Questions about Judaism, for information not for debate.

[juvenissun]

Being Jewish is more than following a set of beliefs, the best way to describe it is that it is a Tribe, because it really is. You may have Native American artifacts, know native beliefs and history, but that does not make you a Lakota.

So how do you treat a person who is not a Jew but believes in Judaism? A second class citizen?
If I say I am a Jew, how do you know I am not?

 

[LoAmmi]

I think Hinduism is another similar religion to Judaism on this regard.
Do you know what is the population history of Jews who believed in Judaism?

Pretty high until modern times. Can't give you a percentage, but every Jewish group that stopped believing in Judaism assimilated into the surrounding culture and stopped being distinctly Jewish. It's why I kind of have a problem with Messianic Jews. They are essentially clinging to a culture that they wouldn't have if their ancestors became Christians. They'd just be Christians today with no clue they were of Jewish ancestry.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

So how do you treat a person who is not a Jew but believes in Judaism? A second class citizen?
If I say I am a Jew, how do you know I am not?

I certainly don’t treat anyone like a second class citizen.


There are ways to tell, but it would be easier to convert than learn everything needed to convincingly pull that off.

 

[LoAmmi]

So how do you treat a person who is not a Jew but believes in Judaism? A second class citizen?

Somone like a Noahide? I would treat them the same as I treat anybody else, probably. Can't see treating them as a second class anything. Now, they can't do thing in the synagogue that are reserved for Jews only like the prayer prior to the Torah reading and the like, but that's not second class, that's just procedure.

If I say I am a Jew, how do you know I am not?

According to the rabbis, I'm to believe you if you tell me you are Jewish unless I have some concrete reason to think you are lying. But when you try to do any of the Jewish life cycle events like get married, you will usually be asked how you are Jewish and, if you are a man, may be asked to prove you are circumcised with the certificate mohels give.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Somone like a Noahide? I would treat them the same as I treat anybody else, probably. Can't see treating them as a second class anything. Now, they can't do thing in the synagogue that are reserved for Jews only like the prayer prior to the Torah reading and the like, but that's not second class, that's just procedure.


According to the rabbis, I'm to believe you if you tell me you are Jewish unless I have some concrete reason to think you are lying. But when you try to do any of the Jewish life cycle events like get married, you will usually be asked how you are Jewish and, if you are a man, may be asked to prove you are circumcised with the certificate mohels give.

And parent's ketubah…

 

[juvenissun]

OK, Thanks LoAmmi and Aryeh.

 

[Chesterton]

The rules of the debate forum don't let me participate on any debates on Islam.

Ah, I didn't know that forum worked that way. That explains those faith icons by the titles. Never mind, you'd probably win anyway.

Which isn't to say you're right, just that you're good at it.

 

[smaneck]

Ah, I didn't know that forum worked that way. That explains those faith icons by the titles. Never mind, you'd probably win anyway.

Which may be the reason for the exclusion.

 

[Chesterton]

Which may be the reason for the exclusion.

After seeing some things you've also said in the "marrying a muslim" thread today, I've changed my mind. I'd like to discuss in a new thread. Tell me if my proposed title is okay with you: Does Bahai Understand More About Judaism Than Jews, More About Christianity Than Christians, And More About Islam Than Muslims?

 

[smaneck]

After seeing some things you've also said in the "marrying a muslim" thread today, I've changed my mind. I'd like to discuss in a new thread. Tell me if my proposed title is okay with you: Does Bahai Understand More About Judaism Than Jews, More About Christianity Than Christians, And More About Islam Than Muslims?

No, it is not an okay topic unless your intention is to engage in attacks (as I am sure it is.) If you think I'm wrong about Islam here show me a Muslim who says they deny Jesus. Not whether they deny what you happen to believe about Jesus, do they deny Jesus himself? If they say 'yes' I'll be happy to admit I was wrong and that at least some Muslims deny Jesus.