I'm Jewish. Ask me anything.

[takoma]

Anonymous wrote:Wikipedia is not exactly an encyclopedia without errors.
'Medieval Europe' can mean several countries in several different centuries. Some sections were ruled more strictly by the church than others, some were not at all. Some places had a mix of different ethnic groups and they were not all treated equal. No central power except what some interpret as the power of the catholic church, except other parts were under islam and others by the orthodox church. Others coexisted with the existing paganism

So this is something I would really like to know more about. I know it could not be Spain as that was muslim. Italy is not really 'medieval europe', so I assume you are talking about the Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, Poland etc?
Poland did not have jews in 'medieval' times.

I expressed my impression of where the tight-fisted Jew stereotype began. When asked for more information, I gave what little I could, which was a quote from Wiki because it pretty much encapsulated my meager knowledge, rather than as an expert source. If you want more knowledge, I don't purport to have it.

[Anonymous]

why do the jews in america think we should stand behind israel just because they are jewish?
also do you feel that israeli people think of american jews the same ways as they think of themselves?

[takoma]

Anonymous wrote:why do the jews in america think we should stand behind israel just because they are jewish?
also do you feel that israeli people think of american jews the same ways as they think of themselves?

I think PP is making some incorrect assumptions. For example, many of us Jews do not think we should be backing all of Israel's policies, and among those who do, I doubt many of them would justify it on grounds that Israel is Jewish. I don't know any Israelis, but I doubt their views of us American Jews are any more uniform than our views of ourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why do the jews in america think we should stand behind israel just because they are jewish?
also do you feel that israeli people think of american jews the same ways as they think of themselves?

Many of us do not stand behind Israel.
Many of us have no idea how Israelis think of us, nor do we care.

[Anonymous]

If I am a man raised Catholic but curious about the Jewish faith, (there are a lot of things that simply make sense to me) where should I start?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I am a man raised Catholic but curious about the Jewish faith, (there are a lot of things that simply make sense to me) where should I start?

Amazon.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I am a man raised Catholic but curious about the Jewish faith, (there are a lot of things that simply make sense to me) where should I start?

Have sex with a Jewish woman.

[Anonymous]

Can you really do anything thru the hole in the sheet?

[Anonymous]

Do you have relationships with Germans?

[Anonymous]

Are non-practicing Jews shun like the Amish who leave their order?

Obviously, all Jewish people are expected to observe the religion right? What happens to those who accept other forms like Christianity? Are they frowned upon by family?

[AHaygood]

My husband and I are expecting a son the beginning of June. I am Jewish but my husband is not although we will be raising our son Jewish. We want our son circumcised but I would prefer to have a mohel do the ceremony in the hospital and not wait 8 days. The main reason being, we have no family in town and VERY few friends, we only just moved here last fall. Being that I would have to do most of the planning, just because my sweet husband doesn't know what to do not that he doesn't want to help, I would feel more comfortable just getting it done in the hospital rather than plan the whole Bris celebration 8 days after giving birth.

Are there any mohel's in the area, that you know of, who would be willing to do the ceremony in the hospital?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do Orthodox Jewish women wear wigs? Are they shaved underneath or have their natural hair?

Why is it that Jews have traditionally been diamond cutters? They seem to run the show in this specialized profession (like in the diamond district in NYC).

Hair is considered sexual, so their hair is covered. It keeps their appearance modest. I have orthodox family members in NYC and Israel and all have regular hair underneath. Perhaps some women shave their heads but I don't know anyone who has done so.

About wigs there are some ultra orthodox Hassidic jews who have the custom to completely shave. Also there some rabbis mainly in israel who even prohibit wigs and onld permit snoods etc. Also some women have a custom to completely shave after a period since the hair grown during that time is considered impure since in jewish law the husband separateseparates from his wife

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with tons of Jews but I could never ask this question. Do you think you are special/chosen and the rest of us are not?

I grew up Catholic but don't practice and never identified as being special or saved in some way.

Just wondering-- thanks

To be honest, I do. I didn't have that clarity growing up when I was in Saturday or Sunday school and in Hebrew school. As ive matured, I view religion a bit differently. I don't walk around entitled.

does this chosen status apply to part jewish people?

Sorry but you are totally wrong on that you are only considered jewish if your mother is jewish. The other way would be to convert, but only if done with proper intentions and only because you really want to be closer to g-d . The basic explanation as to why we feel more superior to gentiles is because we believe that we got the bible etc. and we keep it and that makes us different,similar to a kings special friends. Btw according to jewish law we discourage people from converting. A rabbi has to reject you three times to make sure you are serious about it. We actually believe that we are special, but you don't need to convert. according to jewish law all you would need to do to be considered a good gentile is to keep the seven noahide laws don't kill steal commit adultery etc.
Yep. If one of your parents is Jewish, you're in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do Orthodox Jewish women wear wigs? Are they shaved underneath or have their natural hair?

Why is it that Jews have traditionally been diamond cutters? They seem to run the show in this specialized profession (like in the diamond district in NYC).

Hair is considered sexual, so their hair is covered. It keeps their appearance modest. I have orthodox family members in NYC and Israel and all have regular hair underneath. Perhaps some women shave their heads but I don't know anyone who has done so.

About wigs there are some ultra orthodox Hassidic jews who have the custom to completely shave. Also there some rabbis mainly in israel who even prohibit wigs and onld permit snoods etc. Also some women have a custom to completely shave after a period since the hair grown during that time is considered impure since in jewish law the husband separates from his wife for that amount of time until she immerses in a ritual bath. So any hair grown in the time that he is not allowed to touch her etc. is considered impure.

[Anonymous]

AHaygood wrote:My husband and I are expecting a son the beginning of June. I am Jewish but my husband is not although we will be raising our son Jewish. We want our son circumcised but I would prefer to have a mohel do the ceremony in the hospital and not wait 8 days. The main reason being, we have no family in town and VERY few friends, we only just moved here last fall. Being that I would have to do most of the planning, just because my sweet husband doesn't know what to do not that he doesn't want to help, I would feel more comfortable just getting it done in the hospital rather than plan the whole Bris celebration 8 days after giving birth.

Are there any mohel's in the area, that you know of, who would be willing to do the ceremony in the hospital?

Thank you!

I don't know of a mohel who will do the circumcision in the hospital. To have the bris, it needs to be 8 days after the birth. If you're in the hospital, why not have the dr do it?

By the way, as the mom, you are the least important person in the room for the ceremony. There is nothing to an with regard to the bris ceremony. The mohel takes care of it all. The mom plans the brunch. But if you have no family in the area then don't worry about it.