Questions about Judaism answered by a Jew!

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1.) Are El, Adonai, and Eloheim the Jewish names for God?

2.) I was just reading the Torah, and I was reading how Adam and Eve felt "shame" after they ate the forbidden fruit. Does that mean they felt no shame roaming naked before they disobeyed God?

3.) Can you give me a link to all the 613 Jewish laws? So far all I see are stories.

4.) I found Vayikra (6th Aliyah) very interesting, as they seem very similar to Quranic laws. Why do Jews have to follow 613 laws while non-Jews just 7?

5.) What are "offering" as pertaining to the Judaism?

6.) Who is Molekh?

7.) What does this mean:

You must not make any idol or statue or image of anything in the heaven above, or the earth below, or in the waters below
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Thanks.
 
1.) Are El, Adonai, and Eloheim the Jewish names for God?
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Yes. Out of respect we never write them fully because if this thread gets deletes some how then you are erasing G-d's name.

.) I was just reading the Torah, and I was reading how Adam and Eve felt "shame" after they ate the forbidden fruit. Does that mean they felt no shame roaming naked before they disobeyed God?
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Correct. Before when walking around naked they felt no shame at all.

3.) Can you give me a link to all the 613 Jewish laws? So far all I see are stories.
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Sure. Here you go: LINK

Some of the laws can only be accomplsihed when the Moshiach returns and rebuilds our temple.


4.) I found Vayikra (6th Aliyah) very interesting, as they seem very similar to Quranic laws. Why do Jews have to follow 613 laws while non-Jews just 7?
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We were chosen to perform all the laws of the Torah. That is why we are the 'chosen people'... basically, whenever you hear that, it means that we were chosen to follow all of G-d's laws. Yes we have a harder life, and yes we have more restrictions but G-d is eternal, and has unlimited power. In no way do us following these laws help him in anyway. These laws were given to us to help us.


5.) What are "offering" as pertaining to the Judaism?
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Animal sacrifices.

6.) Who is Molekh?
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In the Masoretic text the name is "Molech"; in the Septuagint "Moloch." The earliest mention of Molech is in Lev. xviii. 21, where the Israelite is forbidden to sacrifice any of his children to Molech. Similarly, in Lev. xx. 2-5, it is enacted that a man who sacrifices his seed to Molech shall surely be put to death. Then, curiously, it is provided that he shall be cut off from the congregation.

You must not make any idol or statue or image of anything in the heaven above, or the earth below, or in the waters below
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The First Two Commandments

I am HaShem your Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, from the place of slavery.

Do not have any other gods before Me.

Do not represent such gods by a statue or picture of anything in the heaven above, on the earth below, or in the water below the land.

I believe that this means that we are not to make a statue of any type of idol.

I have a pretty idea where this is going. Soloman made a statue for Molech for his foreign wives, and it proves the point Hashem makes when he says that if you marry and non-Jew they will stear you away from loving G-d. Which is why we do not marrry. Non Jews.

If you read 1Kings: http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt09a11.htm

You will see that Soloman made Molech for his foreign wives breaking Jewish law, and G-d punished Soloman severly.
 
Vishnu said:
Is it true that Traditional Jews have very high birth rates because you must by Jewish law?
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Yes it is very true.

In Jerusalem, New York, and other places where Traditional Jews make up a lot of people the population expands rapidly. Chassidic Families average around 7.8 kids a family. Some Chassidic populations double every 8-10 years!

Where the Chassidic movement is big the populations of Jews are growing extremily rapidly. Just about as fast as any group of people are growing in the world. Can you name me a group that averages almost 8 kids a family?
 
therebbe said:
You weren't suppose to prove me wrong. :p ;D :giggling: :D :D :D
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Actually, all my Malaysian friends who came from rural areas have 9-10 siblings, the highst record 15...... while we the urban people have maximum 3 siblings. Usually it's 2 in urban area.
 
how do Jews view kabala? is it a sect? do they follow same laws? if they do why does Madonna sport an inappropriately skimpy bikini in all her videos instead of a snood? Thought to join Judaism you had to undergo a rigorous process? ... yet every day one celebrity becomes a kabalist... or a scientologist for some unbeknown reason .. .. .
 
north_malaysian said:
Actually, all my Malaysian friends who came from rural areas have 9-10 siblings, the highst record 15...... while we the urban people have maximum 3 siblings. Usually it's 2 in urban area.
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Well right now in New York and Israel Chassidic Jews are growing so fast that Chassidic Jews are expanding into many neighborhoods that are 'secular' and 'ghetto' and the other people are scared, because they do not want there neighborhoods to begin to look like an 18th century Jewish ghetto. :p

As for me. I have many siblings and I will most likley have 7 children. Maybe 6. I already have 5 children and another on the way. :) Hopefully it will be a healthy child.
 
therebbe said:
Well right now in New York and Israel Chassidic Jews are growing so fast that Chassidic Jews are expanding into many neighborhoods that are 'secular' and 'ghetto' and the other people are scared, because they do not want there neighborhoods to begin to look like an 18th century Jewish ghetto. :p

As for me. I have many siblings and I will most likley have 7 children. Maybe 6. I already have 5 children and another on the way. :) Hopefully it will be a healthy child.
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Inshallah!!!
 
how do Jews view kabala? is it a sect? do they follow same laws? if they do why does Madonna sport an inappropriately skimpy bikini in all her videos instead of a snood? Thought to join Judaism you had to undergo a rigorous process? ... yet every day one celebrity becomes a kabalist... or a scientologist for some unbeknown reason ..
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Jewish Kabbalistic belief is much different than 'celebrity kabbalah'. many of the celebrity Kabbalah teachings and theories are not connected to Judaism, and in no way are these people Jews or representitives of Judaism. To tell you the truth... the way these girls present themselves and create these lyrics about terrible things, I hope no one ever thinks they are real Kabbalah.
 
therebbe said:
Jewish Kabbalistic belief is much different than 'celebrity kabbalah'. many of the celebrity Kabbalah teachings and theories are not connected to Judaism, and in no way are these people Jews or representitives of Judaism. To tell you the truth... the way these girls present themselves and create these lyrics about terrible things, I hope no one ever thinks they are real Kabbalah.
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They are all sporting those red bracelets what are those about?... I hate when anything is commercialized much less religion... I was reading about them after all that rage and from what I understood they were traditionalists ... head cover modest wear, the works.. ... was wondering how Madonna/spears were taught about that in their classes? who knows... anyhow thanks
 
therebbe said:
Jewish Kabbalistic belief is much different than 'celebrity kabbalah'. many of the celebrity Kabbalah teachings and theories are not connected to Judaism, and in no way are these people Jews or representitives of Judaism. To tell you the truth... the way these girls present themselves and create these lyrics about terrible things, I hope no one ever thinks they are real Kabbalah.
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I think ... no religious group (traditional ones) want to accept Madonna as their member. Maybe she can join Church of Scientology.

I've heard an audio cd about freemasonry. It mentioned that in one of her song (the one which had her singing in church ... and African Jesus... I've forgot the title) when you listen the song reversely it sounds "I love you Satan".....
 
[SIZE=-1]Note: This page addresses issues of Jewish law that may not be appropriate for younger readers. In places, it discusses sexual behavior in plain and frank terms. Please exercise appropriate discretion.[/SIZE] ​
Jewish Attitudes Towards Sexuality


In Jewish law, sex is not considered shameful, sinful or obscene. Sex is not a necessary evil for the sole purpose of procreation. Although sexual desire comes from the yetzer ra (the evil impulse), it is no more evil than hunger or thirst, which also come from the yetzer ra. Like hunger, thirst or other basic instincts, sexual desire must be controlled and channeled, satisfied at the proper time, place and manner. But when sexual desire is satisfied between a husband and wife at the proper time, out of mutual love and desire, sex is a mitzvah.

Sex is permissible only within the context of a marriage. In Judaism, sex is not merely a way of experiencing physical pleasure. It is an act of immense significance, which requires commitment and responsibility. The requirement of marriage before sex ensures that sense commitment and responsibility. Jewish law also forbids sexual contact short of intercourse outside of the context of marriage, recognizing that such contact will inevitably lead to intercourse.

The primary purpose of sex is to reinforce the loving marital bond between husband and wife. The first and foremost purpose of marriage is companionship, and sexual relations play an important role. Procreation is also a reason for sex, but it is not the only reason. Sex between husband and wife is permitted (even recommended) at times when conception is impossible, such as when the woman is pregnant, after menopause, or when the woman is using a permissible form of contraception.
In the Torah, the word used for sex between husband and wife comes from the root Yod-Dalet-Ayin, meaning "to know," which vividly illustrates that proper Jewish sexuality involves both the heart and mind, not merely the body.

Nevertheless, Judaism does not ignore the physical component of sexuality. The need for physical compatibility between husband and wife is recognized in Jewish law. A Jewish couple must meet at least once before the marriage, and if either prospective spouse finds the other physically repulsive, the marriage is forbidden.

Sex should only be experienced in a time of joy. Sex for selfish personal satisfaction, without regard for the partner's pleasure, is wrong and evil. A man may never force his wife to have sex. A couple may not have sexual relations while drunk or quarreling. Sex may never be used as a weapon against a spouse, either by depriving the spouse of sex or by compelling it. It is a serious offense to use sex (or lack thereof) to punish or manipulate a spouse.

Sex is the woman's right, not the man's. A man has a duty to give his wife sex regularly and to ensure that sex is pleasurable for her. He is also obligated to watch for signs that his wife wants sex, and to offer it to her without her asking for it. The woman's right to sexual intercourse is referred to as onah, and it is one of a wife's three basic rights (the others are food and clothing), which a husband may not reduce. The Talmud specifies both the quantity and quality of sex that a man must give his wife. It specifies the frequency of sexual obligation based on the husband's occupation, although this obligation can be modified in the ketubah (marriage contract). A man may not take a vow to abstain from sex for an extended period of time, and may not take a journey for an extended period of time, because that would deprive his wife of sexual relations. In addition, a husband's consistent refusal to engage in sexual relations is grounds for compelling a man to divorce his wife, even if the couple has already fulfilled the halakhic obligation to procreate.

Although sex is the woman's right, she does not have absolute discretion to withhold it from her husband. A woman may not withhold sex from her husband as a form of punishment, and if she does, the husband may divorce her without paying the substantial divorce settlement provided for in the ketubah.

Although some sources take a more narrow view, the general view of halakhah is that any sexual act that does not involve sh'chatat zerah (destruction of seed, that is, ejaculation outside the vagina) is permissible. As one passage in the Talmud states, "a man may do whatever he pleases with his wife." (Nedarim 20b) In fact, there are passages in the Talmud that encourage foreplay to arouse the woman. (Nedarim 20a).

Niddah: The Laws of Separation


One of the most mysterious areas of Jewish sexual practices is the law of niddah, separation of husband and wife during the woman's menstrual period. These laws are also known as taharat ha-mishpachah, family purity. Few people outside of the Orthodox community are even aware that these laws exist, which is unfortunate, because these laws provide many undeniable benefits. The laws of niddah are not deliberately kept secret; they are simply unknown because most non-Orthodox Jews do not continue their religious education beyond bar mitzvah, and these laws address subjects that are not really suitable for discussion with children under the age of 13.
According to the Torah, a man is forbidden from having sexual intercourse with a niddah, that is, a menstruating woman. The law of niddah is the only law of ritual purity that continues to be observed today. At one time, a large portion of Jewish law revolved around questions of ritual purity and impurity. All of the other laws had significance in the time of the Temple, but are not applicable today.

The time of separation begins at the first sign of blood and ends in the evening of the woman's seventh "clean day." This separation lasts a minimum of 12 days. The rabbis broadened this prohibition, maintaining that a man may not even touch his wife or sleep in the same bed as her during this time. Weddings must be scheduled carefully, so that the woman is not in a state of niddah on her wedding night.

At the end of the period of niddah, as soon as possible after nightfall after the seventh clean day, the woman must immerse herself in a kosher mikvah, a ritual pool. The mikvah was traditionally used to cleanse a person of various forms of ritual impurity. Today, it is used almost exclusively for this purpose and as part of the ritual of conversion. It is important to note that the purpose of the mikvah is solely ritual purification, not physical cleanliness; in fact, immersion in the mikvah is not valid unless the woman is thoroughly bathed before immersion. The mikvah is such an important part of traditional Jewish ritual life that a new community will build a mikvah before they build a synagogue.

The Torah does not specify the reason for the laws of niddah, but this period of abstention has both physical and psychological benefits.
The fertility benefits of this practice are obvious and undeniable. In fact, it is remarkable how closely these laws parallel the advice given by medical professionals today. When couples are having trouble conceiving, modern medical professionals routinely advise them to abstain from sex during the two weeks around a woman's period (to increase the man's sperm count at a time when conception is not possible), and to have sex on alternate nights during the remaining two weeks. When you combine this basic physical benefit with the psychological benefit of believing that you are fulfilling G-d's will, it is absolutely shocking that more couples with fertility problems do not attempt this practice. The rejection of this practice by the liberal movements of Judaism is not a matter of "informed choice," but simply a matter of ignorance or blind prejudice.

In addition, women who have sexual intercourse during their menstrual period are more vulnerable to a variety of vaginal infections, as well as increased risk of cervical cancer.

But the benefits that the rabbis have always emphasized are the psychological ones, not the physical ones. The rabbis noted that a two-week period of abstention every month forces a couple to build a non-sexual bond as well as a sexual one. It helps to build the couple's desire for one another, making intercourse in the remaining two weeks more special. It also gives both partners a chance to rest, without feeling sexually inadequate. They also emphasized the value of self-discipline in a drive as fundamental as the sexual drive.
 
Hashim_507 said:
What does Judaism say about jews converted to other religions?
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When you are born a Jew you are required to follow the Torah and the 613 mitzvot in it. If you convert away from Judaism you can't just follow the 'seven laws' that isn't how it works. It is irrelevant what you do. You are turning your back on Hashems Torah. The Rabbi's teach that people who convert from Judaism are misled and do not have much of an education on the religion and fall prey easily.
 
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