Questions about Judaism answered by a Jew!

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lavikor201 said:
Heaven and Hell are not discussed at large in te written law/Torah, but instead in the Oral Torah/law.

If you wish I will elaborate tonight, or tommorow more on this subject, but I am in a rush.
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Please. But only as you are able. I certainly understand what it means to not have time. It may be next week before I even have time to come back to read your response.

One other thing I think I need more help understanding is the role of Oral Torah. How is it/was it preserved? (Orally, I know. But there must be more to it, for while the written Torah could be checked, what were the checks on the Oral Torah?) Would the Oral Torah have evolved over time? Why have both a written and an oral Torah? Are both equally authoritative to the life and practice of Jews? Is it also considered scripture? What is the relationship between the Oral Torah and the Talmud? What is the difference between Oral Torah and folklore? Since I have no one to tell me the Oral Torah, how can I study it today (in English)?
 
One other thing I think I need more help understanding is the role of Oral Torah. How is it/was it preserved? (Orally, I know. But there must be more to it, for while the written Torah could be checked, what were the checks on the Oral Torah?)

The sages all knew it by heart, the Oral tradition although Jews have spreadin many parts of the world remained the same. Of course there are opinions on the best way tio follow the Oral Tradition which are recorded in the Talmud. The Oral tradition is our proof that we are the chosen. When the greek translation appeared non-Jews had our Holy Torah, but creating a religion as the basis of it, is nothing if you do not have the Oral tradition to go along and explain every law and how to follow it.

Many times in the Torah it is said, "and you shall follow this the way I have taught you/commanded you". Yet nowhere is it taught or commanded. That is because it is in the Oral tradition.

A religion based on the Torah/Bible without the Oral traditions is one that is incomplete, and therefore our proof that they are not the chosen ones.

It is written now, but it is to late for the religions which claim to be continuations of Judaism to claim the Talmud holy to them as well. Both deny its validity and therefore, both are incorrect.



Would the Oral Torah have evolved over time? Why have both a written and an oral Torah? Are both equally authoritative to the life and practice of Jews?
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The Oral Torah explains the Written one. Without the Oral law it is impossible to follow the written one.

Is it also considered scripture? What is the relationship between the Oral Torah and the Talmud?
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Same thing. The Mishna is the law and the Gemora explains and comments on the Mishna. TheMishna and gemora make the Talmud.



What is the difference between Oral Torah and folklore? Since I have no one to tell me the Oral Torah, how can I study it today (in English)?
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You can read some of it online here:

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

But beware that many anti-semites feel they must attack the Talmud and do not understand it. Reading it without commentary is very dangerous since you may not understand the concepts very well.

The entire Talmud is in books, and is not online.
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lavikor201 said:
A religion based on the Torah/Bible without the Oral traditions is one that is incomplete....

...claim the Talmud holy...

What is the relationship between the Oral Torah and the Talmud?
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Same thing. The Mishna is the law and the Gemora explains and comments on the Mishna. TheMishna and gemora make the Talmud.
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What I understood from what you wrote is
1) the Oral Torah and the Talmud are one and the same thing.
2) one does not have the complete Torah without also having the Oral Torah (also known as the Talmud).
3) the Talmud is of equal authority as the Written Torah and is considered to be holy scripture by Jews.
4) some divisions of the Talmud are into the Mishna and the Gemora.
5) there are other commentaries beyond the Gemora that are not considered holy scripture, but that are needed to properly understand the Torah.

Please correct me on any mis-statements I may have made.
 
Phil said:
omniscience and free will are imcompatible
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I beg to differ. We had a brief discussion about this in another thread. How does God knowing about the future hinder you from making a choice? How does God's predetermination of everything prevent you from making a choice? Yes, your choices are known to God, but they are not known to you. Therefore you have the free will to make choices, but it's your intention behind those choices that determine your fate in the hereafter.
 
I beg to differ. We had a brief discussion about this in another thread. How does God knowing about the future hinder you from making a choice? How does God's predetermination of everything prevent you from making a choice? Yes, your choices are known to God, but they are not known to you. Therefore you have the free will to make choices, but it's your intention behind those choices that determine your fate in the hereafter.
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All about intent. Intent on what you will do is huge in free will. Not only that, but G-d knows everyway you could have done everything therefore G-d knows and you have free will.

By the way Skywalker, I posted this seperate the sole purpose being because your post did not deserve to be in the same post as the responses to Mr. I hate G-d. It would have been a shame on your amazing ability to reason and understand.

It's not just the foreknowledge but also god's authorship of the person, that makes it illogical. Now you can say that god gives you freewill when he makes you, the problem is god also had the choice to make you differently given his perfect knowledge, but he didn't.
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So? He didn't for a reason. Everything has a purpose.
 
Lavikor I need your help:


Can you give me the ways/laws we used to prostrate ourself in the days of the temple?

I had a good article on it but I cant find it maybe you do


Toda raba
 
King David said:
Lavikor I need your help:


Can you give me the ways/laws we used to prostrate ourself in the days of the temple?

I had a good article on it but I cant find it maybe you do


Toda raba
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I'm sorry but I am not really sure on it. I can ask someone if you want to know. It may take a day or so.
 
I remember reading here that Jews reject the notion that there will be a second coming of the Messiah. But I just found out that there are some Orthodox Jews that believe that the Messiah lived, died and will return. It's called Chabad Messianism. I haven't read the full Wikipedia entry, but I'd like to hear about your perspective on this.
 
I also found that there has been an attempt to revive the institution of Sanhedrin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_attempts_to_revive_the_Sanhedrin

Do the Jews on this forum accept this as true Sanhedrin? Here are examples of what they have done so far:

This visit culminated in a declaration that the "Jewish people should begin collecting supplies for the rebuilding of the Temple".

For Passover 2007, they led a drive to offer the passover sacrifice on the Temple Mount.

Their annual public conference in 2007 included calls for the public to support a government based on Jewish Law. (Shouldn't Israel, according to Jewish law, remain secular so as not to become a Jewish state?)

They blew the shofar on Rosh Hashanah in September 2006, which fell on a Shabbat. This was essentially a claim to the rights and authority of a true Sanhedrin
 
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Abu Zakariya said:
I remember reading here that Jews reject the notion that there will be a second coming of the Messiah. But I just found out that there are some Orthodox Jews that believe that the Messiah lived, died and will return. It's called Chabad Messianism. I haven't read the full Wikipedia entry, but I'd like to hear about your perspective on this.
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They are considered traitors, and about every Orthodox Rabbi lables them as crazy psyco's.

People like Sabbatai Tzvei were also Jews and followed Torah, but are complete apostates.

I love Rav Shach:

When once asked which religion was theologically closest to Judaism, Shach responded "Chabad".

Howver I must remind you that majoirty of Chabad does not follow this crazy messianism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliezer_Schach

I also found that there has been an attempt to revive the institution of Sanhedrin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_..._the_Sanhedrin

Do the Jews on this forum accept this as true Sanhedrin? Here are examples of what they have done so far:

This visit culminated in a declaration that the "Jewish people should begin collecting supplies for the rebuilding of the Temple".

For Passover 2007, they led a drive to offer the passover sacrifice on the Temple Mount.

Their annual public conference in 2007 included calls for the public to support a government based on Jewish Law. (Shouldn't Israel, according to Jewish law, remain secular so as not to become a Jewish state?)

They blew the shofar on Rosh Hashanah in September 2006, which fell on a Shabbat. This was essentially a claim to the rights and authority of a true Sanhedrin
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Very few if any think they are valid.

But Israel, should not by any means remain secular. What Israel should not do is regain the traditions that the Moshaich is suppose to bring because this is rebeling against G-d and not trusting in Hashem and trying to do it ourselves.

Some fear that if certain Rabbi's who believe humanity brings Moshiach get in power they will start Temple Mount craze, which the majority of Rabbi's say is completly bad.

I say, Israel should not be secular, but Rabbi's who will try further the Moshiach should be banned from being in power. But of course they have opinions to, and we have "freedom of speech" we must follow.

Rabbi Avraham Yeshayah Karelitz, (the Chazon Ish) quotes the Radvaz that no one is fit to renew the Sanhedrin. He concluded that any discussion of the topic in this "orphaned generation" is ludicrous.

Chazon Ish: Choshen Mishpat Likutim 1
 
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Well lavikor201, we have the same views on somethings, but on zionism, we have very different views.

First Chabad Messianism. Followers of the Chasidic group "Chabad" who believe Menachem Mendel Shneerson who has died, are not only apostates, but have formed their own religion. The majority of Chabad followers do not follow this insane ideology but those who do, should and are not allowed in Orthodox shuls outside their own camp. Many opinions say we may not drink their wine because if they touch it, then it is not Kosher.

Second The "New" Sanhedrin. The Orthodox community does not recongnize nor does the Orthodox community believe them to be even close to valid. The fact that they: "They blew the shofar on Rosh Hashanah in September 2006, which fell on a Shabbat. This was essentially a claim to the rights and authority of a true Sanhedrin." is a desecration of Shabbat.

Third is Zionism. I do not know what camp of view you hold lavikor201, but Zionism and the creation of a Jewish state by secular or non-secular means was forbiden. However, we are told that if we commit a forbiden act that we only must undo the act, if it follows Jewish law in doing so. Secular Jews who do not follow the Torah created the state of Israel, and now since it has been done, we must follow what Jewish law says on the matter. Jewish law says that we may break any law of the Torah to save our lives but three laws. We may not kill someone to save our life, rape someone to save our life, or worship an idol/disbelieve to save our life. Jewish law also says that Jewish life must be taken into account. If we disbanded the state of Israel, many Jews would die from Arab attacks because the arabs have become blood thristy because of zionism, therefore it is against Jewish law to disband the state of Israel. The crazy people that march with terrorists because they believe Jews should not have a state should be put into excommunication because they march with people who hate Jews, and have Jewish blood on their hands.

Read this post for more:

http://www.islamicboard.com/679487-post1.html
 
Natural means? Do you think the people of Sodom died by natural means? Do you think God was sane when he decided to destroy all life via a flood when Noah was 600? Even the Torah refutes your claim:

"The terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them." 35:5

People dying naturally, and people being killed intentionally by God (Leviticus 14:34), are two different notions. The later implies God is genocidal.
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G-d created you so is he not allowed to take you away if you disobey him? But your looking at life through a very narrow lense. Since you do not believe in an afterlife, you look at someone who dies as the worst punishment possible. I believe that not following the Torah is a worse fate then death and following the Torah. If your going to quote from Jewish scripture then you have to respect that you must quote and interprit according to our beliefs, if you wish to use our own scriptures to justify your arguments.

Say if I make a new invention and say that you can use it for as long as I wish you can. I then one day decide to take it away. Am I not allowed to do that? The people that died brought it upon themselves by raping, killing, sacrificing children and even more disgusting things. Therefore, they would not be even in existance if G-d di not create them and there choices that they were granted as a part of free will were the wrong choices for them to make.

You then view death as some kind of a difference with G-d's involvement. When G-d creates a plague and it kills, and a man dies from a heart attack, or earthquake, or old age. They died because G-d decided there time was up. They could be great people, and now when they get to heaven will be saying "Thank G-d I am out of earth!"

But I kind of laughed because I think you completly misunderstood the post you quoted.

He wrote: And if G-d did not "destroy" those nations, but rather caused its members to expire by "natureal" means - that would be acceptable to these people?

So he never claimed that G-d killed them by natural means.

If this is the case then why do Jews claimed that the state of Israel is a fulfillment of prophecy?
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It is not. Christians do however.

That made no sense at all. A gentile is a gentile, and there are no degrees of gentility. You also assume that the Holocaust was exclusively for Jews. What did the blacks, gays, and disabled do wrong to meet the same fate? Also, your God seems rather egotistical, for He killed millions of Jews for not worshipping Him properly.
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They did nothing wrong. The Jews began rebeling against the Torah so therefore, G-d di not kill the six million Jews, he just did not protect them any longer. These Jews are in heaven now, and some say they were reincarnated and they needed to learn one last lesson dealing with the evil impulse. Hitler is still accountable for his crimes because he used free will.

Do you believe Hashem is omniscient? Yes or no? If you say yes, then you admit that every event is FIXED and there is nothing you can do to change it.
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Let's say you have a time machine and you go into the future and observe people's actions.

Would anybody say that because you peeked into the future actions of those people they no longer have free will?

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This entire portion of your post reeks of delusion. Not only is the Torah’s story of the creation of the universe scientifically regressive, it is also nonsensical. Is God this egotistical to make a book to justify why we should worship Him?
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You don't need to worship him. Just be righteous which the seven laws of Noah dictates. G-d di not speak before your ancestors, and your ancestors did not accept G-d so hashem does not expect you to follow the Torah. It was not written for you, and the Talmud says gentiles should not study Torah because you cannot understand it without the oral law.
 
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Attention:

Discussion on G-d and his actions in the Torah will no longer take place in this thread. The accusations of atheists who do not understand the first thing of the Torah nor the philosophy of Judaism are to much to bear. To explain every concept to these people will take forever, and I should nor do I need to justify G-d's actions.

Therefore, questions about Judaism may continue to but arguments with little children that try to tell me how G-d works and how free will works when they are unbelievers will not persist. I do not have the patience to deal with such people.

Study of Torah is a lot more productive then explaining G-d to a human who cannot get a grip that he is so tiny in this whole universe that the fact that he doesn't understand is suppose to happen.
 
These Jews are in heaven now, and some say they were reincarnated and they needed to learn one last lesson dealing with the evil impulse
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Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, please share more information about this concept. Do the reincarnated Jews know that they lived earlier for instance (since it was a lesson for them)?
 
Abu Zakariya said:
Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, please share more information about this concept. Do the reincarnated Jews know that they lived earlier for instance (since it was a lesson for them)?
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There are many Jewish sources dealing with what is popularly called "reincarnation." In Hebrew, it is called "gilgul ha'ne'shamot," literally the recycling or transmigration of souls.
This concept can be compared to a flame of one candle lighting another candle. While the essence of the second flame comes from the first one, the second flame is an independent entity.
Still, the new flame contains imperfections inherited from the initial flame, and it is these imperfections that are to be corrected.

Most of the written material is very esoteric, often written in Aramaic. Some of the prominent works dealing with this subject are the "Zohar" (1st century) and the Arizal's "Shaar HaGilgulim" (16th century). In the Bible itself, the idea is intimated in Deut. 25:5-10.

Many sources say that a soul has a maximum of three chances in this world. One example given is that the great Talmudic sage Hillel was a reincarnation of the Biblical figure Aaron.
The soul only comes into this world in the first place in order to make a spiritual repair. If that is not fulfilled by the end of one's lifetime, then the soul will be sent down once again. The return trip may only be needed for a short time or in a limited way. This in part explains why people are born with handicaps or may live a brief life.

It is not necessary that there be a conscious awareness in order for the correction to take place. Conscious awareness is only one level of understanding.

This idea is explored in an interesting book called "Psychic Phenomena," by Dorothy Bemar Bradley, M.D., and Robert A. Bradley M.D.:

"Mentally retarded children have been known to burst out with unexpected abilities under altered awareness, manifesting the contents of the undamaged and theoretically undamageable unconscious mind."

In other words, there are levels of understanding that transcend the conscious level, even in children.
Re: your second question. Why does this have to involve the body in the first place?
Truly, some "corrections" do not have to take place through the body, but rather take place in the soul world, in the afterlife.

However, sometimes the correction must occur in the physical world. For example, it may involve a certain challenge of choosing the "right thing" over choosing the "comfortable thing." Or other people may have to be involved. And the soul cannot interact with the physical world in any other way expect through a body.

The bottom line in all this is that a person's life situation provides everything necessary to achieve ideal growth. Our task is simply to employ our free will -- i.e. to properly and effectively use the opportunities that we have.
All the best to you in this and future lives.

http://www.aish.com/rabbi/ATR_browse.asp?s=reincarnation&f=tqak&offset=1
 
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