I'm an Orthodox Jew. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

I dont speak for everyone, but I am happy to answer any questions that I can.

[Anonymous]

Do you look down on other religious fanatics (from other faiths)? and i don't mean terrorists, i mean evangelical christians, and the like. if so, why?

[Anonymous]

How do you dress? Do you cover your hair? Wig?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you look down on other religious fanatics (from other faiths)? and i don't mean terrorists, i mean evangelical christians, and the like. if so, why?

I only look down on those who force their beliefs on others. Otherwise, people are free to believe what they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you dress? Do you cover your hair? Wig?

I am pretty liberal in the way I dress - pants, sleeveless, etc. Members of my family and many of my friends only wear long sleeves, high necks, and below-the-knee skirts.

I cover my hair with a hat or scarf in religious situations - school events, synagogue, other jewish events. My mother and sisters wear wigs, scarves or hats all the time.

[Anonymous]

How do you feel about gay marriage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you feel about gay marriage?

I think that gay sex is prohibited by the torah, but so are many other things that people, including orthodox jews, do on a regular basis. IIn that respect, I dont think gays should be treated any differently than those who are not Sabbath observant, eat pork, or gossip.

To me, marriage is both a civil and a religious concept. I got civilly married 2 months before my wedding. I didnt consider myself married until the religious ceremony. I dont think a religious marriage is possible between 2 men or 2 women. Civil marriage has nothing to do with religion.

[Anonymous]

How common are the 'purity' ceremonies for women in the orthodox community?

Do you believe that the orthodox Jewish faith is more or less supportive of women's rights than other orthodox denominations?

[Anonymous]

Do you think Reform Judaism is still real Judaism?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Do you have good friends of different religions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How common are the 'purity' ceremonies for women in the orthodox community?

Do you believe that the orthodox Jewish faith is more or less supportive of women's rights than other orthodox denominations?

I've never heard of a "purity ceremony". Married jewish women are required to immerse in a ritual bath after their periods before they can have sex with their husbands. Almost every orthodox married woman I know does this.

Women's rights vary depending where you are on the orthodox spectrum. Modern orthodoxy treats women as different than men, but still as equals. In my synagogue, women can hold seats on the Board and can speak from the pulpit. In other synagogues, this is not the case. Jewish theology teaches that women are on a higher spiritual plane than men and theats one reason why they dont have to wear a yalmukah, bc they dont need a constant remind that g-d is above them the way men do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have good friends of different religions?

Yes, mostly Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How common are the 'purity' ceremonies for women in the orthodox community?

Do you believe that the orthodox Jewish faith is more or less supportive of women's rights than other orthodox denominations?

I've never heard of a "purity ceremony". Married jewish women are required to immerse in a ritual bath after their periods before they can have sex with their husbands. Almost every orthodox married woman I know does this.

Women's rights vary depending where you are on the orthodox spectrum. Modern orthodoxy treats women as different than men, but still as equals. In my synagogue, women can hold seats on the Board and can speak from the pulpit. In other synagogues, this is not the case. Jewish theology teaches that women are on a higher spiritual plane than men and theats one reason why they dont have to wear a yalmukah, bc they dont need a constant remind that g-d is above them the way men do.

OP here - there are still many areas of jewish law, where women dont have the same rights as men, particularly in the area of divorce. But its long and complicated and I'm too tired to discuss now.

[Anonymous]

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.