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Questions about Judaism, for information not for debate.

Chesterton

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So there's really no such thing as a half-Jew that people mention? You either have at least the mom, or you pass a conversion process? For example, I happen to remember that Geraldo Rivera calls himself half-Jewish, but his mom was Jewish. ?
 
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LoAmmi

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

Also, in the Tanach, when the men return to Israel and have foreign wives, they are ordered to send both the wives and children away. If those children were of Israel, they never would have been sent away. No command was given to wives of foreign husbands that returned, so it is clear those children were of Israel.
 
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LoAmmi

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So there's really no such thing as a half-Jew that people mention? You either have at least the mom, or you pass a conversion process? For example, I happen to remember that Geraldo Rivera calls himself half-Jewish, but his mom was Jewish. ?

Religiously there's no such thing as a half-Jew in the same way that one cannot be half-pregnant. You either are or you aren't.
 
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LoAmmi

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What part of Genesis is unclear on the source of evil?

Just for clarity's sake, is what is written in Genesis a part teaching in Judaism?

(continuing our discussion here)

Where is the source of evil named in Genesis? It isn't in there beyond knowing that HaShem created everything in the Heavens and Earth.

As to the second question... seriously? The Torah is the most important part of Judaism besides HaShem Himself.
 
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brinny

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(continuing our discussion here)

Where is the source of evil named in Genesis? It isn't in there beyond knowing that HaShem created everything in the Heavens and Earth.

As to the second question... seriously? The Torah is the most important part of Judaism besides HaShem Himself.

Does Judaism teach on the book of Genesis?

Thank you.
 
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brinny

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brinny

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We have our own translations. However, we use the original Hebrew most often. Though it says Jewish, we don't consider the JPS to be faithful. (And neither did the JPS)

Thank you. Is there something online that would be the book of Genesis that would be what is utilized in Judaism?
 
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LoAmmi

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brinny

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LoAmmi

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If already happened, then where and who was the Messiah? Was it Ezra?

Isaiah 45:1
"This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

Cyrus was the anointed person to bring the Jews back to Israel after the Babylonian Exile. He is not THE Messiah, which is referring to the final king of Israel, but rather a messiah (anointed) used by the Lord to bring the Jews back home.

Important to note that nowhere in the Tanach is that final king of Israel referred to as The Messiah. It is a post-Biblical title.

But, are there (obedient) angels?

I guess you would say no. If so, Judaism is still as inconsistent as it was 2000 years ago. The origin of this internal inconsistency (angel or no angel, resurrection or no resurrection) is that its doctrine does not cover some critical issues. This leave Jews in the dark and guessing. The critical later half of a complete theology is simply missing.

For example, would a Jew see YHWH after his death? Where would that Jew be after the death? No, the Torah says nothing about it. So what would you think and what will you do? The rebuilding of the Temple and the Nation may not take place in your life time. So where will you be when it happened? How would it matter to you?

If I were a Jew, I will be very depressed by not finding the answer to these questions in Jewish Scriptures.

Attack Christianity (or any other religion) will not make your religion more complete. Judaism lacks a critical part to become a complete religion. No one in any other religion just stayed in grave after death. Something must happen after that. Where is King David's grave today? Is King David just vanished and non-exist anywhere now?

Let me see if I can explain this from a 1000 yard POV.

Judaism is not a religion of beliefs but a religion of action. That action being keeping the commandments given to us by the Lord at Sinai which are recorded within the Torah (first five books). That is the most important part of our faith.

When it comes to beliefs, you will find that we are commanded to believe very little. We're not told what happens to us after death, for example. The Tanach (Old Testament) gives some hints at a few things, but there is nothing concrete. What does Judaism take from this? That what happens after death is not important compared to what happens during life. So, while there are a number of speculative beliefs about what happens, none of them are things Jews MUST believe.

Now, while it may depress you if those answers aren't there, it doesn't depress me or many other Jews because we understand these things. We've been taught it. You've been taught to care a lot more about it.
 
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juvenissun

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Now, while it may depress you if those answers aren't there, it doesn't depress me or many other Jews because we understand these things. We've been taught it. You've been taught to care a lot more about it.

So what is the purpose of this life for Jews? Just waiting? In addition to just obey the commandments, Is there any positive motivation to do anything?
 
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LoAmmi

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So what is the purpose of this life for Jews? Just waiting? In addition to just obey the commandments, Is there any positive motivation to do anything?

The purpose of life is to keep the Torah as we agreed upon with the Lord. We keep His Torah, we are His people, and He is our deity. We are not promised any individual awards for keeping the Torah, but we are promised things for the community.

I also believe that we're to help repair the broken world, which is Tikkun Olam.
 
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juvenissun

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The purpose of life is to keep the Torah as we agreed upon with the Lord. We keep His Torah, we are His people, and He is our deity. We are not promised any individual awards for keeping the Torah, but we are promised things for the community.

I also believe that we're to help repair the broken world, which is Tikkun Olam.

YHWH gives the Torah without explaining why. What is your "explanations" to what's commanded in the Torah? Everything should have a reason. YHWH says: Do This. Would any Jews ask back: why?
 
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