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Ask JTF For March 18 Broadcast

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Maccabi:
I never had a Bar Mitzvah.

Do you have a recommended starters reading syllabus for a 29 yr old Jew who is really just getting started with study?

Can you give me:

A: the top 5 most important books in Judaism and
B: the order I should read them in?
C: Name of best publishing company (where I won't find any left wing influence in the writing or commentary)

As much detail as you can give on what books to read would be appreciated.

I see lots of books at the bookstore, and am not quite sure what are the best ones to be reading.

Vito:
Shalom Chaim,

First question: You say that Bible believing Christians and good Jews will and do produce intelligent, creative, inovative people (which I fully believe as well), but what about the atheist creative people (both of Jewish and Christian desent), how do they become creative? George Soros for instance said his parents weren't religious at all, and has said some extremely vile things about G-d and the Bible, and he is considered a great financial (evil) genius. Is it a reenforcement for evil people in the fight between good and evil, or are some people just born smart regardless of religious background?

The first question relates to my next question : When is a person of Jewish desent no longer Jewish? What draws the line between a self-hating Jew, and a person that is no longer Jewish. I ask this because you mention the "spiritual holocaust" in Russia, at what point do you consider those Jews no longer Jewish?

Toda raba,
Vito

Daniel:
Chaim,

I must take exception with what you said last week about how you think that Jews should not own pets. I couldn't disagree more and think that this is an absolutely preposterous statement. I am the proud owner of two cats and they are truly the joy of my life! There is nothing I wouldn't do for them and there is no way I would let anything or anyone take them away from me. Pets provide companionship and unconditional love. They also provide many health benefits like decreasing stress and depression and lowering blood pressure. I certainly can't comprehend how you can make this a Jewish issue and state that Jews shouldn't own any pets. I also think it's even more absurd when you state that dogs love Jews and hate Arabs. The great thing about pets is that they don't discriminate among religion, race, ethnicity, or culture. Pets provide unconditional love to their owners regardless of any of this. It's ridiculous to think that we can take the prejudices that we possess and project them onto pets who do not and cannot harbor prejudices against anyone according to race, religion, or culture. This is not a Jewish issue and nobody has the right to tell anyone that they shouldn't own pets. With all due respect, I expect better from you.

Daniel

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