Ask The Rabbi!!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by smokin5

There are 3 kinds of Jews.
Orthodox
Conservative &
Reform (Goyim)

I think that explains it.


And Rav, I love you, but your last response was WAYYYY too long.
I left for popcorn 1/2-way thru.

I warned you! It was only for those who TRULY wanted to explore the topic in depth. hope the popcorn was good!

ps. HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY, believe it or not I was raised reform!!! A Jew is Jew!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by mi2az

I was totaly Baffeled.

About 4 years ago, I went to my nephew's wedding. It was held at a Reform Shuel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Just after the Service and Before the Reception they had food that was being served in the waiting area of the Shuel. What they were serving, I was shocked.

They were serving Shrimp, Pork and other unclean items. I knew that most Reform Jews ate that type of food at least out of their homes and do not keep Kosher but why did they serve it in the Temple.

A Jew is a Jew - as I have mentioned numerous times on this thread - as long as his/her mother's mother's mother etc... is Jewish, no matter their actions.

Unfortunately, you witnessed an act that flies in the face of normative Torah-based Judaism. The Torah is what decides what is inherently "Jewish" - not some new (last 100 or so years) denomination, some errant "rabbi", or contrary to popular belief Mel Brooks or deli-stlye cuisine. The Torah is true, Moshe is true - labels are for shirts, not Jews.
Torah says such food you mentioned is forbidden for Jewish people. The scenario exists and is unfortunate.

Thanks so much for your post, if you need any clarification, please let me know.

if u find said lost wallet will u give me it back ?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by adampc22

if u find said lost wallet will u give me it back ?

El Segundo my friend, El Segundo, did you not see the video clip?!

ps El Segundo is in SoCal, I am in NY.

[Starscream]

Can you explain the concept of "Satan" for the Jewish religion for me? I myself (as a Christian) do not believe in "the Devil", and I hear that there is no such concept as Satan or the Devil for the Jewish religion. Yet Satan is a character in the book of Job (although that character doesn't appear to be the same incarnation of Satan that a lot of Christians claim to be The Devil).

No offense intended for any Christians who do believe in The Devil. We can agree to disagree. That's why we have so many denominations.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Can you explain the concept of "Satan" for the Jewish religion for me? I myself (as a Christian) do not believe in "the Devil", and I hear that there is no such concept as Satan or the Devil for the Jewish religion. Yet Satan is a character in the book of Job (although that character doesn't appear to be the same incarnation of Satan that a lot of Christians claim to be The Devil).

No offense intended for any Christians who do believe in The Devil. We can agree to disagree. That's why we have so many denominations.

Yes, very different from other world religions take...

I believe I answered this a few pages back, but here is a nice piece...
(short & sweet - smokin5)

Is there any sort of Purgatory or Satan in Jewish teachings?

By Eliezer Danzinger

a) Various sources suggest that Gehinom, Purgatory, is a physical place, somewhere deep beneath the earth's surface, where the souls of the wicked are punished.1

Nachmanides (Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman 1195-1270) writes

"These and other similar matters cannot be interpreted as a parable or as some ominous saying. The Rabbis specified its location and the length and width of its dimensions. They consider [the heat generated by Gehinom] in the context of Jewish law."

Notwithstanding the sources above subscribing to and depicting Gehinom as a physical place, other sources -- in Kabbalah, Chassidut, and Jewish philosophy -- portray Gehinom in more abstract and spiritual terms. In fact, later, as Nachmanides continues his above mentioned exposition on Gehinom, he seems to do an about-face, also explaining the fires of Gehinom and the punishment endured by the soul in spiritual terms.

The discrepancy, however, between the various depictions of Gehinom can be reconciled based on the mystical concept that reality has manifold layers. So although the mystical dimension of Torah focuses on the higher reality, including the underlying spiritual reality and dynamics of Gehinom, the revealed dimension of Torah speaks about the physical manifestations of reality within the context of the here-and-now, the tangible and the palpable. This explains why our Sages have said that a Scriptural verse always retains its simple meaning, even while each and every verse alludes to the most exalted of mystical concepts.

According to Judaism, the purifying process that a sullied soul undergoes to cleanse it from its spiritual uncleanliness is a temporary one, and is restorative in its intent, and not punitive, as many mistakenly believe. Ultimately, all Jews have portion in the World to Come, as do Righteous Gentiles, non-Jews who observe the Seven Noahide Commandments.

b) According to Torah, no spiritual force opposes G‑d. This includes Satan, who is a spiritual entity that faithfully carries out its divinely assigned task of trying to seduce people to stumble. Satan is also identified with the Prosecutor above -- that's what the word Satan itself means: it's just Hebrew for prosecutor -- who levels charges against the guilty party who succumbs to its wily arguments. Look in the beginning chapter of the Book of Job and you'll see that clearly.

In fact, the Talmud says, all that Satan does, he does for the sake of heaven. Without him, the defense attorney wouldn't bother to dig up all the merits of the defense. And the defense would have to try so hard to give himself more merits.

So you see that really nothing happens in the entire world without G-d approving. That's why we Jews have so many complaints to him that we need to talk to him three times a day. The buck really stops at His office.

Finally, when the Divine Court decides that someone, G‑d forbid, deserves to die, then Satan is dispatched from Above to carry out the sentence.3

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

b) According to Torah, no spiritual force opposes G‑d. This includes Satan, who is a spiritual entity that faithfully carries out its divinely assigned task of trying to seduce people to stumble. Satan is also identified with the Prosecutor above -- that's what the word Satan itself means: it's just Hebrew for prosecutor -- who levels charges against the guilty party who succumbs to its wily arguments. Look in the beginning chapter of the Book of Job and you'll see that clearly.

That's what I was trying to figure out. The beginning of Job makes much more sense when seen this way. I can see him as a prosecutor in the first chapter rather than an instigator. Or at least a debater.
Thanks Rabbi

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

That's what I was trying to figure out. The beginning of Job makes much more sense when seen this way. I can see him as a prosecutor in the first chapter rather than an instigator. Or at least a debater.
Thanks Rabbi

You got it right on! No probs. Glad I could help!

will u go to socal and get the wallet back for me you are alot closer to there than i am lol

[potlimit]

Hey Rabs,

Long time no talk (or type, whatever)! Told my roommate about this thread, and he wanted to know if I could post a question for him:

Aside from any debatable health issues, what is the philosophical basis for the laws of Kashrut?

Thanks in advance,
Mase

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by potlimit

Hey Rabs,

Long time no talk (or type, whatever)! Told my roommate about this thread, and he wanted to know if I could post a question for him:

Aside from any debatable health issues, what is the philosophical basis for the laws of Kashrut?

Thanks in advance,
Mase

Hey, great to see you back!

Good question.
Firstly, the basis for the laws of Kashrut are neither based on health issues nor philisophical premises.
The laws of Kashrut are an explicit command from G-d in the Torah (5 Books of Moses), most of which have no specific logical reason, according to simple human intellect.
Example: Why when kosher meat and kosher milk come together they make something NOT-kosher? By themselves they are fine, but together completely prohibitted to benefit from, not just eat - EVEN to feed to a dog or use for shampoo - a milk-meat combo is prohibitted for a Jewish person. So for no health reason, nor can philosophy explain it.
It is simply a command from G-d, as to how a Jew is supposed to conduct him/herself when interfacing with the world, to refine it - in this case through astentia from non-kosher, and partaking in kosher.

Good stuff. Keep 'em coming!