A few questions about Judaism...

[gord44]

Hi guys.

Just wondering if our Jewish friends could answer a few questions in regards to Judaism.

How does one covert to Judaism? Always been interested in the process of different faiths.

Also, what view does Judaism have on the afterlife? It's something I have never really figured out.

Thanks!

 

[LoAmmi]

How does one covert to Judaism? Always been interested in the process of different faiths.

The traditional way is to approach a rabbi who will guide you in the process. It will usually take over a year. This will be studying, learning about Judaism, understanding what it means to be a Jew, and the like. You will also be discouraged three times.

For a male, you will need to be circumcised. If you are already circumcised, you will need to go through a ritual circumcision where they draw a drop of blood from the area.

After all this, you eventually go to the mikvah where you are immersed in water. There is a ritual to this and it is followed.

After that you are fully Jewish. Converts are not to be seen as anything less than those born Jewish.

Also, what view does Judaism have on the afterlife? It's something I have never really figured out.

It's complex. The Tanakh is amazingly silent on the issue. So silent, in fact, that quite often people are unaware of the tradition of the afterlife.

The most common one I have heard is that everybody makes it to the World-to-Come but many need to go through a purification process.

In some tradition, those that cannot go through the purification process for being too evil, there is either a Hell-like area or they are destroyed entirely. I don't believe in Hell myself and most Jews I know do not.

 

[Wesley1982]

This website has information Judaism 101 ...

My email wes_31@hotmail.com.

 

[gord44]

The traditional way is to approach a rabbi who will guide you in the process. It will usually take over a year. This will be studying, learning about Judaism, understanding what it means to be a Jew, and the like. You will also be discouraged three times.

For a male, you will need to be circumcised. If you are already circumcised, you will need to go through a ritual circumcision where they draw a drop of blood from the area.

After all this, you eventually go to the mikvah where you are immersed in water. There is a ritual to this and it is followed.

After that you are fully Jewish. Converts are not to be seen as anything less than those born Jewish.


It's complex. The Tanakh is amazingly silent on the issue. So silent, in fact, that quite often people are unaware of the tradition of the afterlife.

The most common one I have heard is that everybody makes it to the World-to-Come but many need to go through a purification process.

In some tradition, those that cannot go through the purification process for being too evil, there is either a Hell-like area or they are destroyed entirely. I don't believe in Hell myself and most Jews I know do not.

Thanks LoAmmi. Good info.

How does one get circumcised if they are at a mature age? Does a Rabbi do it or do they go to a doctor?

The afterlife thing is interesting. I always remember when reading the OT, there was little spoken about the afterlife and most mention was of sleeping or not being conscious in death.

I read a theory that the entire concept of an afterlife didn't really appear in Judaism until the influence of the Greeks arrived.

Thanks again.

 

[gord44]

This website has information Judaism 101 ...

My email wes_31@hotmail.com.

Thanks Wesley.

 

[LoAmmi]

How does one get circumcised if they are at a mature age? Does a Rabbi do it or do they go to a doctor?

There has to be blood drawn. The way hospitals do it would not meet that requirement. I assume a rabbi does it, but potentially in a hospital.

I read a theory that the entire concept of an afterlife didn't really appear in Judaism until the influence of the Greeks arrived.

There are hints in the Tanakh. Also, we know that the resurrection of the dead is in the Tanakh, so it points to something happening after death.

 

[gord44]

Thanks again LoAmmi! Appreciate your time!

 

[LoAmmi]

I suppose I should say mohel instead of rabbi. I don't think a mohel needs to be a rabbi. I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

[Supreme]

I think the conversion to Judaism is a long process- it really sets out the men from the boys, ie those who really want to convert. Judaism isn't a missionary religion, and so doesn't encourage conversion, but Jews who do convert are made to feel welcome.

The afterlife isn't a big thing in Judaism, and some parts of the OT are very pessimistic about death. Nonetheless, different Jews will have different perspectives.

 

[LoAmmi]

I think the conversion to Judaism is a long process- it really sets out the men from the boys, ie those who really want to convert. Judaism isn't a missionary religion, and so doesn't encourage conversion, but Jews who do convert are made to feel welcome.

Yeah, this is true. Like I said, there are three discouragements. I know a common one is a reference to the Holocaust and a reminder that if the person converts, they would be part of that if it happened again.

The afterlife isn't a big thing in Judaism, and some parts of the OT are very pessimistic about death. Nonetheless, different Jews will have different perspectives.

This is true. We are to focus on this life far more than anything that happens after death. Unlike what some people will try to say, we don't believe we earn our way into Heaven. We follow Torah because we're told to do so by HaShem and because we want to be close to HaShem. The end result is one where we just don't focus on what comes next.

 

[gord44]

Hi LoAmmi

A few more questions if you don't mind.

What is Jewish prayer like? Is there set prayers? I looked into Islam for a bit and enjoyed the Salah (5 prayers). I read somewhere that in Judaism you pray 3 times a day? Curious to learn more.

What are Conservative congregations all about?

Thanks again.

 

[LoAmmi]

What is Jewish prayer like? Is there set prayers? I looked into Islam for a bit and enjoyed the Salah (5 prayers). I read somewhere that in Judaism you pray 3 times a day? Curious to learn more.

There are set prayers, but you can pray outside of them. Synagogue services are pretty much the same every week with holidays adding prayers and such. The shema is recited twice daily by those who keep more Orthodox.

What are Conservative congregations all about?

Conservative follows the idea that the Torah is binding, but should also be understood for modern times. For example, we're not supposed to drive on Shabbat, but a Conservative synagogue may say it is ok to drive to the synagogue on Shabbat. I tend to agree with that because I find it important to attend services and it is not possible for me to live close to a synagogue.

 

[xDenax]

I suppose I should say mohel instead of rabbi. I don't think a mohel needs to be a rabbi. I'm not 100% sure on that.

No, I don't think so. I've heard some are actually medical doctors but I've never met one myself.

 

[Seeeking]

I assume Rabbi Moshe Weiner's book "The Divine Code" (Sefer Sheva Mitzvot HaShem) was written from an Orthodox perspective. Are there similar books written from the view of other branches of Judaism?