No more revelations from God of Abraham, Isaak and Jacob?!

[Aryeh Jay]

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[Alla27]

Due to the nature of the rules of Christian Forums, I cannot answer those questions from the Jewish perspective.

I don't get it.
What kind of questions can I ask you here?

 

[Alla27]

Let me read rules of this particular forum one more time.

 

[LoAmmi]

I'll answer. I don't worry about a whack on the wrist by the mods much and I'll use the following disclaimer:
I am answering these question from a Jewish perspective, not intended to debate Christianity.

I don't think main stream Christianity ever gave a reason. What is the reason
according to God? Is it known to Jewish people?

Judaism would say that prophecy died when we were expelled from Israel. Duet 18 lays out the qualifications of a prophet and promises that HaShem will provide a prophet when the people enter the land so that the people do not follow the ways of the tribes around them. Now that we don't live in Israel, we are not provided prophets to teach us. That doesn't, however, mean that we lack guidance but I'd say it is more individual than communal. Also, our leaders were given authority to make rulings on things we have questions about.

Who is God of Abraham, Isaak and Jacob?

I'd say that Christians, Muslims, and Jews all are thinking about the same deity, but we have disagreements over the nature of that deity.

 

[Alla27]

I'll answer. I don't worry about a whack on the wrist by the mods much and I'll use the following disclaimer:
I am answering these question from a Jewish perspective, not intended to debate Christianity.

Thank you. This is exactly what I want to learn.

Judaism would say that prophecy died when we were expelled from Israel. Duet 18 lays out the qualifications of a prophet and promises that HaShem will provide a prophet when the people enter the land so that the people do not follow the ways of the tribes around them. Now that we don't live in Israel, we are not provided prophets to teach us. That doesn't, however, mean that we lack guidance but I'd say it is more individual than communal. Also, our leaders were given authority to make rulings on things we have questions about.

What is Duet 18? What is HaShem?
Thanks for your answer. It makes sense.
But do you see this as a curse? I will tell why I ask this. As I understand gathering of tribes of Israel is a blessing. Scattering is a curse or let's say "lack blessing".
That is why when house of Israel is scattered and doesn't have a leader - a prophet of God among them, it means God is still not happy with His chosen people.
I see you say that there are leaders who were given authority. I really want to know how in Judaism those leaders are chosen, how do they get authority? How do they know will of God in the 21st century?
Are you orthodox Jewish? If yes, I have some questions about your culture and traditions.

I'd say that Christians, Muslims, and Jews all are thinking about the same deity, but we have disagreements over the nature of that deity.

Yes, I would agree. But who is God according to Judaism? I don't think you are going to be in trouble by educating me about your religion. I know you can not try to convert me but I think you can answer sincere questions.
My questions are sincere. I really want to learn more.

 

[LoAmmi]

What is Duet 18? What is HaShem?

Deut 18 is https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+18 (using a Christian translation). HaShem translates to "The Name" and it's a name we use for G-d. Jews don't tend to write some names of G-d out fully.

Thanks for your answer. It makes sense.
But do you see this as a curse? I will tell why I ask this. As I understand gathering of tribes of Israel is a blessing. Scattering is a curse or let's say "lack blessing".
That is why when house of Israel is scattered and doesn't have a leader - a prophet of God among them, it means God is still not happy with His chosen people.

We're told in the Bible that all Jews as well as the Exiles (the Northern Kingdom) will be gathered to Israel. Can't really be gathered to Israel if we aren't scattered.
More to your question though, I think that you might say that He isn't happy with the corporate Israel, but that's on a national level, not an individual level. Jews are judged both on a national level and an individual level. So, yeah, maybe we're still messing up, but He never gave us a timetable for gathering us all back to Israel or for when the Messiah will come.

I see you say that there are leaders who were given authority. I really want to know how in Judaism those leaders are chosen, how do they get authority? How do they know will of God in the 21st century?

I'm talking about our rabbis and it isn't so much that they know the will, it's that they are empowered to give people answers on the Torah when new things come up. Like if we can drive a car on Shabbat. That isn't in the Torah so they had to come up with an answer. (We can't).

Are you orthodox Jewish? If yes, I have some questions about your culture and traditions.

Technically I'm part of the Conservative movement, but know Orthodox stuff. Though I will point out I know Sephardic (Middle Eastern/Mediterranean) stuff better than Ashkenazi (European).

Yes, I would agree. But who is God according to Judaism? I don't think you are going to be in trouble by educating me about your religion. I know you can not try to convert me but I think you can answer sincere questions.
My questions are sincere. I really want to learn more.

That's a hard question. I'm going to cheat and give you a sort of crash course article I've referenced before on this forum.
http://www.jewfaq.org/g-d.htm

 

[Alla27]

Thank you so much for the answers. I will read link and ask more questions.
I also will ask questions about traditions.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

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[All4Christ]

Thanks, good answers too. Sometimes it can be like walking through a minefield on stilts here with questions like that.

Hopefully this forum can be a forum where we all learn from each other.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

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[LoAmmi]

Thanks, good answers too. Sometimes it can be like walking through a minefield on stilts here with questions like that.

I just figure if they went through the trouble of setting up this section, silencing the few Jews that visit this site for simply sharing what Judaism teaches would be kind of silly.

 

[All4Christ]

I just figure if they went through the trouble of setting up this section, silencing the few Jews that visit this site for simply sharing what Judaism teaches would be kind of silly.

Though I'm not the final say, as I am just an ambassador not a mod, I certainly agree with this. There is a difference between sharing what you believe and proselytizing. Promoting understanding and fellowship is an important part of this forum's purpose. I'm glad you are posting in this forum!

 

[Alla27]

So, yeah, maybe we're still messing up, but He never gave us a timetable for gathering us all back to Israel or for when the Messiah will come.

How would you personally recognize this time?

I'm talking about our rabbis and it isn't so much that they know the will, it's that they are empowered to give people answers on the Torah when new things come up. Like if we can drive a car on Shabbat. That isn't in the Torah so they had to come up with an answer. (We can't).

Who gives this power to rabbis? What if I say to rabbi: "I am still driving my car on Sabbath. This rule is not of God". NOTE: I understand that faithful Jew would never do this.

Technically I'm part of the Conservative movement, but know Orthodox stuff.

what is Conservative movement? do members of this movement and Orthodox Jews attend the same synagogues? I heard from one Jewish woman Jews do not worship G-d. Is this true?

Though I will point out I know Sephardic (Middle Eastern/Mediterranean) stuff better than Ashkenazi (European).

OK. Why do married women shave their hair? What does this symbolize? Why do husbands and wives sleep in separate beds? I wanted to know this for a long time.
What would happen if a woman doesn't want to shave her beautiful hair? Again, I would assume that faithful Jewish woman would never do this. But there are some rebels in every religion.

That's a hard question. I'm going to cheat and give you a sort of crash course article I've referenced before on this forum.
http://www.jewfaq.org/g-d.htm

I read the link. I want to discuss it later.
Oh, one more question: what does this round black hat mean/symbolize? In Russian it sounds like this "kipa"

 

[All4Christ]

I hope so too. However, the line between answering a question from another religions standpoint and promoting that religion is very blurry. What might look like a simple answer to one person can look like an all-out assault on Christianity to another.

True. I think this also happens among Christians here. From a personal viewpoint though, I tend to give the benefit of the doubt first (unless it is a blatant attack), just as I hope you all do with me as well!

 

[Aryeh Jay]

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[Aryeh Jay]

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[All4Christ]

There are some thin skinned and easily offended people; one just has to look at the American Politics Board to see that, but I think you are super cool.

Very true - you can definitely see that on the politics board (I can't wait until November 9th!), and on many other forums as well.

And same to you!

 

[LoAmmi]

We worship God. In fact, a good portion of our services is spent thanking God for everything He has done.

I'd like to add that we even thank Him for everything He has done when we're singing what's called the Mourner's Kaddish, which is sung in the synagogue by those who have had a close relative die within the least 11 months.

 

[LoAmmi]

How would you personally recognize this time?

Who gives this power to rabbis? What if I say to rabbi: "I am still driving my car on Sabbath. This rule is not of God". NOTE: I understand that faithful Jew would never do this.

what is Conservative movement? do members of this movement and Orthodox Jews attend the same synagogues? I heard from one Jewish woman Jews do not worship G-d. Is this true?

OK. Why do married women shave their hair? What does this symbolize? Why do husbands and wives sleep in separate beds? I wanted to know this for a long time.
What would happen if a woman doesn't want to shave her beautiful hair? Again, I would assume that faithful Jewish woman would never do this. But there are some rebels in every religion.

I read the link. I want to discuss it later.
Oh, one more question: what does this round black hat mean/symbolize? In Russian it sounds like this "kipa"

There's not much I can add to post #39.

 

[Alla27]

God does in Deuteronomy 16:18 “Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly.”
You could say that to a rabbi and there are Orthodox Jews that do break this ruling but nothing is really done about it.

How does someone become a rabbi? Is rabbi called to be a rabbi by someone? Or a man decides that he wants to become a rabbi? If yes, what does he have to do to qualify? In the quote it says that they judge the people fairly. Questions:
1)how do they know that their judgment is fair? Is there any guideline from G-d? Mortal men are not perfect, our judgment is not always fair. If there is no guideline from G-d how is it known that judgment was fair? Why isn't nothing done for breaking rules?
Do rabbis explain why they come up with certain rules? Does community reject rules sometimes? If yes what happens next?

However, I am Orthodox and attend a Conservative synagogue.

Why?

We worship God. In fact, a good portion of our services is spent thanking God for everything He has done.

OK, I was surprised to hear that from her.

My wife has a full head of hair and has never shaved it. My mother and grandmother never shaved their heads either. I guess it is a tradition that some follow but it is by no means universal or required.
My wife and I have slept in the same bed for over 20 years. Again, there are traditions that not everyone follows.

Do you know why some do that?

The little hat sounds like “kipa” in Russian is called a Kippah in Hebrew and a yarmulke in Yiddish. There is nothing too special about it. It is just a head covering that observant Jewish male’s wear to show their devotion to God but any hat will work.

So, the shape of the hat does not symbolize anything. Correct? What does word "Kippah" mean if it means anything?
thanks for your answers.