Ask The Rabbi!!

[ade06]

Can a non-circumsized man become jewish without becoming circumsized?

[GolfNut]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

Whoa!! You guys are keeping your foot on the gas... some good, tough questions. Keep 'em coming.

But, how about some easier ones like
"Whatcha smokin' Rabs?"

good stuff

OK,
Whatcha Smokin Rab's?!

Seriously though, nice thread. I too have learned from it.

(Lew, you are too much, but I already knew that!)

[ade06]

Do jews ever remorsefully discuss Jesus' death?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by nozero

Wisdom mit a bissel humor. I love it!


For what it's worth Rabbi, you make me want to be a better Jew.

Baruch HaShem. That's the goal.

It does my heart good.

[ade06]

Ok here is a gimmi, are cigars purchased from B and M's better than cigars purchased from on-line stores?

[M1903A1]

Is there such a thing as "too much garlic"?

[Parshooter]

Matzoh balls: hard or soft?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by Parshooter

Matzoh balls: hard or soft?

I used to be a hard matzoh ball fan, but when I got married I saw the advantage of light & fluffy... now we just go with whatever comes out, as my wife's matzoh balls rock!!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by M1903A1

Is there such a thing as "too much garlic"?

no.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ade06

Ok here is a gimmi, are cigars purchased from B and M's better than cigars purchased from on-line stores?

What's the question - of course!!

Does B&M stand for bowel movement?! Jewish mothers have to make sure you are regular.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ade06

Do jews ever remorsefully discuss Jesus' death?

no.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by GolfNut

OK,
Whatcha Smokin Rab's?!

Seriously though, nice thread. I too have learned from it.

(Lew, you are too much, but I already knew that!)

Good stuff! Learning is the point!

Just went on a CC kick with a box-split of RASCC and H.Upmann Coronas Major - (cheaper stuff 'cause of my high Rabbi income) that are delicious. I am really impressed with both ROTT.

I really, really love Illusione MK's right now. I also like NHC house blend londsdales. Last week, I had a Tat Cojonu 2009 that was great and a eo601 Mi Barrio that was nice, thick smoke. I want to get my hands on some more Esencia cigars, as I really liked the 2 I had a while ago.

I am slowly growing away from Padron's and even many DPG's that taste very similiar. I am kind of really getting into specific cigars, rather that tasting what is new out there, as I have been a little disappointed and strapped for cash, but I always cycle back.
I want to try some different CC marcas that I have never had SCdlH, Cuaba and some H.Upmann.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ade06

Can a non-circumsized man become jewish without becoming circumsized?

I don't believe so.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ade06

Is it offensive for a non-jew to refer to a jew as a jew (in a non-deroggatory manner)?

Not necessarily. Jewish is fine. Anything non-derrogatory hopefully shouldn't/wouldn't be considered degrading.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by MithShrike

Rabbi,

Perhaps you can enlighten me on a religious point. I have studied as much as I can find at the used book store and the library which isn't nearly as much as I wish. My background is Christian, Baha'i, and now a cynical agnostic. My question is about the nature of Satan. From what I've read, the duality of good and evil was greatly changed once the Jewish nation came in contact with Zoroastrians in their exile in Babylon. From what little I have read, Satan was Ha-Satan or the greatest servant of G-d and tested the servants of G-d. He was not a diametrically opposed being of once angelic origins. The story of Job makes a lot more sense to me when I heard about this context. For some reason there is a... misconception or evolution of the character of Satan from greatest servant to diametrically opposed evil incarnate a la Zoroastrian Angra Mainyu at least in the modern Christian view of Satan. Is there a fall of Satan in pre-Babylon writings?

Sounds like you have been reading Harold Bloom... not that that is a bad thing.

The scenario you portrayed about "Satan's fall" is not something discussed in any Torah-true Jewish text that I have come across, mystical or otherwise. HaSoton (with an 'uh' not an 'ay' as it is pronounced in hebrew) is merely the name for the evil inclination that resides within a person, which they must overcome and transform to do good.

Great story...

When G-d was creating the world and He created the evil inclination (aforementioned) He had to come up with a name. So first G-d called him the "yetzer horah" - evil inclination. He came back to G-d and said no one will listen to me if I am called that, who wants to really do EVIL - Rah? So G-d sent him back with the name "soton" - that didn't work either, they all new it was a negative proper name. uh-uh they said. So G-d called him the "nefesh habahamis" - the animal soul. But still he came back saying no one wanted to associate with him because they are people, not animals, why get involved with something below us. Then he was called the "sitra achra" - the other side, Oy! who wants to be on the "other side", I want to be on the right side!! So this went on and on until he got the name "Yesh" - literally to exist, but meaning ego. He said "Aha!" - this is a good name I can trick people into doing wrong with, everyone wants to exist and be validated and hold themselves as independent (especially from G-d). People will say "I AM SOMETHING" and their ego and self-aggrandizement will lead them astray, and so it was...

We can't see ourselves a independent from G-d or immediately we fall down the slippery slope.

[ActionAndy]

I know the Catholics have come to declare that extraterrestrial life would not interfere with the Catholic faith. That is, the Pope has said that he sees nothing wrong with the theory that life (intelligent as well) exists on other planets...How do jews feel about aliens?

Rad thread by the way.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

everyone wants to exist and be validated and hold themselves as independent (especially from G-d). People will say "I AM SOMETHING" and their ego and self-aggrandizement will lead them astray, and so it was...

"Men make plans...G-d laughs."

We can't see ourselves a independent from G-d or immediately we fall down the slippery slope.

Not to be confused with "THAT" slope...right?

[ade06]

Originally Posted by ActionAndy

I know the Catholics have come to declare that extraterrestrial life would not interfere with the Catholic faith. That is, the Pope has said that he sees nothing wrong with the theory that life (intelligent as well) exists on other planets...How do jews feel about aliens?

Rad thread by the way.

Thanks for the thread. You rock! Also, what is your position on ghosts?

[ehdg]

Rabbi,

TKs so much for doing this for us. I'm finding this some very interesting reading and very informative also. Here's my simple question.

My daughter is just over 2 now and for family reasons that I don't need to get into here we to this point haven't done a baby naming for her. Is this a problem or will it be a problem later when we enroll her in Hebrew school and look to have a Bat Mitzvah for her?

Tks so much.

[Emjaysmash]

Wow...Great Response!! Keep it up!