Questions about Judaism answered by a Jew!

[Umar001]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

We do not have G-d dwelling within us... we are not G-d. We were made in his image. It is a complicated subject on different beliefs, but he is our creater. But we aren't like related to him. He created our souls which are eternal just like he is.

I dont get this because it was stated:

The creation of man testifies to the eternal life of the soul. The Torah says, "And the Almighty formed the man of dust from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the SOUL of life" (Genesis 2:7). On this verse, the Zohar states that "one who blows, blows from within himself," indicating that the soul is actually part of G-d's essence.

If The Zohar say 'one who blows, blows from within himself' and this indicates that the Soul Blows in part of G-d's essence.

And it jus was stated that 'He Blew into his nostrils' then G-d blows, and blows from himself, so according to that our Soul is part of G-ds essence, or at least Adam's soul is.

When you convert to Judaism, you are basically saying I could go to heaven by following 7 laws as a non-jew... but I wish to follow all of G-ds laws. Converts are not treated differently. Jews believe that when we recieved the Torah all Jews were there on Mt. Sinai in spirit, including converts.

Ok so I could jus follow the 7 laws and get to heaven, is that mentioned in the Torah?

To be a Jew means you want to follow all of G-d's laws... not just the seven he made for people who did not make a covenent with him. When you convert to Judaism you are a Jew, and now must follow all of G-d's laws. If you are a non-Jew you just have to follow 7 basic laws which you should follow anyway because they are morally right.

So me right now, if I jus happen to be followin the 7 laws then I will go heaven anyway?

And what does the actual word Jew mean?

 

[glo]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

The concept of the Moshiach is a beautiful thing. I pray that I will be here on earth when he comes.

Me again! :rollseyes

Some Christians and Muslims believe that the 'end-times' are near.
What do Jews think about it? Do they have any thoughts and speculations about when the messiah will come?

peace.

 

[lavikor201]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

If The Zohar say 'one who blows, blows from within himself' and this indicates that the Soul Blows in part of G-d's essence.

And it jus was stated that 'He Blew into his nostrils' then G-d blows, and blows from himself, so according to that our Soul is part of G-ds essence, or at least Adam's soul is.

If you read the post I wrote, I said it was a complicated subject with different beliefs.

Ok so I could jus follow the 7 laws and get to heaven, is that mentioned in the Torah?

Correct. The seven laws of Noah.

So me right now, if I jus happen to be followin the 7 laws then I will go heaven anyway?

And what does the actual word Jew mean?

YES! Judaism does not sacre people into conversion by threatening people to go to hell. When the Messiah comes, it will not be mean the damnation of all non-Jews. We do not use fear! Follow the 7 laws, and live a richeous life and you will go to heaven.

Some Christians and Muslims believe that the 'end-times' are near.
What do Jews think about it? Do they have any thoughts and speculations about when the messiah will come?

Jews await the Messiah everyday. There is no 'end time'

When the Messiah comes, the world will become a peaceful place, and will realize its potential at perfection.

 

[Umar001]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

If you read the post I wrote, I said it was a complicated subject with different beliefs.

You know of any articles on this matter? I was jus confused by the post thats all seemed like two different messages.

YES! Judaism does not sacre people into conversion by threatening people to go to hell. When the Messiah comes, it will not be mean the damnation of all non-Jews. We do not use fear! Follow the 7 laws, and live a richeous life and you will go to heaven.

But if you dont follow the 7 laws you go hell?

 

[Muslim Knight]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

Jews await the Messiah everyday. There is no 'end time'

When the Messiah comes, the world will become a peaceful place, and will realize its potential at perfection.

What happens after the Messiah comes? Judgment Day? What about Heaven or Hell? Is there an end to the world?

 

[lavikor201]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

What happens after the Messiah comes? Judgment Day? What about Heaven or Hell? Is there an end to the world?

No Judgement Day, or any type of thing like that, which I know of. There will be no more wars, everyone will be at peace, the Jewish people will no longer have to be afradi of persecution, because they have lived on and kept faithful through many peoples trying to kill them, and convert them... the Messiah will be our king, and all the non-Jews will respect him greatly. All the Jews will come back fully to the Torah's teachings. (Many Jews do not observe every law of Judaism. ex:more liberal jews)

All will have good lives and be able to accomplish so much with very little. The earth will be at peace.

But if you dont follow the 7 laws you go hell?

I don't believe it states what will happen. Judaism does not go into depth about the after life. We believe that we should be focused on helping the world so we only know so much about the afterlife... but the Jewish view of hell is much different than Christians and Muslims saying you will 'rot' in hell.

 

[Umar001]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

I don't believe it states what will happen. Judaism does not go into depth about the after life. We believe that we should be focused on helping the world so we only know so much about the afterlife... but the Jewish view of hell is much different than Christians and Muslims saying you will 'rot' in hell.

Having said this, I have the following Questions:

1. According to the teachings who will go hell? As in what is the criteria for someone to try and ensure he wont go hell.

2.What is hell like, the little that is known.

 

[duskiness]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

Judaism does not go into depth about the after life.

So is it possible to be believeing Jew and not believe in any afterlife?
n.

 

[lavikor201]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

So is it possible to be believeing Jew and not believe in any afterlife?

No. Judaism's foundation is based on the afterlife. We were the ones who created the concept being the first religion to believe in a "single G-D"

We just believe that are purpose on earth is not to be fixated about the afterlife, and instead be fixated on helping the earth, and helping mankind.

1. According to the teachings who will go hell? As in what is the criteria for someone to try and ensure he wont go hell.

For you... as a non-Jew, all you must know is that you must follow the seven laws of Noah. If you follow the seven laws of Noah you will be granted a place in heaven.

2.What is hell like, the little that is known.

In Judaism, heaven and hell is much different than what you would think...

Heaven is a place where you go if you lived a good life, helped people, and followed G-d's commandments. It is a place where only people who are 'clean' spirtually are admited.

If you have commited sins like many do then you must be 'cleaned' spiritually and this place is what you would call 'Hell'

In order to restore the level of purity the soul had possessed before entering the physical world, it must undergo a degree of refinement commensurate to the degree which the body may have indulged itself. If a person sinned in this lifetime, as most of us do, then, to continue the radio analogy, we have serious interference. This means there is even more cleaning to be done. This cleaning process hurts, but is a spiritual and mental process designed not for retribution, but to allow one to truly enjoy his/her reward in Gan Eden. This cleaning process is called “Gehinom,” or, in the vernacular, “Hell.”

Thats it? We are spiritually cleansed and then we get to go to heaven?

Hold on there... if you were a very bad person... if you hated your fellow man, commited Murder, did terrible things, persecuted others for being different, or did not contribute to help the world at all... but hurt it... there are places where you will never see heaven. It is a bad place, and I am not even sure Hashem gave us a name for it.

You will find Hitler, Stalin, with Murdurers, Rapists, and people who only contributed to the world downfall. There is no mercy for these people.

It is a place you do not want to go. :happy:

 

[Umar001]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

Inshallah I will have time to ask some qs tomorow.

 

[Kidman]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

Since Aaron was a prophet after Moses... Do you believe there can be more prophets after Moses, maybe sent to certain nations to help them and show them the true way of God?

 

[lavikor201]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

Since Aaron was a prophet after Moses... Do you believe there can be more prophets after Moses, maybe sent to certain nations to help them and show them the true way of God?

There were many Prophets after Moses. There were 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses. In the Torah you will see that in the Book of Deuteronomy it sais that no true Prophet will create a new faith or religion as a successor to Judaism.

If a Prophet attempts to contradict the Torah in any way he is automatically shown to be false. This requirement can disqualify any prophet at any time. A prophet may not add or detract from the Torah in any way, this applies to both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah. Therefore, any prophet who claims that a certain mitzvah is no longer required or that a new mitzvah has been added to the Torah shows himself to be a false prophet and is judged accordingly. This is true even if he performs miracles.

Christianity and Islams laws do contradict the Torah. Therefore Muhammad was not a prophet according to Jewish law, because he did not fufill almost any of the qualifications, and his followers do not observe the Torah or its laws.

 

[Umar001]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

For you... as a non-Jew, all you must know is that you must follow the seven laws of Noah. If you follow the seven laws of Noah you will be granted a place in heaven.

So if I do not follow the 7 laws I will go hell?

In Judaism, heaven and hell is much different than what you would think...

Heaven is a place where you go if you lived a good life, helped people, and followed G-d's commandments. It is a place where only people who are 'clean' spirtually are admited.

If you have commited sins like many do then you must be 'cleaned' spiritually and this place is what you would call 'Hell'

In order to restore the level of purity the soul had possessed before entering the physical world, it must undergo a degree of refinement commensurate to the degree which the body may have indulged itself. If a person sinned in this lifetime, as most of us do, then, to continue the radio analogy, we have serious interference. This means there is even more cleaning to be done. This cleaning process hurts, but is a spiritual and mental process designed not for retribution, but to allow one to truly enjoy his/her reward in Gan Eden. This cleaning process is called “Gehinom,” or, in the vernacular, “Hell.”

Thats it? We are spiritually cleansed and then we get to go to heaven?

Hold on there... if you were a very bad person... if you hated your fellow man, commited Murder, did terrible things, persecuted others for being different, or did not contribute to help the world at all... but hurt it... there are places where you will never see heaven. It is a bad place, and I am not even sure Hashem gave us a name for it.

You will find Hitler, Stalin, with Murdurers, Rapists, and people who only contributed to the world downfall. There is no mercy for these people.

It is a place you do not want to go. :happy:

So hell is a place where people will be hurt?

 

[lavikor201]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

So if I do not follow the 7 laws I will go hell?

We really do not know. G-d has just told us that whoever follows the seven laws of Noah will go to heaven. G-d never tells us what happens to those who don't follow them.

So hell is a place where people will be hurt?

Hell is a place where people who have comited sin go. It is a place where you are cleansed we believe to become spiritually cleansed. You do not burn in hell forever like some religions claim. You are corrected and learn from your mistakes in hell. Your soul beomes 'clean' from the sins you commited.

If you were a terrible person and made the world a worse place like for example: Hitler. Than there is a place worse than hell where G-d has no mercy on your soul, and you will never see heaven. You do not get sent to this place because you are of a certain religion. Any person of any nationality or faith if bad enough could end up here.

I do not know of a name for this place.

 

[ManchesterFolk]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

What is the name of those sheets you put over your heads when you pray?

 

[lavikor201]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

What is the name of those sheets you put over your heads when you pray?

The tallit (also pronounced tallis) is a prayer shawl, the most authentic Jewish garment. It is a rectangular-shaped piece of linen or wool (and sometimes, now, polyester or silk) with special fringes called Tzitzit on each of the four corners. The purpose of the garment is to hold the Tzitzit.

Most tallitot (alternative plural: talleisim) have a neckband, called an Atarah, which most often has the blessing one recites when donning the tallit, embroidered across it.

Why wear a tallit?
The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the Israelites and instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout the ages; let them attach a cord of blue to the fringe at each corner. That shall be your fringe; look at it and recall all the commandments of the Lord and observe them, so that you do not follow your heart and eyes in your lustful urge. Thus you shall be reminded to observe all My commandments and to be holy to your G-d. I, the Lord, am your G-d, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your G-d: I, the Lord your G-d. [Numbers 15:37-41]

The purpose of the tallit, then, is to hold the Tzitzit, and the purpose of the Tzitzit (according to the Torah) is to remind us of God's commandments.

The tallit is worn for morning prayer, during the week as well as on Shabbat and other holy days. It is not worn for afternoon and evening prayers because of the commandment that one should see the Tzitzit, which has been interpreted as meaning to be seen by the light of the day. The Shaliach Tzibur (who leads the prayer) usually wears a tallit, as well, even in the afternoon and evening.

Who wears a tallit?
Generally, a Jew who has reached the age of majority (in most communities, this is 13, though in some communities, girls reach the age of majority at 12) wear a tallit. There exists a custom, not widely practiced, of not wearing a tallit prior to marriage: This custom was explained by the Maharil (Rabbi Yaacov Mollen, 1356-1427) based on the juxtaposition of two verses in the Torah. The first, Deuteronomy 22:12 articulates the commandment concerning the wearing of tzitzit. It is followed by Deuteronomy 22:13, which says, "If a man takes a wife..." This custom is not widely practiced, however, in large measure because it prevents one from fulfilling a commandment between the age of 13 and the time one marries.

In congregations where a tallit is generally worn, you will find a rack of tallitot available for use by visitors near the entrance to the sanctuary.

How are the Tzitzit tied?
Tying Tzitzit is a Jewish art, a form of macrame. A hole is carefully made and reinforced in each corner of the tallit. Through each hole, four strands are inserted: three short strands and one long strand. The longer stranded is called the shammash and this is the one which is used for winding around the others. To tie the Tzitzit, line up the four stands so that the three of equal length are doubled evenly, and the four strand is lined up at one end with the other seven ends. With four strands in one hand, and the other four in the other, make a double knot at the edge of the fabric. Then take the shammash and wind it around the other seven strands seven times in a spiral motion. Make a second double knot, with four strands in one hand and four strands in the other. Then wind the shammash around the seven strands eight times and make another double knot. Wind the shammash around eleven times and make a double knot. Finally, wind the shammash thirteen times around the remaining seven strands and make one final double knot. When done correctly, the Tzitzit will have 7-8-11-13 winds between the double knots.

What does the 7-8-11-13 windings pattern mean?
There are a number of wonderful interpretations for this pattern of windings.

One interpretation is that each set of windings corresponds to one of the four letters in G-d's name.

Another interpretation employs Gematria, Jewish numerology, which assigns to each Hebrew letter a numeric value: aleph is 1, bet is 2, gimmel is 3, and so on. In this second interpretation of the windings of the Tzitzit, the numbers 7-8-11-13 have special meaning: 7+8=15, which in Hebrew is written yod-hay, the first two letters of G-d's name (the Tetragrammaton); 11=vav+hay, the third and fourth letters of G-d's name. Hence the first three windings "spell" G-d's holy name. Thirteen, the last set of windings, is equivalent in value to the word "echad" which means "one." Hence, all four windings can be interpreted to say, "G-d is one."

Yet another interpretation holds that when we consider the windings between the knots, 7, 8, 11, and 13, the first three numbers equal 26, which is numerically equivalent to the Tetragrammaton and the remaining number, 13, is equivalent to "echad" ("one). Hence the windings tell us that G-d is One. If we take the sum of the first three numbers (7+8+11) and equate that with G-d's Name, then the 13 which remain can also be interpreted to reflect the 13 attributes of G-d, as articulated by Moses Maimonides and set to verse in the Yigdal.

By still another interpretation, the Gematria value of the word "Tzitzit" (tzadi-yod-tzitzit-yod-taf) is 600. To this we add the eight strands plus the five knots, totaling 613 in all. According to tradition, G-d gave us 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah. Just looking at the tallit with its Tzitzit, therefore, reminds us of the commandments, as the Torah says, "You should see them and remember all G-d's commandments and do them."

A Jew wears a Tallit during moring prayers.

Praying at the Western Wall with Tallit on.

 

[Vishnu]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

What does Judaism say about Phsycics?

 

[cool_jannah]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

hey lavikor
shalom cousin!
i have a very important question to ask you right now..
are u guys really going to kill all palestinians or muslims if they are in your way building that temple thingy of ures in the year 2012? u guys will have to build that temple right? in the place of masjid aqsa right? whats the plot this time? can you please share it with us!
thanks cousin
shalom.

 

[lavikor201]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

hey lavikor
shalom cousin!
i have a very important question to ask you right now..
are u guys really going to kill all palestinians or muslims if they are in your way building that temple thingy of ures in the year 2012? u guys will have to build that temple right? in the place of masjid aqsa right? whats the plot this time? can you please share it with us!
thanks cousin
shalom.

Shalom!

We will only build the temple when the Messiah comes. Israel in no way is planning on killing anyone in our way. Those are complete lies. Unlike many of the people who have controlled Jerusalem and destroyed our temples we refuse to destroy anothers place of worship.

We believe the Temple will be built when the Messiah comes. But it will happen peacefully. There will be world peace when the Messiah comes.

When the Messiah comes Muslims and all others will accept him as the Messiah and realize the faults in there ways. The whole world will embrace G-d's laws, and everyone will have respect for another. When the Messiah comes, Judaism will be accepted as the true religion. The seven laws of Noah which all non-jews must follow to be granted a place in Heaven will be followed by all, and peace will be within the earth.

Israel in no way is planning on destroying any place of worship. So you must take this myth out of your head. Shalom!

What does Judaism say about Phsycics?

There is no doubt that there exists people who possess genuine powers. The question remains: how are these powers to be regarded? Does the fact that one possesses an inborn tendency towards spirituality indicate that this person is inherently holy? The answer is no. In Judaism, the prophet (one who is able to foresee future events with absolute accuracy and unmatched precision) is regarded with the greatest admiration. Yet the psychic, possessed of seemingly identical ability, is at best regarded with apprehension. The difference lies in the source of these spiritual powers. A prophet's powers do not stem from within him. It is a Divine influx which comes from without, from above. A prophetic experience occurs independent of the prophet; he is merely a conduit for it. The powers are generated and initiated by the will of G-d. The prophet must prepare himself for the eventuality, but ultimately he is but a vehicle for the manifestation of the Divine Will. The source of a psychic's abilities, on the other hand, is from within. Their spiritual intuition originates from within themselves. Because of the dissimilarity, there exists a marked distinction of quality between the psychic and the prophet. While the prophet is distinguished as a man of extreme humility and humbleness, prevalent character traits of many psychics are self-centeredness, ego and at times, even arrogance. In a sense, the innate psychic power is a talent like any other talent, much like a musical ability, an artistic sensitivity and the like. Being that it is an inborn talent, a natural gift and not a revelation from above, it is subject to free will. On the other hand, prophecy or any other form of Divine inspiration is a direct expression of the supernatural, an emanation originating from above. Consequently, it is intrinsically divine and holy. Since psychic power is a human potential, like any other human potential it is amoral, that is to say, neither moral nor immoral. It can be used in a positive manner or used in a negative manner. The power itself has no intrinsic value--it is neither good nor bad. You thus have good psychics and not-so-good psychics.

 

[Vishnu]

Re: Questions about Judaism awnsered by a Jew!

Good awnser. Thank you.