Questions about Judaism, for information not for debate.

[LoAmmi]

OK thanks,
So the natural breaks, that would be just like a gap, no special mark or number? I'm just wondering how one finds the portion one is looking for in what must be some very long scrolls?
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In my experience, we start at the beginning and go through it straight. People keep the place by knowing Hebrew and keeping the scroll rolled up so that when it is unrolled it is at the right section. Doesn't take long for the person reading it to find that part. Remember that it isn't five scrolls, it's one long scroll with the entire Torah on it. Even with markings it would be almost impossible to find your place quickly if you had to start over each time.

Hello SR welcome,
I never have been to a Synagogue service so your post causes me to ask such questions as,
Are the services always structured? Is there ever extemporaneous praying? Is there ever prayer for physical healing? I know the scriptures are sung by a Cantor but are there the equivalent of hymns sung by everyone? If I walked in as a gentile stranger off the street would people feel uncomfortable with me just being there but not actually taking part? Think that's enough for the moment
Peace
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A cantor isn't really necessary. There are synagogues that don't have one. Other people can sing the scriptures it's just that a cantor is trained. You don't actually need a rabbi to be there either. Anybody can lead services. It just comes back to training.

The prayer services are always structured. Prayer books are provided so people can follow along with it. There are different structures for the high holy days but they, too, are structured. All the prayers are songs which are about as close to "hymns" as you will get.

A lot of Christians would be surprised to learn that if the rabbi were to give what they'd call a sermon during the services, it is usually very short. Less than ten minutes typically. Jews don't attend worship services to be taught Torah, there are Torah classes for that.

 

[Chesterton]

If I walked in as a gentile stranger off the street would people feel uncomfortable with me just being there but not actually taking part?

In my one experience I sat there and observed, and didn't get the sense anyone was uncomfortable. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The only special consideration was that I wore a head covering, which they provided "loaners" in the lobby or entrance part of the building. Also, since I noticed you're married, there was a sort of veil down the middle of the congregation, and it was segregated; women sat on on the left side and men sat on the right.

 

[smaneck]

In my one experience I sat there and observed, and didn't get the sense anyone was uncomfortable. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The only special consideration was that I wore a head covering, which they provided "loaners" in the lobby or entrance part of the building. Also, since I noticed you're married, there was a sort of veil down the middle of the congregation, and it was segregated; women sat on on the left side and men sat on the right.

I wonder if it might have been Chasidic?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

I think all Orthodox synagogues have separate seating, there was one in Colorado that did not for a while but I’m not sure if they still do. On one hand I do not agree with divided seating but on the other, if you are actually going there to pray, well, sitting next to my wife can be a bit nerve-wracking.

(with women) “What? No! Say it isn’t true, It is! No! Oh My Goodness she isn’t even married, Oy! Think of what her parents are going through. I know, Right! Well, they still got there grandchild.”

(to me) “ Hey Bubala, what page are we on? You will never guess what, no guess. Wrong. Wrong. You are not even trying! Guess. Wrong. So, let me tell you. Sarah’s oldest is pregnant! And the boy’s family doesn’t like her but now they are going to be in-laws and grandparents. Can you imagine that?”

(with women) “Oh My Goodness! She did not! She did! Do you see what Rava wore to Schuel? What kind of a place does she think this is? Look, look, you can see her knee! I know! Her great aunt is rolling over in the grave, God forbid. What, What? Is she looking for another husband? So soon? It has only been 10 years. Well, that is NOT the way to go about it, prancing around in a house of God like a harlot, and those shoes, what was she thinking? I know right? Those were ok for September, but with all this snow… she must have money to burn still from the will. And that hat, seriously, who wears hats like that anymore. Hello, its 2003, they want their hat back Ha-ha.”

(to me) “Does meatloaf sound ok for tomorrow?”

(with women) “So I’m walking the market and you will never guess what I saw, Rabbi Goldberg talking to, what? No, not that Rabbi Goldberg, talking to the checkout girl and he asked her, no, not that one either, he is the one from the synagogue that no one goes to anymore because of the ‘you know what’.

(to me) “What Kadesh is this is?”

(with women) “He asked her how much the grapes are. And he’s married too. Can you imagine that, all those years of rabbinic training and he can’t read a price at a supermarket? That is what I thought too, and the girl is 60 years younger than him too. And grapes too, how much more up front does he need to be? Why not just use a banana and some cantaloupes, the nerve. I hope his wife does not find out he is having an affair.

(to me) Oh My Goodness! Will he just hurry up! It’s Adon Olam for crying out loud. Do you think Moses and King David took this long?

 

[Chesterton]

I wonder if it might have been Chasidic?

Couldn't say for sure, but they didn't look it.

 

[smaneck]

Couldn't say for sure, but they didn't look it.

You can usually tell by the dress. You know, suits with open collar white shirts, hats, side locks. I'm thinking that a Chasidic synagogue much like a Pentecostal church might be noisier, but I don't know that for sure.

 

[Chesterton]

I think all Orthodox synagogues have separate seating, there was one in Colorado that did not for a while but I’m not sure if they still do. On one hand I do not agree with divided seating but on the other, if you are actually going there to pray, well, sitting next to my wife can be a bit nerve-wracking.

(with women) “What? No! Say it isn’t true, It is! No! Oh My Goodness she isn’t even married, Oy! Think of what her parents are going through. I know, Right! Well, they still got there grandchild.”

(to me) “ Hey Bubala, what page are we on? You will never guess what, no guess. Wrong. Wrong. You are not even trying! Guess. Wrong. So, let me tell you. Sarah’s oldest is pregnant! And the boy’s family doesn’t like her but now they are going to be in-laws and grandparents. Can you imagine that?”

(with women) “Oh My Goodness! She did not! She did! Do you see what Rava wore to Schuel? What kind of a place does she think this is? Look, look, you can see her knee! I know! Her great aunt is rolling over in the grave, God forbid. What, What? Is she looking for another husband? So soon? It has only been 10 years. Well, that is NOT the way to go about it, prancing around in a house of God like a harlot, and those shoes, what was she thinking? I know right? Those were ok for September, but with all this snow… she must have money to burn still from the will. And that hat, seriously, who wears hats like that anymore. Hello, its 2003, they want their hat back Ha-ha.”

(to me) “Does meatloaf sound ok for tomorrow?”

(with women) “So I’m walking the market and you will never guess what I saw, Rabbi Goldberg talking to, what? No, not that Rabbi Goldberg, talking to the checkout girl and he asked her, no, not that one either, he is the one from the synagogue that no one goes to anymore because of the ‘you know what’.

(to me) “What Kadesh is this is?”

(with women) “He asked her how much the grapes are. And he’s married too. Can you imagine that, all those years of rabbinic training and he can’t read a price at a supermarket? That is what I thought too, and the girl is 60 years younger than him too. And grapes too, how much more up front does he need to be? Why not just use a banana and some cantaloupes, the nerve. I hope his wife does not find out he is having an affair.

(to me) Oh My Goodness! Will he just hurry up! It’s Adon Olam for crying out loud. Do you think Moses and King David took this long?

Historians/theologians/philosophers may argue whether you are a unique people, but gossipy, talkative, complaining women are not unique to Jews.

Which reminds me: near the end of the service the Rabbi invited the little children there to come up to him for a special talk. It was sweet, they were sitting up there around him, a couple of them sitting on his lap. A guy behind me started complaining/joking in a Jackie Mason-esque voice - "Oi, these kids did something? They get special treatment? I've been working 40 years! My back hurts everyday! They get the best seats?!"

 

[Chesterton]

What about life after death? Is there any concensus in Judaism about an afterlife?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

What about life after death? Is there any concensus in Judaism about an afterlife?

There is no real consensus in Judaism. The spectrum goes from something similar to the Christian idea about Heaven to dust in the grave, and everything in between. The Torah is silent about an afterlife, but other writing suggests there might be something.

 

[LoAmmi]

There is no real consensus in Judaism. The spectrum goes from something similar to the Christian idea about Heaven to dust in the grave, and everything in between. The Torah is silent about an afterlife, but other writing suggests there might be something.

I would add that the rabbis basically concluded that while it might be interesting to discuss, it is mostly unimportant in the day-to-day life of a Jew. The Torah is the chief concern not what happens after we die.

 

[afishamongmany]

I would like to understand how modern day Judaism understands 'the Messiah'. What is his relationship to God? How/when will he come? Will his kingdom be only an earthly one? Will it be an eternal one? Is he in any way considered as a Redeemer or Saviour in a spiritual sense?
Peepnklown says that there 'nicknames' for him in the Bible. What are these?
Ok thanks
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[LoAmmi]

I would like to understand how modern day Judaism understands 'the Messiah'. What is his relationship to God? How/when will he come? Will his kingdom be only an earthly one? Will it be an eternal one? Is he in any way considered as a Redeemer or Saviour in a spiritual sense?
Peepnklown says that there 'nicknames' for him in the Bible. What are these?
Ok thanks
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Let's say that the Mesisah's relationship will be similar to David's relationship since the Messiah is so often referred to as David or son of David. Someone may argue Moses, but that's more of an opinion type thing. Regardless, the overall point is that it is the relationship of a man to HaShem.

When will he come? I could give kind of a flippant answer of "When he comes!" but I'll try to see if I can give anything else. There are a number of things listed among the Messianic prophecies that are tied to the coming of the Messiah. Some of them it is obvious HaShem Himself will do, some it's not obvious if the Messiah will accomplish them or they are accomplished then he comes. All of Israel residing within the promised land, for example. Universal knowledge of HaShem, universal and total peace. There are a few others.

A human king only rules over an Earthly kingdom. Can't do more than that.

Is it eternal? I'd have to guess not but it's just a guess.

No, HaShem and HaShem alone is our Redeemer. No man gets to fill that role.


I imagine something that Christians get tripped up on is that Judaism doesn't so much desire the Messiah but rather what comes with the Messiah. The Messianic age with universal peace and knowledge of HaShem, with all of Israel together is more what Judaism speaks of. The Messiah is a major player, no doubt, but is of the same importance level as David. Clearly important, but what HaShem does for us is most important.

 

[Chesterton]

All of Israel residing within the promised land, for example.

What or who is Israel?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

What or who is Israel?

The collective name for all the Jews of the world.

 

[Chesterton]

In the religious or racial sense? What about half-Jews? Is a convert to Judaism a full Jew?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

In the religious or racial sense? What about half-Jews? Is a convert to Judaism a full Jew?

Once a person converts, they are a full Jew.

 

[LoAmmi]

In the religious or racial sense? What about half-Jews? Is a convert to Judaism a full Jew?

Religious. Born of a Jewish mother or a convert to Judaism.

 

[Chesterton]

Religious. Born of a Jewish mother or a convert to Judaism.

Seems odd to me that it passes through the mother rather than the father. Any particular reason for that?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Seems odd to me that it passes through the mother rather than the father. Any particular reason for that?

It is not possible to be 100% sure who the father is, the mother on the other hand…

 

[Chesterton]

It is not possible to be 100% sure who the father is, the mother on the other hand…

Oh, okay. Gotcha.