Questions about Judaism answered by a Jew!

[Woodrow]

lol, yes there would probably be confusion after I wrote that post, and didn't explain. I decided to delete it because I assume it is part of the name, like "Israel" has G-d's name in the last two letters and also a Jew cannot have the name of G-d in his name by itself as just "G-d" it has to accompany something like "slave of G-d" ect. However, to avoid confusion I cutd and pasted it into a word document and saved in a special disk. (Very complicated rabbinical theory on the erasing of G-d's name and computers.) +o(

If you wish clarification, please ask, since it is tough to explain, but basically I cut and pasted the name in a word document and saved it on a disk fullof basically when I accidently write G-d's name, (a disk cannot crash), since we have to do our best to ensure G-d's name is not erased, and it is pretty complicated to go about that and to clarify how to do it on a computer.

Thank you, I believe I understand. I assumed they would be a way to repair errors, I was just curious as to how you would.

 

[Abu Zakariya]

I'm not completly fluent in Arabic, so I am not sure if it would constitute two seperate words or one name. What would be your opinion?

I don't know how it works in Judaism, but you mentioned that the name "slave of God" would be permissible to write. 'abd Allah is a name even though the two words are written separetely. So the word Allah is written separately.

 

[IzakHalevas]

I don't know how it works in Judaism, but you mentioned that the name "slave of God" would be permissible to write. 'abd Allah is a name even though the two words are written separetely. So the word Allah is written separately.

No, which is why I cut and pasted it onto the disk.

 

[ManchesterFolk]

Have a good sabbath. When you get back, could you answer a question I have? Thank you.

What would Judaism do if an alien came to this earth? How would the religion be effected?

 

[rav]

Have a good sabbath. When you get back, could you answer a question I have? Thank you.

What would Judaism do if an alien came to this earth? How would the religion be effected?

The discovery of ETs would pose no more of a threat to Judaism than would the discovery of a new species of rabbit.

It would be limiting G-d's power to say that He could not have placed life on other planets. In fact, there is a reference in the biblical Book of Judges (5:23) to an inhabited place called Maroz, which the Talmud identifies as a star.

But Jewish thought has always believed that the most weird and wonderful creatures are to be found right here on earth. We can explore the remotest extremities of space but still remain alien to our own humanity. The real secrets of the universe lie hidden in the depths of the human soul.

 

[arabiyyah]

What kind of power does a Rabbi have, and how do they differ from lets say a priest or other type of figure from a different religion than Judaism?

 

[rav]

What kind of power does a Rabbi have, and how do they differ from lets say a priest or other type of figure from a different religion than Judaism?

I believe this is a suitable explanation:

A rabbi has no actual powers in the written Torah, although the Talmud does provide the Rabbi with the authority to make interpretations of Torah (which, in Orthodoxy, provides authority). Rabbis are, however, are given semichah. This is a recognition of a certain level of training or education as defined as appropriate for the community in which the Rabbi has studied. One of the traditional names for semichah is hatarat hora'ah, which translates as a license to instruct. In the Orthodox community, semichah is granted in two forms: Yoreh Yoreh (to instruct) and Yadin Yadin (a higher level, meaning to judge). This was seen in earlier times. For example there was the "Magid" or preacher (the role of teaching Jewish law and judging being separated from moral instruction).

Because of the rabbi's training, the rabbi often takes on other roles. Rabbinical presence at religious services is desired insofar as everyone likes the rabbi and the rabbi can rule on questions that come up related to the service (e.g. does a particular smudge render a Torah scroll unkosher?) If the rabbi has a nice voice, and no one else has priority, the rabbi may even lead the services. The state gives rabbis the permission to perform weddings and so on since the state trusts them.

Priests are often used as intermediaries between man and G-d. Rabbis are nothing more than regular people who have learned much Torah. Catholic priests can give absolution for sins, rabbis can't (unless you're asking forgiveness for something you've done against the rabbi personally).

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;

If Rabbis differ with each other , how ordinary Jews decide who is right or whom to follow ?

Take this example: One Rabbi says , non-Jews must not touch the Jewish holy book , other say it's ok. Then it's upto Jews to follow any Rabbi s/he likes or then a group of Rabbis will decide the matter ?

 

[rav]

Salaam/peace;

If Rabbis differ with each other , how ordinary Jews decide who is right or whom to follow ?

Take this example: One Rabbi says , non-Jews must not touch the Jewish holy book , other say it's ok. Then it's upto Jews to follow any Rabbi s/he likes or then a group of Rabbis will decide the matter ?

The majority is always correct. It says somewhere in the Talmud that a disagreement on interpretation or a dispute would always be settled by a majority. Since G-d wills everything, the side he wished to win would win.

Don't quote me on that exactly though, in my spare time I will try to look up the passage.

 

[Abu Zakariya]

The majority is always correct. It says somewhere in the Talmud that a disagreement on interpretation or a dispute would always be settled by a majority. Since G-d wills everything, the side he wished to win would win.

Don't quote me on that exactly though, in my spare time I will try to look up the passage.

Would this be the majority of the Jews, or the majority of the Orthodox Jews? What I mean is, what if the liberal Jews are in majority and decide something which you would consider to be breaking the law? Or do you go by the majorit opinion in the past?

 

[glo]

I walked past a Jewish cemetery today, and as I looked at the gravestones I noticed little stones placed on them - some pretty smooth stoens, some little gem stones, others just ordinary pebbles.
Can I ask what the significance of these is?

It reminded me of a true story, which happened to my friend not so long ago.
He was walking past the very same cemetery and when he saw the stones, all he could think of was that somebody had thrown them onto the graves in an attempt to desecrate or vandalise the graves.
Being a caring and thoughtful man, he was outraged and decided to put things right, and proceeded to take all the stones off.
Somebody them stopped him and told him that this was a Jewish custom. (He was highly embarrassed! )

But what exactly does the custom mean? And where does it come from?

Thanks!

 

[rav]

Would this be the majority of the Jews, or the majority of the Orthodox Jews? What I mean is, what if the liberal Jews are in majority and decide something which you would consider to be breaking the law? Or do you go by the majorit opinion in the past?

Orthodox Jews of course. A Jew who does not follow all the laws of the Torah obviously does not count in this. What I am refering to are arguments between Rabbi's of the Sandrehin, which was like a council of many Rabbi's.

I walked past a Jewish cemetery today, and as I looked at the gravestones I noticed little stones placed on them - some pretty smooth stoens, some little gem stones, others just ordinary pebbles.
Can I ask what the significance of these is?

It reminded me of a true story, which happened to my friend not so long ago.
He was walking past the very same cemetery and when he saw the stones, all he could think of was that somebody had thrown them onto the graves in an attempt to desecrate or vandalise the graves.
Being a caring and thoughtful man, he was outraged and decided to put things right, and proceeded to take all the stones off.
Somebody them stopped him and told him that this was a Jewish custom. (He was highly embarrassed!

)

But what exactly does the custom mean? And where does it come from?

Thanks!

Originally, there were no engraved tombstones like we have today. Originally, tombs were marked with a simple cairn, a simple pile of stones. This meant that wind and rain would cause the tomb marker to wear down. Each visitor would therefore add to the pile again, to show respect, that the deceased was remembered. Over the years, a mound ofstones would accumulate, memorializing the deceased through the hands of his/her loved ones.

The tombstone we have today serves as another form of cairn. Originally, names were not put on a tombstone; this is a more modern custom. Although Jews now follow this practice, many people still continue the earlier custom of leaving stones.

 

[glo]

Thank you, rav.

Would my friend's action of removing the stones have caused offence? (Given that other people wouldn't have known that he had good intentions ...)

 

[rav]

Thank you, rav.

Would my friend's action of removing the stones have caused offence? (Given that other people wouldn't have known that he had good intentions ...)

I doubt it. It really isn't a law just a tradition. If the guy didn't know what he was doing, I would think of him as someone trying to clean up the cemetary and do good.

 

[north_malaysian]

He did. Look here: Middle of post #1076, this thread.

thanks... i overlooked it... i think...

 

[rav]

Here is something interesting but random:

How to find a Rabbi:

Here are two litmus tests you can administer to any rabbi. You'll need a stopwatch:
Test #1:

• Ask the rabbi, "Rabbi, do you believe in G-d?"
• Start the stopwatch.
• When you hear the word, "yes", stop the watch and record the time.

Test #2:

• Ask the rabbi, "Okay, let's say they tie you to a post on a pile of kerosene-soaked wood and these guys in black hoods standing around with torches who look like they've done this before tell you, "Just say that this Judaism stuff is a bunch of nonsense and we'll let you go." Your answer is...?
• Start the stopwatch.
• When you hear the words Shma Yisrael... ("Hear O Israel, G-d is our G-d, G-d is one") or some other convincing show of absolute commitment, stop the watch and record the time.

Results:

• 0-2 seconds: That's why we are still here today.
• 3-10 seconds: Okay, maybe he was just shocked by the question.
• 11 seconds to never: If he doesn't really believe in it, why should we?

Sources: Test #1 is the invention of Dr. Judah Landes, a psychologist who used it to determine his rabbi when he was a senior researcher at Stanford. Test #2 was also used many times, but for less honorable purposes and not by psychologists.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;

Hello rav ,

Will u fast tomorrow ? Regarding a hadith , Jews in the past fasted on that day to remember the blessing of God on Prophet Musa/Moses (p) & Children of Israel ( they crossed the sea ).

Do today’s Jews remember the blessing by fasting ?



Muslims will fast to remember not only the sacrifice of the grandson of the Last Prophet (p) but for many reasons including the one mentioned above.



U used verse from Sanhedrin in other thread . Pl. give me the link .

 

[rav]

U used verse from Sanhedrin in other thread . Pl. give me the link .

Just go to the Jewish Virtual Library.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Talmud/sanhedrin_toc.html

It is incomplete however, since no true complete english translation of the Talmud exists online.

Do today’s Jews remember the blessing by fasting ?

Fasting because of a blessing? What?

Will u fast tomorrow ? Regarding a hadith , Jews in the past fasted on that day to remember the blessing of God on Prophet Musa/Moses (p) & Children of Israel ( they crossed the sea ).

Excuse me, but today/tommorow is not the aniversery of the crossing of the sea to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;

Just go to the Jewish Virtual Library.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Talmud/sanhedrin_toc.html

It is incomplete however, since no true complete english translation of the Talmud exists online.

---why full translation is not available ?

Fasting because of a blessing? What?

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10 and asked them the reason for their fasting on this day.


They said, “This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Musa [Moses] fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “We are closer to Musa than you are.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this day. (Al-Bukhari)

The following year, Allah commanded the Muslims to fast the month of Ramadan, and the fasting of `Ashura’ became optional.

A satellite view of Sinai and the Red Sea. `Ashura’ commemorates the day that Allah saved the Children of Israel from Pharaoh.


Fasting the Day of `Ashura’

Excuse me, but today/tommorow is not the aniversery of the crossing of the sea to the best of my knowledge.

--ok , when is the anniversary ? Do Jews remember the day ?
if Yes , how ?

 

[rav]

--ok , when is the anniversary ? Do Jews remember the day ?
if Yes , how ?

Are you refering to passover when we do not eat any products with bread in it and many other things for seven/eight days depending on where you are.

Fasting the Day of `Ashura’

Islamic sites will do you no good here.

---why full translation is not available ?

The Talmud is a complicated tyransfusion of Aramaic, and old Hebrew. It is pretty complicated stuff and is billions of words. People who do translate it into english have very tough times trying to find words in English that mean close to the same thing. The ones that do there best usaully sell what they do in text. All that work does not go into everyone getting it for free online.