Questions about Judaism answered by a Jew!

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rav said:
Grace, if you use the NIV version and attest to its reliability, then why does Isaiah 7:14 still translate "almah" as 'virgin': LINK.
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I've answered that already, but don't mind doing so again for the sake of others. The NIV is a good translation, but it isn't a perfect translation. There are a few places in every English translation where a person could take exception to the work of those who have gone before them. The use of the term "virgin" in Isaiah 7 is one of those places in the NIV.

Sadly, I believe that what happened is that the committee caved to pressure from the publisher who was biased in favor of the term "virgin". I think that bias came from the long history of the KJV which also had used the term "virgin" before it. The passage is one of the most well-known and frequently cited passages in the church, used every year during Advent as we Christians look forward to Christ's coming. People have grown up with this phrase since their infancy. And while not everyone would object, there are many conservatives in the church (just like in every other field) who don't like to see things changed. They'll say riduculous things like, "If it was good enough for Paul and Silas, it's good enough for me." Of course, they have no idea what Paul and Silas (or anyone in previous generations) thought about this term, but they emotionally cling to it. Ultimately, Zondervan, the publishers of the NIV, are interested in being able to sell their translation and recoup their investment. To them, if that meant appeasing a particular segment of the Christian population that is known to be frequent Bible purchasers, then so be it.

That said, I don't think that it is sufficient reason to discredit the whole work. There are no perfect translations. Each has its own inherent problems. Serious Bible study students come upon one such as this pretty easily and can make an internal adjustment in their thinking as they read it. For casual readers, it probably goes right over their head. That doesn't make it right; it would be better if it read "young woman", but eventually one has to pick a version and use it.

I think the NIV is better than the KJV. It may not be as good as the New Revised Standard Version which does properly translate this verse and only makes mention of the term "virgin" in a footnote indicating that it is found in Greek translations not the original Hebrew. But for me, there is also the issue of access to other helps such as concordances, commentaries, curriculum, etc. that are based on the text of a particular translation. And so I use the NIV and try to be aware of its imperfections, as I would also have to be if I used the NRSV or any other version. What I would like to see is for the publisher to include a footnote in future editions, like the publishers of the New Living Bible did, indicating the use of "young woman" as an appropriate translation of the text. Responding to exactly those types of concerns Zondervan did eventually publish a revision of their NIV called "Todays New International Version" that does at least footnote the passage and provide the "young woman" translation in the footnote, but I'm not going to switch from the NIV to some other new translation every time someone comes up with an "imporvement" in the translation process. If they actually came up with a perfect translation I would, but knowing that all of them have their failings, I'm not so quick to switch.

I began using the NIV when I was in seminary (some of these better versions were not available yet) and now I'm comfortable working with it and don't feel like making the $ investment that switching to another version would entail at this point in my ministry. If I was just beginning, I might be more likely to use the NRSV, but then again, I might not, as there are still more resources available for the NIV than anything except the KJV.
 
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Peace,

I had a question: I have seen jewish men wearing this cloth (if i may call it this) it's cream, and has stripes at the bottom of it, along with some strings at the end of it.. i hope u understand this description (it's not very accurate! :X) sorry..
i was wondering what it is and why they wear it? is it compulsary to wear?

Also i have also noticed that men sumtymes wear the trousers above the ankles.. are men not allowed to wear the trousers below the ankles? (as in Islam)

i was just interested that's all.

Thanx

Peace :)
 
*~Sofia~* said:
Peace,

I had a question: I have seen jewish men wearing this cloth (if i may call it this) it's cream, and has stripes at the bottom of it, along with some strings at the end of it.. i hope u understand this description (it's not very accurate! :X) sorry..
i was wondering what it is and why they wear it? is it compulsary to wear?

Also i have also noticed that men sumtymes wear the trousers above the ankles.. are men not allowed to wear the trousers below the ankles? (as in Islam)

i was just interested that's all.

Thanx

Peace :)
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Shalom,

It could either be a Tallit Gadol or a Tallit Kattan.

A Tallit Gadol or large Tallis looks like this:

23i.jpg


And a Tallis Kattan is worn under the shirt with the strings coming out, and it looks like this:

81f32e7d93b0b8e46f6e93b2eb7382bd.jpg


The reason we wear them:

A. Tzitzit are the four-cornered, tasseled jersey worn by Jewish males as part of the Jewish dress code. “Tzitzit” means fringes, because technically, any four-cornered garment worn by males is Torah-required by Positive Mitzvah #14 to be strung with tassels. Since these days we don't normally wear four cornered shirts, the mitzvah is done by simply wearing a four-cornered jersey all the time, and putting the tassels on that.
B. The jersey is usually made of wool or cotton, and is generally worn under the shirt, with the tassels neatly tucked out at either hip. Some Chassidic groups have the custom of wearing the jersey on top of their white shirts.

C. Each tassel consists of four long white strings, hand-tied onto the jersey through pairs of holes just off each corner. After the first anchoring knot, a series of alternating spirals and knots form the first few inches of the tassel, with the loose strings creating the remainder. The finished product vaguely resembles a tasseled curtain drawstring.

What is the purpose of tzitzit?

1. The Jewish Boy Scouts

Next to the Yarmulke or Kipah, the tzitzit are what makes a Jewish guy stand out the most. On the simplest level, they’re part of your uniform. They remind you of who you are. “Why am I wearing these strings?” you may ask yourself one day. “Oh, that’s right—I’m Jewish.” They’re there to constantly keep you alert.

2. No Strings Attached

“But, why strings?” you ask. “Why not any other symbol?” Good question. Clothes make the man, and are very much a way of expressing who he is. Comes along G-d with His Torah, and says, “Whoever you are, add Me to the mix.” That’s why the tzitzit are attached to one’s wardrobe—denoting that at the fringes of the fabric, where the person’s identity begins, is where one’s Jewish identity begins too.

3. All in Knots

A deeper reason, our sages taught, is that the tzitzit are a symbol of the 613 Mitzvot. Yes, tzitzit are a pleasant ethnic trigger, reminding me of my Jewish heritage, but, so what? What do I do with it now that I’ve thought of it? Here’s how tzitzit symbolize the mitzvot: the five Hebrew letters that comprise the Hebrew word tzitzit each have a numerical value (the Hebrew alphabet doubles as a code of sorts), and the total numerical value of “tzitzit” adds up to 600. Now, add the numbers eight and five, as symbolized by the eight strings and five knots of each tassel, respectively, and presto! You’ve got 613. Wearing tzitzit, you are a walking symbol of all the 613 mitzvot. Don’t forget them.

http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=150&o=140​

Have a great day.
 
Peace Rav,

thnx for gettin back to me on the above question :) i understand now!
how bout the other question tho:

are men allowed to wear their trousers below the ankle, as i have seen some men wear 'em above the ankles..

thnx again :)

Peace out
 
Rosh Hashanah

I would like to wish our Jewish members here at LI a happy Jewish New Year! :)

Perhaps you can tell me little more about what occasion you celebrate at Rosh Hashanah, and how?

Peace
 
Re: Palestinian-israeli Conflict - By Lamaggad & lavikor201 :)

lavikor201 said:
I beg you to follow these seven laws and garuntee your place in Heaven. Any non-Jew who follows these laws are given a place in heaven.

-To behave justly in all relationships, and to establish courts of justice.
-To refrain from blaspheming Gods name.
-To refrain from practicing idolatry.
-To avoid immoral practices, specifically incest and adultery.
-To avoid shedding the blood of ones fellow man.
-To refrain from robbing ones fellow man.
-To refrain from eating a limb torn from a live animal.
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So i dont really get i then.

Anyone could do the above, so really, what is the point in being Jewish?

You could follow them without being a jew, right? So why be a jew?

(im not attacking your religion, but i dont really see why you would stick to your religion, please could you explain)
 
Is there any tradition in your books about a Jewish nation that lived by the sea who broke the shabbat by fishing? and what happened to them?

And does Rosh Hashanah arrive at the same time as the Muslim Ramadan every year?
are you allowed to answer my questions on the shabbat?

And Rav, you have a point 'Almah simply means a young woman. To say virgin would be a mistranslation! how about that the KJV Mistrnaslation of the Tanakh. I am sure you would agree thats chilul hashem right there.
 
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Well, according to Ann Coulter I'm a "perfected Jew". :rollseyes

I only said that because I actually can answer the question about Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah, which falls on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishri, does NOT arrive at the same time as the Muslim Ramadan every year. Read more about Rosh Hashanah here: Judaism 101

For the rest of the questions, I think a more excellent answer can be provided by our more informed Jewish friends.
 
I have a question which I think I know the answer to but I'll just check with the Jews of this forum:

Is there any legitimacy, from a halachic viewpoint, to the ideas of Rabbi Meir Kahane?
 
well, this section was closed during ramadan. he may have forgotten all about us. :cry:
i hope not because i really miss him!
 
snakelegs said:
well, this section was closed during ramadan. he may have forgotten all about us. :cry:
i hope not because i really miss him!
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:sl:

ohhh rite.. i forgot bout that! neway yeh i miss him too, he's very informative! lets hope he misses us too n cums back :coolious::w:
 
I am interested in Judaic studies and have bought a bunch of books, infact I read everything that is Jewish from Viktor Ostrovsky's "By Way of Deception" to "Exploring Rabbinic Literature" by Michel Shekal - OK, what I find most "confusing" is that Jews claim that Abraham (Prophet Ibrahim) was Jewish, so how come Ishmael (Prophet Ismail, the son of Prophet Ibrahim) became Moslem and they both built the Holy Ka'abah???

If, this is true that Prophet Ibrahim was Jewish, than he should have built a Synagogue close to a place where he lived instead of travelling all the way to Bacca and build Holy Ka'abah???

one more questions, why all of their "religious events" have close ties with agrirarian culture???
 
silkworm said:
I am interested in Judaic studies and have bought a bunch of books, infact I read everything that is Jewish from Viktor Ostrovsky's "By Way of Deception" to "Exploring Rabbinic Literature" by Michel Shekal - OK, what I find most "confusing" is that Jews claim that Abraham (Prophet Ibrahim) was Jewish, so how come Ishmael (Prophet Ismail, the son of Prophet Ibrahim) became Moslem and they both built the Holy Ka'abah???

If, this is true that Prophet Ibrahim was Jewish, than he should have built a Synagogue close to a place where he lived instead of travelling all the way to Bacca and build Holy Ka'abah???

one more questions, why all of their "religious events" have close ties with agrirarian culture???
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I hope some Jewish forummers could stop by here in this forum and would answer your questions. We used to have a rabbi here.
 
i don't know their e-mail and there's no point in sending them a PM if they don't come here any more....
 
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