I'm an Orthodox Jew. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

what if that person't mother was converted by a reform rabbi, not an orthodox rabbi - before that person was born.

[Anonymous]

Do you vote republican or democrat?

[Anonymous]

Ok, let me ask it a different way. Does your shul or do others in your community support the orthodox jews in the west bank? Perhaps it is an unfair assumption, but my guess is yes. If so, then dont you as well?

I disagree with you about who is building the settlements - they may call themselves nationalistic jews, or that may be some PC-term that has been cooked up in an attempt to defuse the religious tension, but the fact is that the ultra-orthodox are the driving force behind the settlements, and the political establishment in Israel can't do anything about it because of the growth and influence of that segment of the population. This is a major, major problem for all Jews. I think it's the responsibility of all Jews to have an opinion on this - it's fundamental to our future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what if that person't mother was converted by a reform rabbi, not an orthodox rabbi - before that person was born.

This happened to one of my good friends and she converted bc she wanted to make sure there were no doubts. She also wanted to ensure it wasnt an issue when she got married and for her own kids.

Generally, I still believe the person would need to convert again, even as just a formality, but it would depend on who converted the mom and how that process went.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you vote republican or democrat?

Democrat. My dad once said I could not marry a non-Jew or a republican.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what if that person't mother was converted by a reform rabbi, not an orthodox rabbi - before that person was born.

This happened to one of my good friends and she converted bc she wanted to make sure there were no doubts. She also wanted to ensure it wasnt an issue when she got married and for her own kids.

Generally, I still believe the person would need to convert again, even as just a formality, but it would depend on who converted the mom and how that process went.

Ok, but you realize for a man that "formality" includes a ritual circumcision. Even if he had a bris performed by a reform or conservative rabbi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what if that person't mother was converted by a reform rabbi, not an orthodox rabbi - before that person was born.

This happened to one of my good friends and she converted bc she wanted to make sure there were no doubts. She also wanted to ensure it wasnt an issue when she got married and for her own kids.

Generally, I still believe the person would need to convert again, even as just a formality, but it would depend on who converted the mom and how that process went.

Ok, but you realize for a man that "formality" includes a ritual circumcision. Even if he had a bris performed by a reform or conservative rabbi.

I've only known women who this affected. For men, if they are circumcised, they cant be circumcised again. There is a tiny bit of blood that needs to be drawn for the ritual. I dont know how invasive it is.

[Anonymous]

Aa a man, that seems pretty invasive to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aa a man, that seems pretty invasive to me.

As a married woman, i find many of the laws of ritual purity to be very invasive [code]but i believe so i follow them.

[Anonymous]

Is it true that some rabbis use their mouths to clean a baby boy after his bris? And I know that it is true, there was a case several years ago in NY where a rabbi spread herpes to several baby boys after performing this disgusting ritual. I read about it in the WaPo. I don't feel like linking the source now, but I'm sure you will know what I am talking about.

[Anonymous]

My mom has one friend who is an orthodox jewish woman, and her husband stays home and studies the torah. They have seven kids, and only the wife works (at a low paying job). She feels it is considered an honor for her husband to be able to study. Is this customary? If so, is the man supposed to be helping with the child-rearing duties? I don't understand this set up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that some rabbis use their mouths to clean a baby boy after his bris? And I know that it is true, there was a case several years ago in NY where a rabbi spread herpes to several baby boys after performing this disgusting ritual. I read about it in the WaPo. I don't feel like linking the source now, but I'm sure you will know what I am talking about.

It is true but it is not an acceptable practice in mainstream orthodox judaism. I dont know anyone who thinks its ok, and definitely not in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that some rabbis use their mouths to clean a baby boy after his bris? And I know that it is true, there was a case several years ago in NY where a rabbi spread herpes to several baby boys after performing this disgusting ritual. I read about it in the WaPo. I don't feel like linking the source now, but I'm sure you will know what I am talking about.

WHAT???!!!
I'm not op but I am Jewish. I have a dd but if I had a ds he would be circ. No way in hell would I allow this to happen. Why weren't the authorities alerted when a grown man put his mouth on a baby boys penis? And why wasn't cps called on the parents who stood by watching this happen?

[Anonymous]

Do you struggle with keeping kosher? Do your children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

New York has a special law and currently several representatives of communities in MoCo and Baltimore, including rabbis are asking for a similar law in MD. The law would essentially prohibit the granting of a civil divorce until the get is granted.