Someone claiming to be jewish was telling me that they dont believe in sin, heaven or hell, and that sex before marriage is encouraged.
can someone please explain the jewish faith to me?
2006-12-25 14:27:58 · 8 answers · asked by latenightdrives 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Try searching some of these sites...
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/
2006-12-25 14:43:08 · answer #1 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure where this person was coming from, but some of those are lies. Others depend on the Jew.
Orthodox (the most religious) Jews certainly do not encourage sex before marriage; quite the opposite. Reform (the least religious) Jews may be generally much more okay with pre-marital sex, but they definitely don't encourage it.
"Sin" is a loaded word, and it has a lot of connotations. While Judaism may not label things as sins as such, there are certainly rules about what one can and cannot do, and breaking these rules could be considered a sin. We're talking about the religion that has the Ten Commandments (such as telling people not to commit murder and adultery).
Heaven and hell are also loaded words that have specific meanings based on the religion. Judaism does have a heaven, so to speak, a life after death- but it differs than the heaven described by Christianity or other religions. In fact, Jews themselves have many different ideas of what heaven might be like, because they believe that their god didn't ever really describe heaven. Many Jews do not believe that there is a hell. The closest Judaism comes to having a hell is a place where they repent their sins before they go on to be with god in "heaven".
Of course, I'm not speaking for every Jew, and some Jews probably feel very differently about these things.
2006-12-25 14:43:45 · answer #2 · answered by jenjubatus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This person was lying, taking things that have an element of truth and messing with you about them.
OK - here are the facts (Judaism is a very extensive religion...try www.jewfaq.org for more answers).
Jews believe in many different types of sins (in Hebrew, we have countless words to describe different types of sins -- 4 basic categories and then many smaller ones). We have atonement, reparation, repentance...loads.
We have a notion of eternal reward and punishment but not the fire and brimstone hell or the puffy clouds of heaven. Heaven and hell are defined by their proximity to God. If you are bad, you need to be separated and feel that loss and regret what you have done to deserve it. After a period of such suffering, you are ready to be back in God's presence ("heaven").
Sex before marriage is very strongly discouraged. It is considered immoral and inappropriate.
If you have questions, don't take "someone's" word for it. Ask a rabbi at www.askmoses.com or find a local rabbi.
2006-12-25 14:37:41 · answer #3 · answered by rosends 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Glad you qualified your statement, "Someone claiming to be Jewish." He is blowing smoke and in claiming to be Jewish, is trying to put all Jews in a bad light. Jews do not encourage sex before marriage. As to the rest, that would be best discussed with a Rabbi face to face so you know you are getting the true facts and not more smoke.
2006-12-25 14:32:17 · answer #4 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honey either this guy isn't Jewish or he is trying to fool you BIG TIME, He is bad news I am Jewish my brother is a rabbi and I can tell you we believe in sin, Heaven and I NEVER had sex before I married my husband. You know what this joker wants from you Be careful
2006-12-25 14:38:15 · answer #5 · answered by devora k 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
theres no Original Sin in Judaism, but there is sin.. but its seen differently in general than it is in christianity.
theres no eternal hell in Judaism either, but there generally is a Heaven, its just that Judaism is not about the afterlife, but about this life. we trust God with the rest.
Sex before marrige is NOT encouraged... thats utter nonsense.
Beef, lol, nonsense. disgusting.
for a more extensive answer, I support L'Chaim's list of links. very good.
2006-12-25 15:05:43 · answer #6 · answered by RW 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No doubt you are.
There never was a religion called Judaism nor a Jewish faith.
Judaism is not mentioned in any Scripture.
Jews were 1 of 12 tribes who abandoned tribalism under Moses and became Yahuudi.
No one claiming to be Jew can trace his ancestry.
They are all Yahuudi and Muslims of Abraham and they will never know the truth or peace until they return to Islam and go to the Quran.
2006-12-25 14:36:29 · answer #7 · answered by mythkiller-zuba 6 · 0⤊ 6⤋
I think this person was jacking you around!
2006-12-25 14:30:39 · answer #8 · answered by Moxie Crimefighter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋