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As to who defines who is a Jew, any person who wants to join the Jewish people ought to be able to.
I had a question about biblical support for Jewish conversion but before asking my question I did a little research and ran across a few articles which answered it and so I'm going to share them here.
I had a question about biblical support for Jewish conversion but before asking my question I did a little research and ran across a few articles which answered it and so I'm going to share them here.
My wife, and as a result, THE KID are both Jews. My wife (100% house of David) is an atheist "cultural Jew" and THE KID, I'm not sure about. But one thing that pisses me off to no end is the having to take part in the various Jewish holidays where no one seems to take the rituals seriously. For me, if you are going to have these religious observances, culturally or not, they need to be approached with some degree of seriousness and solemnity. My wife accuses me of being an old Hassid, which isn't at all true despite my affection for Fedoras and long beards.
My closest friend is Jewish and related the following: one may go to a Rabbi and seek conversion. He will turn you away. If you return, again he will turn you away. If you return, he will speak with you and if you remain serious, you may begin the conversion process.
She said this practice hails from the belief shared by all Jews, that there is nothing superior about their religion, and there is no need for conversion. If you continue to feel the desire to convert after being turned away twice, then they will accept you into their faith and you will become one of them.
Beautiful and inspiring! I am always moved when I learn that a religious group holds such ideas. So different from others who think their way is the only way. I think all ways are "the way." Like the teachings of Taoism: Taoism means "The way." "Flow like the watercourse way of the Tao."
What does it mean to be Jewish? How is a Jew defined by a nationality, ethnicity, universal or ethnic religion, history, personal beliefs, or what? The current controversy over what it means to be Jewish has political, economic, and religious ramification. What does it mean to you to be Jewish?
Just for the record, there isn't such a big "controversy." Not among those of us who happen to be Jewish, anyway.
My wife, and as a result, THE KID are both Jews. My wife (100% house of David) is an atheist "cultural Jew" and THE KID, I'm not sure about. But one thing that pisses me off to no end is the having to take part in the various Jewish holidays where no one seems to take the rituals seriously. For me, if you are going to have these religious observances, culturally or not, they need to be approached with some degree of seriousness and solemnity. My wife accuses me of being an old Hassid, which isn't at all true despite my affection for Fedoras and long beards.
lol! Well we have that in my community. Religious Jews, cultural Jews, atheists, theists. We meet somewhere in the middle.
Although the highlight of our community activities are the holidays and the rituals.
But I will tell you when I converted the rabbi I worked with who is not affiliated but has a very traditional/spiritual side gave me a painting of a traditional Jew wearing a traditional talit, holding a lulav and etrog. Long white beard.
Moshe (his name) hangs over our fireplace to remind us of tradition.
My closest friend is Jewish and related the following: one may go to a Rabbi and seek conversion. He will turn you away. If you return, again he will turn you away. If you return, he will speak with you and if you remain serious, you may begin the conversion process.
Sort of like Tyler Durden?
As someone who isn't Jewish I think the English language needs a term that is all inclusive for those who are Jews by religion or by matrilineal descent even if they don't practice the faith, and reserve the term "Jew" for those who follow the Jewish faith. Just my opinion.
As someone who isn't Jewish I think the English language needs a term that is all inclusive for those who are Jews by religion or by matrilineal descent even if they don't practice the faith, and reserve the term "Jew" for those who follow the Jewish faith. Just my opinion.
So only those who practice Judaism ought to be called Jews and everyone else needs to have a different name?
so only those who practice Judaism ought to be called Jews and everyone else needs to have a different name?
No, the broader term would include both religious Jews and people who are Jewish through matrilineal descent but don't believe in the Jewish faith. An all inclusive term (Hebrew perhaps?), and then a term that refers specifically to the religious.
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"Flow like the watercourse way of the Tao."
