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I want to start learning about Judism | by mysterious gurl | 2007-10-08 08:22:14 |
| There are lots of flavors. |
by Medievalist |
2007-10-08 09:44:13 |
Reform Judaism is an ethics based religion. It is entirely compatible with most forms of buddhism and with Unitarian Universalism. It is arguably the most highly evolved of the "desert monotheisms" yet it preserves many of the beautiful rituals of the ancient Israelites.
Orthodox Judaism is a revealed truth religion and fundamentally racist (in the same sense that the NAACP is also). Many Orthodox Jews will not consider a female convert to be a "real jew". ("Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever, that ye may be strong and eat of the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever." -- Book of Ezra 9:12)
There are quite a few other flavors and distinctions amongst Jews. Most people I've met (East Coast USA) self-identify as either reform, conservative, or orthodox. You can see a chart of differences between these here - http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/kenwald/pos4291/spring_00/jewish_practic
e.htm but you'll probably have to look up some Hebrew terms in wikipedia.
Rabbis I've met tended to play down the differences; reform rabbis respect the older tradition from which their faith sprang, and orthodox rabbis really don't want to bring out the differences since so many people in the 21st century are predisposed to dislike ideas about racial destiny, holy geographies, and gender discrimination.
You are more likely to encounter anti-zionist jews in the reform community - very few orthodox jews are non-zionist (although there is a community in Jerusalem that is quite outspoken).
Pro-Israel (aka zionist) Jews will often equate Judaism with zionism and insist that all Jews have a duty to financially support the modern state of Israel. In constrast, Jews that disapprove of Israel's policies might tell you that "the real Israel is state of being, a place in the heart". If you attend shul, and listen carefully to what's being said (or read along with the translation, when necessary) you will see that either interpretation works, but that the message is rather strikingly different.
I've purposely brought out the most divisive issues in the greater Jewish community that you'd be likely to encounter; knowing where the land mines are should help you in social gatherings. I'll probably get flamed by somebody for it!
Anyway, probably the main thing to remember is that Judaism is a very family oriented religion. You don't go celebrate Jewish holy days in a stadium with thousands of people you don't know; you bring the family together around the biggest table you've got and you observe simple, elegant rituals and enjoy traditional foods. Family counts for more than rabbis and synagogues. |
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[ Reply ] |
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Joey is | by mysterious gurl | 2007-10-08 10:01:56 |
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That is a prettey inane statement. | by CynicalRyan | 2007-10-08 10:35:40 |
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We agree on something? | by Havoc | 2007-10-08 10:40:57 |
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I checked Revelations. | by CynicalRyan | 2007-10-08 10:43:22 |
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Genesis 6 | by Havoc | 2007-10-08 10:45:33 |
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You might want to consider that | by Havoc | 2007-10-08 10:38:40 |
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Not conform...but definitely respect. | by esbita | 2007-10-08 11:05:51 |
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Well I atleast need to study it, | by mysterious gurl | 2007-10-08 11:13:56 |
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Study it first... | by esbita | 2007-10-08 11:16:55 |
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I know | by mysterious gurl | 2007-10-08 12:52:40 |
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Over simplified and you missed | by tompaine | 2007-10-08 10:31:10 |
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