They have no right to do this. >:(
This is a weird question, is there any chance that they are doing all of these evil things on purpose to cause pain to Israel, in hopes of Moshiach?
No. This is crazy thinking and actions. They are doing this because they don't give a F%^k about anything Jewish.Completely agree! Impossible in any other sane country. This a "thank you!" to Vatican for enabling the Holocaust and for the millenniums of persecutions against Jews.
This is a weird question, is there any chance that they are doing all of these evil things on purpose to cause pain to Israel, in hopes of Moshiach?I better clarify. .. I was talking about Israel's leaders.
Completely agree! Impossible in any other sane country. This a "thank you!" to Vatican for enabling the Holocaust and for the millenniums of persecutions against Jews.
The self-hating Jewish race.. What more can I say.. As of late, I have not been happy being a Jew or going to shul.. All naive brain-dead Jews talk about is their tennis club, the son's summer camp or the great cruise they are going to be taking.. My new synagogue is having Harry Potter themed Shabbat night.. woohoo.. I was going to suggest to the rabbi at my Chabad that instead we have Masada themed Shabbat night, I think it is much more appropriate for the occasion? A group of Jewish zealots who fought to the bloody end against Roman invaders seeking to conquer our land and destroy our race. These are the same people with a different style robe seeking to reignite the Crusades to capture Jerusalem!!It could be a whole lot worse. At least the people of your shul care about relatively normal, mundane things, even if they are irrelevant to the world. A lot of shuls would only talk about negroes or sodomite marches or snivel-rights for the Fakestinians or legalizing the Aztlanist invaders. Are you totally sure that these Jews are beyond redemption? They sound like average middle-class Americans more than irredeemable leftist scum of the earth.
We should declare war on both of the old Crusaders, the Catholics and the Muslims.. Both are the enemy of the Jewish people and always will be.. My condolences to good Catholics out there who want no part of the evilness of their Catholic monarchy which has run their religion with an iron fist for generations just as the Islamists are run by their own sultans and form of monarchy, especially the Shias, who's ayatollah more or less function's as an Islamic pope.
I say EVERY LAST JEW IS DEAD AT THE HANDS OF THE CRUSADERS AND JEWISH TRAITORS BEFORE WE GIVE UP THE TOMB!! >:(
This is a weird question, is there any chance that they are doing all of these evil things on purpose to cause pain to Israel, in hopes of Moshiach?
Huh?Like Iran and the 12th Imam. It was just a thought.
The self-hating Jewish race.. What more can I say.. As of late, I have not been happy being a Jew or going to shul..
I was going to suggest to the rabbi at my Chabad that instead we have Masada themed Shabbat night, I think it is much more appropriate for the occasion? A group of Jewish zealots who fought to the bloody end against Roman invaders seeking to conquer our land and destroy our race. These are the same people with a different style robe seeking to reignite the Crusades to capture Jerusalem!!
The self-hating Jewish race.. What more can I say.. As of late, I have not been happy being a Jew or going to shul.. All naive brain-dead Jews talk about is their tennis club, the son's summer camp or the great cruise they are going to be taking.. My new synagogue is having Harry Potter themed Shabbat night.. woohoo.. I was going to suggest to the rabbi at my Chabad that instead we have Masada themed Shabbat night, I think it is much more appropriate for the occasion? A group of Jewish zealots who fought to the bloody end against Roman invaders seeking to conquer our land and destroy our race. These are the same people with a different style robe seeking to reignite the Crusades to capture Jerusalem!!
We should declare war on both of the old Crusaders, the Catholics and the Muslims.. Both are the enemy of the Jewish people and always will be.. My condolences to good Catholics out there who want no part of the evilness of their Catholic monarchy which has run their religion with an iron fist for generations just as the Islamists are run by their own sultans and form of monarchy, especially the Shias, who's ayatollah more or less function's as an Islamic pope.
I say EVERY LAST JEW IS DEAD AT THE HANDS OF THE CRUSADERS AND JEWISH TRAITORS BEFORE WE GIVE UP THE TOMB!! >:(
As annoying as our brethren are remember how the galut, the exile has poisoned us, and how there are many good Jews as well. The Rebbe himself was a tireless warrior to save Eretz Yisrael from the foolishness of the Israeli government.
We are not a "race" and its stupid to talk like this. And if by this then to stop doing Misswath as a result an even worse thing to do.
Masada? Naa. Its not a good example of people killing themselves. This is what the hellinists made and perhaps subconsciously want. That is their place. Our place is the Holy Temple.
The self-hating Jewish race.. What more can I say.. As of late, I have not been happy being a Jew or going to shul.. All naive brain-dead Jews talk about is their tennis club, the son's summer camp or the great cruise they are going to be taking.. My new synagogue is having Harry Potter themed Shabbat night.. woohoo.. I was going to suggest to the rabbi at my Chabad that instead we have Masada themed Shabbat night, I think it is much more appropriate for the occasion? A group of Jewish zealots who fought to the bloody end against Roman invaders seeking to conquer our land and destroy our race. These are the same people with a different style robe seeking to reignite the Crusades to capture Jerusalem!!
Is this synagogue Orthodox? I've heard discussions about whether Harry Potter should be permitted at all. It has witchcraft in it. I remember hearing over 10 years ago that there are some religious kids who read Harry Potter and pretend to make spells with their forks at the Shabbat table because their learn about making spells with wands in Harry Potter.
Would you consider the Chabad , Orthodox?? I guess that question alone is up for debate.. But, the more I attend Chabad the more I realize how un-Orthodox it truly is.. At least, the ones where I live..
Chabad is an Orthodox Jewish organization. The Rabbis of Chabad keep the commandments according to the Shuchan Aruch (which all Orthodox Jews keep)... Chabad does not insist all who attend their services to be Orthodox though, and they are open to Jews of all types.
But Chabad keeps the commandments and provides the ability for others to... I don't know what is wrong with Chabad..
EJA44,Obviously, my Chabad doesn't teach that witchcraft is real nor does it teach the tooth fairy is real.. However, there is a big difference between watching a movie, playing a video game/card game/ role-playing game and dressing up and imitating these characters in a holy place of G-d..
Watching Harry Potter or reading it does not constitute witchcraft according to the Torah. It is possible for a person to read or watch a program which discusses the topic of witches without believing that they really exist. So long as those involved do not believe that there are real witches or that witchcraft is a craft which has power then according to Jewish belief it is OK.
Does your Chabad teach that Harry Potter is real or that witchcraft is real? I seriously doubt that. Having a Harry Potter themed party is not witchcraft, it is supposed to be a fun thing that is popular with a lot of the kids today. I myself have not read or watched a single Potter film or book... But in my days I did read a lot of the Dungeons and Dragons themed stories (which contain stories of magic and sorcery) but I never for a moment believed that they were real.
So I don't know if your protests against this is warranted.
See this discussion on the topic showing that Harry Potter does not represent any Jewish values..
EJA44,
I do not know your Chabad rabbi and thus I don't know what his intention or thought was in doing this.
You know that during Purim it is OK to dress as Haman or Achasverach and other bad guys... But you are talking about a Shabbaton with this theme... You have said your relation with this Rabbi is strained (I think you said this, if not please correct me)... I would ask the Rabbi about it, voicing your concerns...
If you would like I will discuss this with my Chabad rabbi and see what his opinion is...
I hear what you are saying and think you have some points.Muman.. You are an encyclopedia of great information of Jewish law, minhag, halacha. What can I say, I always enjoy your posts!!
Have you asked the Rabbi about this or are you afraid he and the community may have an issue with your concern?
Anyway, here is more information about how we should respect the Sanctuary.
Shalom EJA44,
Do not sacrifice your life... Yemen is dangerous for Jews... Judaism does not require that we sacrifice our lives except for the cardinal 3 (Idolatry, Murder, and Sexual immorality) See http://www.aish.com/atr/Big_3_Cardinal_Sins.html...
You should be able to find a community of Jews which respect you and honor you. I am sorry it seems like money is the issue. My Chabad gives honor to just about everyone who comes regardless of whether they contribute money or are new to the community. But we all live in different communities and things are not the same everywhere.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. I have several Rabbis I respect who I can call with any difficult questions.
I will take up this issue with my Chabad rabbi this Shabbat (regarding the Harry Potter Shabbaton)...
A non-Jew doesn't have to wear a kippa.
I've decided I am going to leave this very LIBERAL college Chabad. I cannot deal with all the spoiled brat college pukes who attend there and the rabbi who just overlooks all the offenses that are being committed at this shul. It's sad this place had to bear the "Chabad logo". They invited two goyim to attend the synagogue. I don't exactly know the rules. However, one of the non-Jewish guys was not wearing a kippa and I told him he needs to put on a kippa when he is in a synagogue. His idiot friend then tells him to take it off and that he doesn't need to wear it.. Was I in the wrong? As far as I know in any Orthodox synagogue, you are suppose to wear a kippa. Does being next to a college campus mean you no longer have to follow halacha to appease the liberal college kids who attend your shul?That was really funny, but I have a bone to pick with you... You were complaining about how your Chabad wasn't Orthodox enough, but you're on the Computer on Shabbat?
The people there treat me like I am some type of crazed religious psycho. It appears to be more of a cool, hip college hangout than a holy and righteous place of G-d. BTW, they supposedlky welcome everybody so should not be treating non-college people with contempt, like they do. I just about knocked out this one snotty rich kid who started bitching at me for consuming kosher protein powder while I was at the synagogue. This was after the moron told me he eats pork and shellfish and that it is no big deal. I am like why are you b*tching at me for consuming kosher protein powder, when you admit you break some of the most important rules of kashrut and have no shame, eating pork and shellfish. Then the guy starts mocking me for liking Israeli music and asks me what Mizrachi music or Mizrachi Jews are?? I am thinking to myself, do you know anything about Jews, besides the ones you grew up with in your liberal Amercian synagouge in the most wealthy city of the metro area??? He starts just laughing cause he deems me not cool as him and his spoiled bratty college friends. He also was assuring me the Chabad is very liberal, easy-going and accepting. I was like, I think you are getting carried away with how liberal you believe the Chabad to be. This seems to be the mentality of him and the other snotty liberal college brats who populate this Chabad. He then starts getting into a rant with his other college friends about how bad Christians are to gay people. Keeping my mouth shut, I was thinking to myself, have you ever read what the Torah says about homosexuality, you idiot?
Now, to go bit deeper and explode on another tangent:
I have had no luck with any synagogue here in the USA.. Is Israel better?? Considering, how Westernized Israel is, I really doubt it. I hear even most Mizarchi/Sefardi in Israel follow American Jewish culture, for most part. Israel, supposedly is even more liberal than USA, as a country and is totally socialist/european in government.
I am actually considering just leaving "Modern/Western" Judaism and going my own way in life, giving up on the Jewish community altogether. Afterall, we sell off our holy sites and let our women dress like sluts in our shuls and don't mind goyim coming without covering their heads in our holy places. I am thinking modern Judaism is just a social gathering where people look for business partners or look for place to boast about their riches or family life.
As a religion, I feel we have become lost.. We have more or less let the goyim rule over our hearts and have dismissed the glory and power of Hashem. We have submitted to the European and Islamic masters and now serve their demands and desires, not our own. Until , we restore our ancient traditional minhag and zeal for glory, we will always be a suffering pathetic people. We are much quicker to jab a knife into one of our own people to silence them for hurting our pride or insulting the feelings of our so-called friend then to unite and work together to overcome the great evil that seeks our destruction.
I am actually planning a trip to Yemen to find the long lost traditional Yemenite Jews who live there, because I feel if I fail, then I die and leave this wretched earth and if I succeed I can find the last remnant of real, traditional ancient Rambam-style Judaism left in this world.
G-d Save the Fools and Traitors who sell off their holy places to their enemies.
There is no Aliyah to be made now, Israel is now in the hand of the Crusaders, we just fool ourselves thinking we own the land, when we are just , in fact, caretakers. How and when have we become so lost in our ways and felt the desire to serve the evils of the world and its Avodah Zarah rather than to serve heaven and Hashem.
That was really funny, but I have a bone to pick with you... You were complaining about how your Chabad wasn't Orthodox enough, but you're on the Computer on Shabbat?
Check all my post dates and please tell me which one of them were done on Shabbat. Remember I live in west coast USA. Unless you believe Saturday evening when I made that last post still counts as Shabbat?
BTW, I am not orthodox or claim to be. However, I expect those who claim to be Orthodox and Shomer people to be what they claim. Just as you challenged me by assuming I posted on shabbat, albeit wrongly.
I am the lowest of all Jews on earth and when I am corpse nobody will miss me. Just one less poor like in the world. Don't worry about trying to prove how shomer I am, as I will fail miserably. You and everyone else here are better Jews than me. Jews in general think they are better than everyone else. We are arrogant people and we are suffering for it. Go ahead and pick your bone with me, heck why don't ya just shoot me and put me out of my misery. Kol tuv lecha.
Yeah he's not Jewish. And don't worry dude, however bad you think you are, I'm worse, and however miserable you think you are, I literally put people into depression with my stories. Don't speak lashon hara about your people though. If you want to be a tzadik and earn the merit to become one, before even shabbat or kosher food, you have to love Am Yisrael, and since we're all being judged and treated as one, no matter your situation or your sins, you have to start with loving yourself and being thankful that Hashem gave you the opportunity to suffer here in the world of lies so you can correct your midot and pay for your sins, and if you could only see what a great gift that this life of pain is and be thankful for what Hashem does to you, we will be well on our way to merit Olam Haba.
LKZ, you say some wonderful and inspiring things here.. Maybe, I am just depressed, fed up, exhausted.. I don't know anymore, maybe i Just have given up on life.. I apologize for speaking lashon hara to my fellow Jews.. I guess being with them, I didn't feel they were truly, my "fellow Jews". Nobody there liked me or really wanted to acknowledge my presence.. At most synagogues I am just ignored and dismissed as a poor, old , loser. I have no money, unmarried at 36 and I didn't grow up in any prestigious or religious Jewish family. I feel I am more or less useless in any western synagogue, especially in the USA. I am more respected, appreciated and treated better by gentiles here than by my own Jews. I ended up living with gentiles, because my own Jewish people felt I was useless to them.
Maybe, after I do a trip to the Middle East and seek out long lost Jewish communities who can accept me, I can become a more learned and more traditional Jew.. I am planning on removing my western attire and starting to wear Yemenite attire. I don't feel I should be wearing black during Shabbat anymore, but rather be dawning white garments. I am a liberated man, not a man confined in the shtetl any longer. Not that I hate shtetl life, it had many great aspects. In our poverty and suffering in Europe, we were more humble , kind and devout people. However, I don't want to be imprisoned any longer by Western culture. I respect its goodness, but know as a Middle Eastern man, it is not my own culture. Modern European Israeli culture doesn't count as traditional Judaic Middle Eastern culture in my eyes either.
I'm thinking in a year I will start my trip to Morocco , Tunisia and then Yemen. If I survive in Yemen and succeed and finding Jewish community , my next stop will be Yerushalayim. My friend David, who went to Yemen and visited the Jewish communities there, also said that Yemenite Jews still perform traditional shidduch and don't have huge income requirements like Ashkenazi/American Sefardi do. I would like to marry a virgin girl, as I am a virgin myself.. I would like a traditional Yemenite Jewish marriage.
FYI, I never condemn a Jew for not keeping kosher or falling short of being perfect in halacha.. What irritated me was how proud this guy was about how he didn't keep kosher and how he starts yelling at me for contaminating the synagogue when he saw me take some kosher protein powder, because I needed it. I do intense weightlifting and fitness and I cannot go 4 hours after workout without it. The guy starts b*tching at me and yelling at me. I said, you proudly eat pig and shellfish and don't give a damn and you have chutzpah to chew me out over something that is kosher? Check yourself first..
The guy went on to mock me for liking Israeli music and him and his little snotty, spoiled college friends were laughing at me like I was some old fool because I was talkign about Israeli songs I liked and didn't listen to all the new age cheesy crap that he and his skanky female friends listened to. I was not insulting or mocking him at all, but he had the nerve to snicker at me and insult me. He also was getting pissed at me for discussing anything religious. Then going around promoting how Judaism accepts homosexuality right int he Chabad was really getting on my nerves.
I'm just sick at how liberal and watered down the Chabad is becoming where I live. It seems most synagogues here the mitzvot performed or more just formality, once they are done with tefillot the people are back to talking about more important things.
BTW.. A few other questions, some of you who are more learned in Halacha can answer for me in regards to my comments about Jewish women/girls I see at the Kehillot:
1. What is the point of women wearing a scheitel for the sake of Tzniut, when they dawn a sexy, tight mini skirt that shows their hot round buttocks and sexy legs.. I mean, isn't the whole point of a scheitel for the sake of Tzniut, which are the mitzvot of modesty? Some of the Chabad ladies wear just the most sexy outfits that will make any hormone-laden man ooze, trust me!! I just don't get it.. Wouldn't it be more appropriate according to Tzniut for the woman to wear a less revealing dress rather than a wig???
2. Why is a wig considered fulfilling to Tzniut, when it looks like a real hair and arouses men and still gives the woman a look of sexual appeal. WOuldn't a tichel or head covering be more appropriate for Tzniut? Before the Sefardim/Mizrachi became Westernized and adopted Ashkenazi minhag, I hear they shunned the scheitel and would only have women wear tichel or gargush/karkosh (Yemenite Jews).
3. Does Torah prohibit women from wearing man-like clothing? Many women at the Chabads I have attended wear very tight, sexy looking jeans that show their round butts. Not only is it sexually arousing to men, but the jeans are clothing that have been generations worn as male work clothing and have a somewhat masculine appearance, although most women wear them because they show body shape and are easy to wear. I have read that Orthodox Jews, from all sides, Ashkenazi/Mizrachi forbid women wearing jeans, especially in the synagogue. Any comments here?
Quotes
From the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov: one cannot estimate the amazing power of Ahavas Yisrael. Friends who together arouse heavenly mercy for another friend in distress have the power to tear up a 70-year heavenly decree. They can turn a curse into a blessing and death into long life.
(Sefer HaToldos of the Previous Rebbe, Vol. 1, p. 131)
Ahavas Yisrael was the primary "Avodah" of the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. Each of the disciples had to acquire for himself a good friend. The Baal Shem Tov trained even the simple Jews to have Ahavas Yisrael - always to look upon another only with a favorable eye.
(Igros Kodesh of the Previous Rebbe, Vol. 3, p. 269)
So, too, in matters affecting a person's relations with his fellow, as soon as there rises from his heart to his mind any animosity or hatred, G-d forbid, or jealousy, anger, or a grudge and the like, he allows them no entrance into his mind and will. On the contrary, his mind exercises its authority and power over the feelings in his heart to do the very opposite, namely, to conduct himself towards his fellow with the quality of kindness and a display of abundant love to the extreme limits, without becoming provoked into anger, G-d forbid, or to revenge in kind, G-d forbid, but rather to repay the offenders with favors, as taught in the Zohar, that one should learn from the example of Yosef towards his brothers.
(Tanya, ch. 12)
Therefore, my beloved and dear ones, i beg of you to make an effort with all your heart and soul to drive into your heart the love for one's fellow man, as it is written (Zechariah 8:17): "And none of you should consider in your hearts that which is evil to his fellow man." Such consideration should never rise in the heart, and if it does rise, one is to push it away from the heart "As smoke is driven away" and truly like an idolatrous thought, for to speak evil is as grave as idolatry, incest, and the shedding of blood combined. if this be true of speech....; And the advantage of thought over speech, whether for the good or for the better, is already known to all the wise of heart.
(Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 23).
On the above, from Iggeres Hakodesh, ch. 23, where the Alter Rebbe writes, "Therefore, my beloved and dear ones, I beg of you to make an effort with all your heart and soul to drive into your heart the love for one's fellow man," the Tzemach Tzedek comments: "One who drives Ahavas Yisrael into his heart becomes a beloved friend of the Alter Rebbe."
(Sefer HaSichos 5704, p. 22)
The Tzemach Tzedek once said to his son the Rebbe Maharash: For one who helps another Jew in his livelihood, even if he helps him earn a mere 70 kopeks (a low-value Russian coin) on a calf, all the gates to the heavenly chambers are open for him. Years later the Rebbe Maharash added: one ought to know the route to the heavenly chambers, but actually, it is not crucial. You only need the main thing: to help another wholeheartedly, with sensitivity, and to take pleasure in doing a kindness to another. (HaYom Yom, p. 66)
The Tzemach Tzedek once said: Aleph, Beis, Gimmel, Daled. Aleph stands for Ahavah/love. Beis stands for Berachah/blessing. Gimmel stands for Gaavah/arrogance and Daled stands for Dalus/poverty. Where there is love there is blessing; where there is arrogance there is poverty.
(Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe, Vol. 4, p. 312)
The Rebbe Maharash once said: of what good is chassidus and piety if the main quality, Ahavas Yisrael, is lacking - even to the extent of causing (G-d forbid) anguish to another?
(HaYom Yom, p. 77)
Once the Rebbe Rashab instructed his son the Previous Rebbe to travel to a particular place to help a particular chassid and businessman. When the Previous Rebbe returned he told his father, "I have done everything you told me. I did the favor in the best manner possible." The Rebbe Rashab replied, "You are making a mistake. The favor you have done is a favor for yourself, not for the other. The A-lmighty has done the favor for the other; he arranged emissaries to fulfill the divine providence. The favor you have done is for yourself as it says in the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 34:10), "More than the house owner does for the poor man, the poor man does for the house owner."
(Igros Kodesh of the Previous Rebbe, Vol. 4, p. 46)
A Jew is not perfect, we never were intended to be perfect, and despite our imperfection Hashem still loves us and walks with us. Judaism is not a contest of 'holier than though' attitudes either. Some of your comments seem to draw comparisons between what you believe Judaism is supposed to be, and the failings of those you observe from attaining those lofty goals. We are commanded to be the best we can be, a slogan the US Army molded into 'BE ALL YOU CAN BE' which is a goal we all should try to attain. Hashem does not ask more from us than we can acheive, he gives us all we need to acheive our personal and national missions and it is up to us to make use of our G-d given talents to change the world in a positive way.Muman, I am not the one to condemn or point the finger.. In fact, it is I who is the hunted one, I am the one that people mock , insult and consider Inferior. I only wish the Jews at the synagogues I have attended could live up to the standards that you are promoting here in your post. Sadly, I feel the holier than thou attitude and the attitude of superiority and narcissism very strongly among the Jews I am around. It seems everyone is out to make a name for themselves and promote their own superiority rather than form a chavurah and help bring Jews together, lifting one another up and help one another along the way. An, example is when the Shadchan at the Sefardic kehillot I attended said no woman will marry me at the kehillot because my income is too low. That was a big F YOU to me and a sign I was not as worthy of Jewish Olam Haba as they were. My rabbi then proceeded to tell me to sign up for J-Date, since I couldn't marry anyone there. I said, no thanks, I don't want the table scraps, I'll stay celibate, since I am considered inferior in my own community. Basically, my credentials have disqualified me as being a Jew in their eyes. My zealotry, desire, kindness , etc means nothing . Did the fact me going to Africa to help dying widows and orphans hold any weight on my character? No.. People were more impressed with each other's cars or the type of camp or school their kids were attending. The only praise I received at the Sefardic kehillot I attended was about the nice watch I was wearing. Actually, I got the watch 60% off and only paid $150 for it, but it looks like a $1000 watch. All the people dressed up so nicely at this wealthy community that I tried my best with my ability to get good deals on liquidated attire/accessories to fit in.
One of the main concepts of Judaism is caring for our fellow Jews, no matter how far or close they are to Hashem. Hashem says in the Torah to love our enemies (of course not physical enemies who want to kill us) and to not bear a grudge against them, we are to honestly and lovingly rebuke them in the attempt to return them to the correct path. We should not give rebuke which pushes a person farther from Hashem though, which is one reason rebuke is such a difficult commandment.I am not one to rebuke, but I am constantly looked down on and rebuked. However, I will rebuke when I see atrocities committed. As much as I respect the wisdom you are sharing Muman, I also think this mindset can be destructive and dangerous. Where do we draw the line? If my synagogue just ordained a lesbian rabbi, for sake of not rebuking my fellow Jew or risking lashon hara, should I just shut my mouth and go with the flow? EVen though I consider myself the lowest of all Jews (e.g.I have only a few prayers memorized), I still feel a burning driving fire inside myself to speak out when I see people watering down Hashem's laws and trying to destroy the foundations that were built with sweat, blood and suffering of our ancestors.
There are all kinds of bad issues within the Jewish communities, both the religious and irreligious. This is a fact of life and the Torah recognizes this. Only Hashsem knows what is truly in the hearts of men. Is a person pious or is he a sinner? We can only guess what the calculation Hashem uses to determine these issues.
My advice is always to work on yourself first, make yourself strong in your faith, make your mitzvot important to your lifestyle. Your making the mitzvot important to your life will have added effects on those who are around you. Work on your character traits in a way which makes you more dear to your fellow Jew, concentrate on the traits of compassion and mercy (two of the most revered traits of Hashem) and do not worry about stoning homosexuals. The laws concerning forbidden relationships is not as important as making yourself strong, and influencing others around you.I don't hate homosexuals.. Heck, I don't even think we should stone them.. I just think they have no place in our synagogues and I think saying Judaism accepts homosexuality, allowing gay people to attend our kehillot, have gay marriages, etc is an abomination and any Jew who advocates this, in my eyes, is worse than a homosexual, him/herself. Homosexuality is becoming very prevalent in the Conservative and Reform movement and I can see it is started to make its way into the Orthodox movement now. IF we just sit back and shut our mouths for fear of offending our fellow Jew, we will find that our communities will be infiltrated and foundations will be destroyed for the sake of our emotions and fear of offending man. But what if for the sake of pleasing man, we offend Hashem??
You should want to give money to your community, you should want to better the Jewish people around you. They are your family. It was this which led me to Teshuva, when a black Christian neighbor said 'Go back to your people'. The Jewish people are MY people, and they should be your people too.Maybe, my community should give me money too? If my rabbi is driving a very expensive car and living in a mansion, like the rabbis at the Chabad's I was visiting and I am struggling to make it, living in an inexpensive rental and risking being homeless every day, as my small bankrupted business is dwindling, may I ask, who should be giving who money? Isn't a Jewish community, more than just giving lots of money to the Rabbi and synagogue, but also helping your fellow Jews? If I am the poorest Jew, rather than telling me I am not welcomed, because I can not make the dues, maybe one of my wealthy brothers from the community can help a hard working, determined (not lazy, freeloading) Jew , like myself, to make his way into the community. If I had as much cash as the Rabbis or many of members of the communities I was attending, I would not even think twice about donating lots of money to the kehillot. As a matter of fact, many wealthy Jews boldly proclaim their donations on Shabbat to show how much they are giving. I was told this practice use to be forbidden in ancient times, but now, somehow, vowing your donations out loud on Shabbat is considered honorable.
I love all Jews, whether they put on Tefillin, say Shema, light candles, or not... Every Jew who was born Jewish has a portion in the world to come, and we should want to help them back on the path to listening to Hashems voice. We should feel personal responsibility when we see fellow Jews acting in a shameful way.I am the kind of guy who may jump in front of a bullet for my fellow Jew.. I always felt I loved my own people much more than they ever loved me.. Whether they dawn tefillin, recite all prayers, etc means little to me. A kind, humble and noble heart to me is always the greatest virtue, not how many prayers you can recite or if you own a $10,000 pair of hand-made tefillin.
We should not try to shame them, embarass them, or hate them. We should think about what we can do to gently nudge them in the right direction and we will gain merit for every Jew we help.For the sake of not embarrassing or shaming anyone I vent my frustration here.. Nobody, knows what I think. I am never allowed to say what I think . Most Jews I know get very emotional if you even make the slightest criticism to them. Perhaps, we can also be overly sensitive and this also has resulted in our communities from addressing some very serious issues?? Just a thought!
I do not think it is a panacea (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panacea) to believe that joining a Yemenite community will solve all your problems. That is called idealism and usually a person is disappointed when they find out that the other community suffers almost the same problems as the community which you left. Always believing it is better in some other community leads many to depression.Don't knock it til you try it, Muman.. And, no, I don't agree that every community is the same. Of course, no community will be perfect and every group of people will have their problems. I guess I feel it is worth a try though. I have spent enough time with Jews here in USA and know I have no luck with them and I am more or less not welcomed and not liked. Sure, maybe the Yemenite Jewish communities will be snobby, cold , unfriendly, women will be dressing slutty and people will look down on me cause I am unmarried, etc. But, at least I know I made the effort to find out for myself. My friend David told me the people are quite different and are quite accepting and live very simple lives. OF course, he was there in the 1970s, so who knows what it is like today. However, I do know not all Jewish communities are the same. For example, most of synagogues here are Conservative/Reform synagogues and their behavior is considerably different than what I would experience from an Ultra-Orthodox Charedi or Satmar synagogue in New York. I have lot of respect for these ULtra Orthodox Jews, but do not feel connected to Yiddish culture. If I felt more Yiddish/Ashkenazi I would think Satmar/Ultra Orthodox Charedi sect would be good way to go, but I cannot live up to their strict standards and don't feel connected to the strict Yiddish minhag they practice. My heart feels more Middle Eastern.
Do not seek a community which is evil, but judge each one for the good. This is another Jewish concept, the benefit of the doubt... We should not assume that a person who is sinning is an evil person, he or she is just acting foolishly and will some day realize his or her sin....
I appreciate the time you have taken to make such a deep, comprehensive post, using Talmudic wisdom to help explain the issues at hand. I have only had brief time to skim over the large amount of information you have written, but will take time to read them in more detail later. However, let me address a few points on your first response:Satmar? What the heck?
Muman, I am not the one to condemn or point the finger.. In fact, it is I who is the hunted one, I am the one that people mock , insult and consider Inferior. I only wish the Jews at the synagogues I have attended could live up to the standards that you are promoting here in your post. Sadly, I feel the holier than thou attitude and the attitude of superiority and narcissism very strongly among the Jews I am around. It seems everyone is out to make a name for themselves and promote their own superiority rather than form a chavurah and help bring Jews together, lifting one another up and help one another along the way. An, example is when the Shadchan at the Sefardic kehillot I attended said no woman will marry me at the kehillot because my income is too low. That was a big F YOU to me and a sign I was not as worthy of Jewish Olam Haba as they were. My rabbi then proceeded to tell me to sign up for J-Date, since I couldn't marry anyone there. I said, no thanks, I don't want the table scraps, I'll stay celibate, since I am considered inferior in my own community. Basically, my credentials have disqualified me as being a Jew in their eyes. My zealotry, desire, kindness , etc means nothing . Did the fact me going to Africa to help dying widows and orphans hold any weight on my character? No.. People were more impressed with each other's cars or the type of camp or school their kids were attending. The only praise I received at the Sefardic kehillot I attended was about the nice watch I was wearing. Actually, I got the watch 60% off and only paid $150 for it, but it looks like a $1000 watch. All the people dressed up so nicely at this wealthy community that I tried my best with my ability to get good deals on liquidated attire/accessories to fit in.
I am not one to rebuke, but I am constantly looked down on and rebuked. However, I will rebuke when I see atrocities committed. As much as I respect the wisdom you are sharing Muman, I also think this mindset can be destructive and dangerous. Where do we draw the line? If my synagogue just ordained a lesbian rabbi, for sake of not rebuking my fellow Jew or risking lashon hara, should I just shut my mouth and go with the flow? EVen though I consider myself the lowest of all Jews (e.g.I have only a few prayers memorized), I still feel a burning driving fire inside myself to speak out when I see people watering down Hashem's laws and trying to destroy the foundations that were built with sweat, blood and suffering of our ancestors.
I don't hate homosexuals.. Heck, I don't even think we should stone them.. I just think they have no place in our synagogues and I think saying Judaism accepts homosexuality, allowing gay people to attend our kehillot, have gay marriages, etc is an abomination and any Jew who advocates this, in my eyes, is worse than a homosexual, him/herself. Homosexuality is becoming very prevalent in the Conservative and Reform movement and I can see it is started to make its way into the Orthodox movement now. IF we just sit back and shut our mouths for fear of offending our fellow Jew, we will find that our communities will be infiltrated and foundations will be destroyed for the sake of our emotions and fear of offending man. But what if for the sake of pleasing man, we offend Hashem??
Maybe, my community should give me money too? If my rabbi is driving a very expensive car and living in a mansion, like the rabbis at the Chabad's I was visiting and I am struggling to make it, living in an inexpensive rental and risking being homeless every day, as my small bankrupted business is dwindling, may I ask, who should be giving who money? Isn't a Jewish community, more than just giving lots of money to the Rabbi and synagogue, but also helping your fellow Jews? If I am the poorest Jew, rather than telling me I am not welcomed, because I can not make the dues, maybe one of my wealthy brothers from the community can help a hard working, determined (not lazy, freeloading) Jew , like myself, to make his way into the community. If I had as much cash as the Rabbis or many of members of the communities I was attending, I would not even think twice about donating lots of money to the kehillot. As a matter of fact, many wealthy Jews boldly proclaim their donations on Shabbat to show how much they are giving. I was told this practice use to be forbidden in ancient times, but now, somehow, vowing your donations out loud on Shabbat is considered honorable.
I am the kind of guy who may jump in front of a bullet for my fellow Jew.. I always felt I loved my own people much more than they ever loved me.. Whether they dawn tefillin, recite all prayers, etc means little to me. A kind, humble and noble heart to me is always the greatest virtue, not how many prayers you can recite or if you own a $10,000 pair of hand-made tefillin.
For the sake of not embarrassing or shaming anyone I vent my frustration here.. Nobody, knows what I think. I am never allowed to say what I think . Most Jews I know get very emotional if you even make the slightest criticism to them. Perhaps, we can also be overly sensitive and this also has resulted in our communities from addressing some very serious issues?? Just a thought!
Don't knock it til you try it, Muman.. And, no, I don't agree that every community is the same. Of course, no community will be perfect and every group of people will have their problems. I guess I feel it is worth a try though. I have spent enough time with Jews here in USA and know I have no luck with them and I am more or less not welcomed and not liked. Sure, maybe the Yemenite Jewish communities will be snobby, cold , unfriendly, women will be dressing slutty and people will look down on me cause I am unmarried, etc. But, at least I know I made the effort to find out for myself. My friend David told me the people are quite different and are quite accepting and live very simple lives. OF course, he was there in the 1970s, so who knows what it is like today. However, I do know not all Jewish communities are the same. For example, most of synagogues here are Conservative/Reform synagogues and their behavior is considerably different than what I would experience from an Ultra-Orthodox Charedi or Satmar synagogue in New York. I have lot of respect for these ULtra Orthodox Jews, but do not feel connected to Yiddish culture. If I felt more Yiddish/Ashkenazi I would think Satmar/Ultra Orthodox Charedi sect would be good way to go, but I cannot live up to their strict standards and don't feel connected to the strict Yiddish minhag they practice. My heart feels more Middle Eastern.
When was I on my computer on Shabbat?
Never mind I am done on this forum this is my last post go talk all the drek about me you want. Jews are great at insulting their own although you are not a Jew I am reading so maybe you should mine your own fing biz, do I tell you how to behave as a christian or whatever you are?
I'm sure you people will be happy when I am dead. You people love talking crap but I wonder what anyone here us really doing to actually help save Israel except b1tch and complain on this forum.
When was I on my computer on Shabbat?I'm not a Jew, and I'm not a Christian! But don't lie to me... Don't bash Chabad when you're online on Shabbat. Tell me you were not on technology?
Never mind I am done on this forum this is my last post go talk all the drek about me you want. Jews are great at insulting their own although you are not a Jew I am reading so maybe you should mine your own fing biz, do I tell you how to behave as a christian or whatever you are?
I'm sure you people will be happy when I am dead. You people love talking crap but I wonder what anyone here us really doing to actually help save Israel except b1tch and complain on this forum.
How could we be happy when you're dead. We don't know you. Honestly, you keep feeding your self-hating "humility" which is really pride, and you're going to go into a depression.Samething. ???
Ephy isn't Jewish, so I can't fault him like a would a Jew for being some sort of a reporter shabbat detective, but no one's talking [censored] about you. If what you're saying is serious, as my brother, I recommend you seek immediate psychological help, but I can't honestly see a normal Jew saying these things.
I'm pretty sure the saving Israel goes on in the Hebrew forum. This is more like the bitching and complaining and fund raising forum, from what I noticed, and they try to help America.
I'm not a Jew, and I'm not a Christian! But don't lie to me... Don't bash Chabad when you're online on Shabbat. Tell me you were not on technology?
I like you, I'm just confused about you. ..
Getting yourself killed only makes you look weak in the eyes of HaShem!
Listen...
I do believe EJA44 is Jewish... We are in a virtual world here and it is hard to determine who is who and when is when. Do you realize how much it would hurt to be accused of not being a Jew when you really are, and you really want to love your Jewish heritage? Should we push someone away just because they don't conform to what we expect from a fellow Jew. Maybe some things are said in depression and others in desperation...
I don't think we should push anyone away for what was said in these threads.