Ask me about being a religious jew

[theblitz]

I posted a thread in the BBV4Life forum but it had to be locked because of some of the posts.
Hopefully here things will be better.

So, I am an observant Jew. Feel free to ask anything. I would rather not deal with politics.

[thirddan]

kosher? phylactery (sp?)?? pais (hair curls)?

i don't know how to spell many jewish things [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

my parents would be so disappointed, im a bad jew...

[TheDudeAbides]

I think you can expect a slightly different response here than in BBV4Life.

As a secular Jew, I have some questions - but I'm going to need to think about the proper way to phrase them.

[theblitz]

1. Keep kosher
2. Tefillin every week day
3. Beard so no need for pais (sideburns)

[theblitz]

[ QUOTE ]
As a secular Jew, I have some questions - but I'm going to need to think about the proper way to phrase them.

[/ QUOTE ]
Feel free to ask away.

[TheDudeAbides]

How religious are you? Synagogue every day? Do you frown up reform Jews who don't adhere to the laws of Torah as you do (you can be honest - I won't be offended). How do you reconcile the fact that, while Judaism is an explicity non-missionary religion (easy Dom...), whenever I am in Israel I am constantly being hounded by the ultra-orthodox to 'step up' my Judaism, so to speak.

I don't mean to offend with my questions - I'm really just curious.

[theblitz]

[ QUOTE ]
How religious are you? Synagogue every day? Do you frown up reform Jews who don't adhere to the laws of Torah as you do (you can be honest - I won't be offended). How do you reconcile the fact that, while Judaism is an explicity non-missionary religion (easy Dom...), whenever I am in Israel I am constantly being hounded by the ultra-orthodox to 'step up' my Judaism, so to speak.

I don't mean to offend with my questions - I'm really just curious.

[/ QUOTE ]
I go to Synagogue every day - 3 times.

I don't frown on Reform Jews for not adhering to the laws the same way I don't frown upon a non-religious person for not adhering. I would prefer if they did.
My main problem with the Reform is not that they don't keep to the laws, it is that they saythat the laws are wrong and so we should change them so that they will be comfortable for us.
My feeling is that a religion that allows you to change anything that is not convenient is a bit problematic to say the least.

Judaism is not a missionary religion in as much as we don't go out to convert people. In fact we actively discourage them. Being a Jew is a burden too. A non-Jew is in no way expected to become Jewish.
On the other hand, we do wish anyone who is a Jew to be as religious as possible. Hence the people trying to persuade you to be more religious.

[dcasper70]

I assume since you're here, you play poker.
How does that jive with your faith?


Also, have you always been as religious as you are now? If not, why? Were you raised this religious? Did you stray from your faith? If so, how far (trip reports), how long? What brought you back?

I like these type of threads, they allow me to be far more nosy than in real life.

[theblitz]

[ QUOTE ]
I assume since you're here, you play poker.
How does that jive with your faith?

[/ QUOTE ]
Don't tell the Rabbi. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Only kidding. Judaism has a history of small gambling games. The only thing considered bad is if someone makes a living out of gambling. In that case the person is considered invalid as a witness in court cases.
I don't fall into the category of a professional player. If I was we would have starved to death a long time ago.

[ QUOTE ]

Also, have you always been as religious as you are now? If not, why? Were you raised this religious? Did you stray from your faith? If so, how far (trip reports), how long? What brought you back?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was brought up in a less religious family. The house was kosher and the Sabbath was generally kept. However, for example, we would watch TV on the Sabbath. My dad took us to Synagogue every Sabbath.
I did not go to pray 3 times a day though we did do in school.
From a young age I knew I was going to be more religious. Just a gut feeling.

I had girlfriends when I was young and was not as careful with all the laws. However, I did not have sex before I married.

[Wynton]

If you had a daughter of marrying age, what would be your reaction is she wanted to marry a non-Jew, or a "secular Jew"?

Do you think that "religious Jews" are more or less tolerant than fundamentalist Christians?