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What do you think of Jews as a people and Judaism as a religion? I'm not Jewish but I'm very interested in the faith.

No preaching please...I just want straight answers.

2006-12-24 21:02:28 · 20 answers · asked by ? ? 1 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

See, even here, Muslims don't miss a good chance to preach and give me a headache. :-)

2006-12-24 21:12:44 · update #1

20 answers

Ralph, Dave, RW, OnlyHuman:

Great answers! Bravo! It's wonderful to meet such proud, honest, sincere Jews.

As a Jew, I think, we the Jewish people have survived everything that the world has thrown at us, and since we are an eternal people, we will always survive. Even when we were dispersed and lost our homeland, we survived through practicing our religion Judaism. Now we have our homeland back and we have to find a way to make Israel even better than it is.

Judaism is an active religion - it focuses on the here and now - the world we are living in. Our goal is tikkun olam (Hebrew for fixing the world). G-d created an imperfect world and we are His partners in perfecting the world. We have to improve our own characters and also help other people. We have to practice the mitzvot (good deeds) between man and man, and between man and G-d. Can there be any greater work and honor than helping G-d make a better world?

I hope you do not consider this preaching - I am just very happy and proud to be part of the Jewish people. I do hope you will consider becoming a Member of the Tribe. I would be very happy for you to join us.

Mazel Tov (Good luck!)

2006-12-25 02:34:45 · answer #1 · answered by happy inside 6 · 4 1

I did convert. I was raised a Roman Catholic. At age 13, when I got close to my confirmation, I started asking some questions. I could not accept some of the answers, such as the Pope being infallible. Therefore I chose not to be confirmed. For the next 30 years I looked around. I read about Martin Luthor and the various denominations of christianity. I talked to the Mormons. I read up on the Hindu faith, Buddah, Islam and Judaism. I finally chose Judaism and after 3 years of study with several Rabbis, a trip to a mikvah and one other small procedure which I will not mention, I was converted. What I liked about Judaism was that I talk and pray directly to G-d. There are no spiritual intermediaries such as saints, mothers, sons, or daughters. There are also no Jewish leaders that say, "This is the way it is!" Each Jew is expected to study, debate and as a member of the tribe of Israel, "Stuggle with G-d" meaning to understand the Torah, not just follow it blindly because that is what you are "suppose to do." I do not feel my faith is "better" than any other faith, but it is the right one for me. I hope you find the right one for you also, whatever it is you decide.

2006-12-24 21:19:54 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 6 0

Judaism teaches that somebody does no longer could desire to be Jewish to be enjoyed via technique of G-d or to have an area contained interior the international to return decrease back. All a non Jew decide to is word the seven Noachide policies: a million) do no longer homicide 2)do no longer thieve 3) do no longer worship fake G-d's 4)don't be sexually immoral 5)do no longer consume a limb removed from a residing animal 6)do no longer curse G-d 7)set up courts and bring offenders to justice. Any non Jew who observes those policies is seen precise well worth of an area contained interior the international to return decrease back. regardless of the undemanding certainty that easy converts are and consistently have been prevalent in Judaism.

2016-11-23 16:20:46 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Oh, I'd convert without a doubt! I think the Jews and Judaism are just amazing! There's no end in learning about Judaism, there is just so much interesting stuff to learn about it! I'm really interested in it too! Have been for about 4 years (but of course I didn't know so much about it until this year)!

2006-12-27 22:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by -♦One-♦-Love♦- 7 · 0 0

I'm a Jew-by-choice after many years as an agnostic. I love being a part of the community and I'm learning more about life and ethics than I ever thought possible. You don't have to be Jewish to participate in Jewish events and studies. Reform Jews would be happy to teach you whatever it is you're interested in.

http://beliefnet.com/index/index_10005.html
http://www.jewfaq.org/toc.htm
http://www.jewsforjudaism.org/
http://whatjewsbelieve.org/
http://becomingajew.org/
http://www.asknoah.org/
http://judaism.about.com/
http://www.aish.com/
http://www.beingjewish.com/

2006-12-27 10:03:31 · answer #5 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0 0

Conversion has a bad meaning as rejecting an ideal to accept something new. How there can be anything better than Judaism that the Jews must reject it to be converted.
The case of Jews becoming followers of Christianity, or the Hindus accepting Buddhism, is not conversion but it is the confirmation of the older belief on a higher level. There had been many prophecies about Christ, so when the Jews accept Him, they are confirmed; if they don't, they become disobedient to Judaism itself.
If the next step is not necessary, then what is the use of the prophecies from the Prophets about the successive Ones, or about Their own return.

2006-12-24 21:30:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1 4

I considered it, but then I decided I believed in the divinity of Jesus. Later, I went to a Jewish service with another friend who was considering converting. It was nice; it reminded me a lot of Catholic Mass. The congregation was very friendly and welcomed our inquiries.

If you're considering converting, go to service like we did. The rabbi will probably be willing to speak to you about what conversion entails and maybe even be able to connect you with other converts so you can interview them. You may even want to try different branches of Judaism to see which one you agree with most.

2006-12-24 21:15:32 · answer #7 · answered by Iris 4 · 2 0

Judaism is portrayed as an ethnic religion meant for one ethnicity. The fact is that Jews believe the descendants of Jacob are superior to all other humans. The Orthodox Jews seem to discourage conversion, and even if you are able to convert, you will never be a descendant of Jacob.
If you respect Mary and Jesus, you will no doubt be horrified at the slanders that are made against them.
Remember that the chosen people of the Almighty GOD are not limited to one ethnic group, but include everyone who believes in pure monotheism and turns to Him for His Mercy.

2006-12-24 21:13:16 · answer #8 · answered by HF 3 · 0 2

No group is more pragmatic, less interested in converting others to their faith and more respectful of the rule of law. No group values civil rights and individual freedom more. That was a major reason the Nazis wanted them all dead. They would not accept a totalitarian government and they were rich and influential enough to undermine his government . Their concept of God is that of a single indivisible entity and the claim of Jesus that he was God's son immediately caused him to be rejected as the messiah.

To be Jewish is not easy or popular, but if you decide to come to the conversion decision, you are joining an excellent religious philosophy and an outstandingly accomplished group of people.

Happy Chanukah

2006-12-24 21:13:44 · answer #9 · answered by Ralph the Sage 2 · 3 1

Dave and RW have great answers.

I'm Jewish. Always have been and always will be. I believe in it completely. Judaism doesn't encourage people to convert AT ALL! They make the process very difficult so that only the absolutely determined can succeed.
Each person finds a certain way suits them. You have to study. A lot. Learn, ask questions. Come to Israel, find out about our history. There's so much to learn...
There are always going to be people to help you understand things, people to welcome you to their home, people you can trust and befriend.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have or help with anything I can. Feel free to contact me.

Good luck!

2006-12-24 21:44:30 · answer #10 · answered by onlyhuman 3 · 4 1

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