I'm an Orthodox Jew. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think Reform Judaism is still real Judaism?

I think if you are born jewish, you are jewish. Those practicing Reform Judaism are not observing Jewish law. IMO, its better to practice something rather than nothing, but when you dilute the rules of the religion to a point that little defines you as "jewish," it makes it very difficult to maintain for future generations.

So basically, you look down on Reform Jews?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think Reform Judaism is still real Judaism?

I think if you are born jewish, you are jewish. Those practicing Reform Judaism are not observing Jewish law. IMO, its better to practice something rather than nothing, but when you dilute the rules of the religion to a point that little defines you as "jewish," it makes it very difficult to maintain for future generations.

So basically, you look down on Reform Jews?

I never said I look down on reform Jews. I dont look down on anyone bc of their chosen level of observance. I just dont agree that Reform Judaism is the proper way to practice Judaism.

Basically, I think that the Torah and its laws are Divine. Along with the written Torah, the Jews were given an oral tradition which codifies the laws of the Torah. Not everyone is knowledgeable enough or simply at a point in their lives where they are ready or able to adhere to all the laws of the written and oral tradition. However, when you reject the divinity of the Torah, it makes the laws far more difficult to follow, i.e., if G-d didnt comand them, why should I listen? If no one is following the laws, there is little to nothing to define the Jews and that can lead to the extinction of the Jewish people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you are more refreshed, can you explain why many in the orthodox community want the state to step in and legislate on granting a get? If it is part of your religion and you choose to practice your religion, why get the state involved to "fix" what is a religious problem? I'm not even talking about the separation of church and state, but more about the fact that it's a religious principle of your faith and it should be accepted or changed by the religion if it isn't working properly. If changing it isn't allowed then you are still stuck with a religious problem. For the record, I think the principle of a get is oppressive to women, but I don't understand why it should be the government's problem to solve aside from the fact that it's an obvious separation of church and state.

I agree that the principle of a get is oppressive to women. Rabbis are increasingly requiring couples to sign a legally (in the civil courts) prenup to help alleviate the problem in the rare cases where an ex-husband refuses to give his wife a get. In those cases, the wife, and the community, turns to any and all avenues to compel the husband to give the get. Sometimes that means trying to use the courts. I dont know where anyone has asked the state legislature to step in, but I am not familiar with every case. I dont really see how it can be legislated and dont think its a good idea to ask the state to step in. If its been done, its generally out of desperation.

[Anonymous]

Do you think that being Jewish is different from being another religion in the sense that someone could be born Jewish but people of other religions aren't born that way? Or is it just a manner of speaking? For example, I was raised catholic but would never say I was born catholic. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I know very little about Judaism!

[Anonymous]

What do you think of Hillary Clinton & that other woman being erased from that photo in the NYC newspaper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think that being Jewish is different from being another religion in the sense that someone could be born Jewish but people of other religions aren't born that way? Or is it just a manner of speaking? For example, I was raised catholic but would never say I was born catholic. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I know very little about Judaism!

Yes, people are born Jewish or they convert to be Jewish. Technically, even if you dont believe in G-d or never practice Judaism at all or even convert to another religion, Jews will always consider someone born Jewish to be Jewish. Also, once a person converts, they are Jewish and will always be considered Jewish, even if they change their minds or convert to a different religion.

Based on some of the answers from the Hindu post, I suppose its similar in that you are born Hindu. This is different from Christian or Catholic religions, where you have to be baptized or there is a belief system that constitutes the religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of Hillary Clinton & that other woman being erased from that photo in the NYC newspaper?

It was wrong and stupid and not in accordance with Jewish law at all. There are certain sects of ultra-Orthodox Judaism who think that its necessary to remove women from public life and all forms of media as a modesty issue. The wide majority of Orthdox Jews, even many ultra-Orthodox Jews, do not believe in this. Woman had factored prominently in Jewish life for 1000's of years and the majority of rabbinic responses do not support the complete separation of men and women to the extent that these ultra-Orthodox Jews advocate.

[Anonymous]

What do you think of the ultra-orthodox jews in Israel - do you support them generally? Do you think Israel should continue letting them build settlements in the West Bank? Should the lines be re-drawn to 1967 borders?

[Anonymous]

Would you ever send your kids to public school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the ultra-orthodox jews in Israel - do you support them generally? Do you think Israel should continue letting them build settlements in the West Bank? Should the lines be re-drawn to 1967 borders?

I dont support anyone who asks for hand-outs from the government when they are capable of working and then bashes the government and the tax-paying citizens who support them. Despite the stories, there is actually an increasing population of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel who are looking for jobs and getting trained in a variety of fields, rather than just learning all day. The lifestyle/system simply isnt sustainable as it, due to the increasing numbers and dwindling support. Most Orthodox theology supports and encourages working for money, along with Jewish study. It wasnt until more recently that entire communities of men were encouraged not to work.


I support Israel but I cant/wont comment on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Its way too complicated and there are only losers on all sides. If and when I choose to move to Israel, I'll get involved in Israeli politics.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't asking about the work / handout issue. I was asking about Israel's continuing support of them in their buildout of settlements in the West Bank. As a Jew, do you think this is a policy that is helpful for the Jewish people generally? Does the Ultra Orthodox segment of the population now effectively hold the country, and arguably Jewish people worldwide, hostage? Do you think Israel will ever be viewed popularly in the rest of the world if the settlements continue?

I don't think you can simply say it's not your concern because it's complicated, or because you don't live in Israel. The fundamental purpose of Israel is to provide a safe haven for Jews, but isn't that now being put at risk because of the Ultra-Orthodox and the country's policy of supporting them? Doesn't that affect all Jews worldwide?

[Anonymous]

do you consider a person with one jewish parent or grandparent a jew?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you ever send your kids to public school?

Only if we couldnt afford day school tuition, although I struggle with this on a regular basis. My kid is still young and is at a secular preschool. I love their current school, but it makes me sad that they dont learn about Shabbat and the holidays and I cringed a little when they came home talking about Santa Clause instead of the Maccabees.

Its a big struggle bc I want them to have diverse friends, however there are some barriers. They wouldnt be able to eat at their friends houses or go to their parties on Saturdays. We have friends who are conscious of it and will serve our family kosher snacks on paper plates and we appreciate that, but would never mandate it to DC's friends' parents. Although I had/have many non-Jewish and non-Orthodox friends later in life (high school and later), its hard on young kids and I dont want them to resent Judaism - although my kid currently accepts the "you cant eat that bc its not kosher" or "we dont watch tv on Shabbat" without much question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:do you consider a person with one jewish parent or grandparent a jew?

Only on the mother's side. i.e. if its your mother or your mother's mother. I dont believe people with only a Jewish father are Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wasn't asking about the work / handout issue. I was asking about Israel's continuing support of them in their buildout of settlements in the West Bank. As a Jew, do you think this is a policy that is helpful for the Jewish people generally? Does the Ultra Orthodox segment of the population now effectively hold the country, and arguably Jewish people worldwide, hostage? Do you think Israel will ever be viewed popularly in the rest of the world if the settlements continue?

I don't think you can simply say it's not your concern because it's complicated, or because you don't live in Israel. The fundamental purpose of Israel is to provide a safe haven for Jews, but isn't that now being put at risk because of the Ultra-Orthodox and the country's policy of supporting them? Doesn't that affect all Jews worldwide?

Its not the ultra-orthodox Jews who are building the settlements, its nationalistic Jews - thats why I got confused and answered regarding hand-outs. Again, I cant comment on Israeli policies. Sorry if this violates my "ask me anything" premise.