!!!
And the Messiah himself will be a descendant of King David!

 

[soul_warrior]

Does Judaism accept converts ? Does it encourage conversion ?

my limited knowledge here says that judaism DOES ACCEPT CONVERTS.

it also makes it VERY DIFFICULT to convert.
some say that it does not encourage converts, or that if anyone really wants to become a jew, they should make an effort at it (unlike catholics, that need only be baptized?_)

i believe the official view is that any convert is welcome aslong as they are willing to make it a long term commitment.
thus it takes Blood, Sweat and Tears or time, effort and circumcision.

Civ2 - you probably know more, so care to elaborate?

 

[JoeM]

JoeM
Whom are you asking?
I'll answer anyway.

I was a little brief, but the thread is to ask questions on Judaism, so my question is to anyone who can answer from a Jewish perspective.

I think I wrote something already.
The main idea is that Judaism is not a "leisure time" religion - it concerns every single situation in life.
Unfortunatelly I myself am not yet fully incorporated into the Jewish life I'd like to live...
But those things that I do - I do being proud of being a Jew.

God is the "Supreme Power" and yet He's somewhat "Father" to a Jew.
It means you must fear Him but you must also love Him - which are two different things.

Although I do anyway, why do you say one must fear Him?

I'm quite sure YOU guys ("Atheists") miss exactly the "love" side of "relationship with God" - the only thing you think about (and therefore make wrong ideas) is "fear" - and since you all feel so "American"....

I understand your sentiment, but I, as a Catholic Briton, understand God's love. Indeed I believe God is Love.

 

[civ2]

soul_warrior
Ok.

One more thing is that the reason for converting MUST NOT be ANY material "privileges" gained by it.
Neither money nor marriage.
There's no such thing as "converts because of love".
Loving a Jew[ess] is no reason for conversion (it won't be accepted and btw in any case such love is futile and will ruin both. ).
A true convert does that ONLY and SOLELY due to his love for God and nobody else.
Please, don't tell me about "reform coversions" - those are often just "jokes".
I mean they don't make people really Jewish but mislead them and cause LOTS of trouble for others.

BTW is it converSion or converTion???

 

[civ2]

JoeM
"Fear" is the direct result of true awe and respect which is obviously due to God.
Maybe awe would be better word.
I'm not sure if I agree with "God is Love" - depends on the real meaning of both the quote and the definition of love.
But, yes, He LOVES us all - definitely.
An example that He loves EVERYBODY (I hope this won't lead to further misunderstandings ):
When Jews were redeemed from Egypt and then crossed the see - they were so happy to be free that they wanted to sing a song of praise to God.
Seeing this, the angels wanted to join them.
But God "told" them: "How can you sing a song of praise when my creations are dying?"
He referred to the drowned Egyptians!
God Himself decided to punish them and He Himself executed them in the see.
And still He was "unhappy" because He had to destroy some of His creations.
So angels were allowed to sing praises only after men sang them - angels joined the women.
A minute more - and they (angels ) wouldn't be allowed to sing at all.
This episode definitely shows us that God loves everybody - even "unworthy" ones.

 

[JoeM]

Non-Jews DO NOT have to become Jews to live according to God's Will.

That's interesting, how do non-Jews have to behave?

 

[civ2]

JoeM
http://www.barmitzvahs.org/dj/judaism/gentiles.php

According to traditional Judaism, G-d gave Noah and his family seven commandments to observe when he saved them from the flood. These commandments, reffered to as the Noahic or Noahide commandments, are infered from Genesis Ch. 9, and are as follows: 1) to establish courts of justice; 2) not to commit blasphemy; 3) not to commit idolatry; 4) not to commit incest and adultery; 5) not to commit bloodshed; 6) not to commit robbery; and 7) not to eat flesh cut from a living animal. These commandments are fairly simple and straightforward, and most of them are recognized by most of the world as sound moral principles. Any non-Jew who follows these laws has a place in the world to come.

That's what I easily found by Search.

 

[aneeshm]

JoeM
http://www.barmitzvahs.org/dj/judaism/gentiles.php

That's what I easily found by Search.

So , in the Jewish worldview , the Hindus ( who are idolaters ) have no place in the world to come ?

 

[JoeM]

Do you have you're own opinion?

 

[civ2]

aneeshm
I'm not very knowing about Hindus - but whoever is an idolator - then it's up to his own free will to gain or lose anything...

 

[civ2]

JoeM
On what?

 

[JoeM]

Well, you used a search engine to answer the question, rather than your own opinion.

 

[civ2]

JoeM
Nope.
I used the Search to provide an online source - that's all.
And in that case there can be no opinions - it's like having an opinion whether the Sun shines at day and not at night.
It's all definition.
(Day is the time WHEN SUN SHINES. )

 

[civ2]

Revivng the thread.
(I want this thread to "do its job" as long as possible.)

 

[civ2]

Reviving the thread ONCE again.
I'm gonna "let it live" as long as I can since I think it's needed but I don't want to create new ones.
Please no offense.