Question on Jewish Belief

[christianbeginning]

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask but...


1) Assuming that being a "chosen people" is a good thing (ie, like being blessed etc) why is the idea of Jews as "the Chosen People" not a racist belief (especially in modern times)?

2) How did the ancients determine that they were a chosen people?

3) What does "chosen" refer to - ie, chosen for what? And how was that determined?

4) Would it be correct to think of Christians as "modified Jews" - meaning that they believe some of the things Jews believe but have added a few things to the core Jewish beliefs?

 

[YatzivPatgam]

BS'D

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask but...

1) Assuming that being a "chosen people" is a good thing (ie, like being blessed etc) why is the idea of Jews as "the Chosen People" not a racist belief (especially in modern times)?

Becuase Israel is to be an example. HaShem took the lowest nation and will raise it to the Highest nation, as an example of His power and mercy he has for his creation. Now the role the Jew has to play in this world, is we have to be the example. We are bound to the Torah and must follow as closely as possible, while the world at large follows the Torah's base guidelines.

Jews are not going to be rewarded any more then Gentiles when time of Judgement comes, ab\nd may be even punished more harshly.

I would hardly consider it racist, since anyone can become a Jew. You don't have to be born into it.

2) How did the ancients determine that they were a chosen people?

It's a common theme throughought the Hebrew bible, since I lack any texts here at hand, I will have to leave those quotes up to someone better then I

3) What does "chosen" refer to - ie, chosen for what? And how was that determined?

Chosen to follow the Torah. To accept the never-ending covenent at Sinai.

4) Would it be correct to think of Christians as "modified Jews" - meaning that they believe some of the things Jews believe but have added a few things to the core Jewish

If I am not mistaken, there is the "Replacement Theology" that exists within Christidom. COuld someone expound apaun that better?

 

[christianbeginning]

Thanks for your reply:


"....since anyone can become a Jew. You don't have to be born into it."

Is it not true that to be Jewish your mother has to be Jewish? Meaning that if your father is Jewish and your mother is not, then you are not Jewish either.

 

[Henaynei]

Thanks for your reply:


"....since anyone can become a Jew. You don't have to be born into it."

Is it not true that to be Jewish your mother has to be Jewish? Meaning that if your father is Jewish and your mother is not, then you are not Jewish either.

Anyone accepted by the rabbis for the journey can convert to Judaism. Therefore one does not have to be born Jewish.

 

[YatzivPatgam]

Anyone accepted by the rabbis for the journey can convert to Judaism. Therefore one does not have to be born Jewish.

Just thought I would expound on this;

You have to be converted by a real "Rabbi"- meaning a Rabbi who has attended a Jewish seminary and is accredited by the Jewish Federation and the State of Israel. As it stands now, all "Orthodox" schools have this acreditation and 2 "Conservative" schools. So your Reform/Reconstructionist/Mezzie/etc don't have the proper education to deal out a real converstion. You can be converted by them, of course, but it won't be recongnized in most communities, much less Israel itself.

 

[Henaynei]

Just thought I would expound on this;

You have to be converted by a real "Rabbi"- meaning a Rabbi who has attended a Jewish seminary and is accredited by the Jewish Federation and the State of Israel. As it stands now, all "Orthodox" schools have this acreditation and 2 "Conservative" schools. So your Reform/Reconstructionist/Mezzie/etc don't have the proper education to deal out a real converstion. You can be converted by them, of course, but it won't be recongnized in most communities, much less Israel itself.

You are quite correct and I am glad you clarified this. Todah.

 

[christianbeginning]

You have to be converted by a real "Rabbi"- meaning a Rabbi who has attended a Jewish seminary and is accredited by the Jewish Federation and the State of Israel. As it stands now, all "Orthodox" schools have this acreditation and 2 "Conservative" schools. So your Reform/Reconstructionist/Mezzie/etc don't have the proper education to deal out a real converstion. You can be converted by them, of course, but it won't be recongnized in most communities, much less Israel itself.

then not every one can be Jewish. I am pretty certain that "being Jewish" is thought to be passed through the mother. Is this not correct?

 

[Higher Truth]

Replacement theology is ego based thought on the part of some churches.In the New Testament Paul was quite clear that God is NOT finished with the Jewish people. Anyone who holds the replacement belief might want to read this:

Romans 11
1 I say then, Did not God thrust away His people? Let it not be! For I also am an Israelite, out of Abraham's seed, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 "God did not thrust away His people" whom He foreknew. Psa. 94:14 Or do you not know what the Scripture said in Elijah, how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, "they killed Your prophets," "and they dug down Your altars," "and only I am left, and they seek my life." 1 Kg. 19:10
4 But what does the Divine answer say to him, "I reserved to Myself seven thousand men who did not bow a knee to Baal." 1 Kg. 19:18
5 So then, also in the present time a remnant according to election of grace has come into being.

Paul goes on in this chapter to tell the non-Jews not to boast against the Jews.

18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, it is not you that bears the root, but the root bears you.

People better start reading the scriptures and quit listening to tele-evangelists and errant pastors.

 

[Higher Truth]

Yatziv stated:

So your Reform/Reconstructionist/Mezzie/etc don't have the proper education to deal out a real converstion. You can be converted by them, of course, but it won't be recongnized in most communities, much less Israel itself.

HT:

Reconstructionist Judasim has all but eliminated HaShem, therefore is it really Judaism?
Even worse there are non-Jews out there claiming to be Jews, trying to start new branches of what they deem to be Judaism and even selling "conversions". It was very clear in Deuteronomy that non-Jews were not to be over Jews during the time of Moses, therefore this goes against the Torah.