Ask The Rabbi!!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by goalie204

What does it mean to you, to be a "good jew"? I consider myself a good person, but i'm not sure if i'm a "good jew" because I don't follow Kashrut, I eat things that i'm not "supposed" to, etc. I'm only a 3 day a year Jew sometimes.nI am Jewish, but don't know what the qualifications for a "good jew" are. I've had a bar mitzvah, and went to hebrew school growing up, and took yeshiva track. I also think no matter what the answer is, it could be interpreted subjectively, but i'd like your opinion.

Firstly, Jews are not to judge other Jews. Only G-d Himself is to judge.

That being said, the Torah, and specifically the mystical tradition of Kabbalah/Chassidus teach that every Jew is inherently good. If you could look into our "kishkes" - insides, in our soul, you would see that we inately want to do what is right, what HaShem wants.

Even on a more external level, it is said that every Jew is filled with Mitzvahs, like a Pomegranate is filled with seeds. We are constantly doing good, fulfilling G-d's Will consciously or not.

Going to shul etc. is all good, but there are those who do so and are not fulfilling their role in G-d's greater plan. They could be better. Along with those who do very little their entire life, but at one-moment fulfill the purpose of their entire existance. It is just up to us not to wait for this but to "chap arein" - take advantage and seize the moment to strive to be better Jews.

With this in mind, we should constantly be striving to become better, self-actualized Jewish people and simultaneously helping others to attain this as well. Adding Mitzvos, observances, customs, learning more Torah, doing acts of goodness and kindness and contributing to the greater good.

When people ask me point bland "What is a good Jew?", I am wont to answer - one who is better today than yesterday or at least strives to be better.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarification. Hatzlocha - Success in all of your endeavors!!

[ActionAndy]

What's Jewish Hell like? Catholic hell is pretty serious...

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ActionAndy

What's Jewish Hell like? Catholic hell is pretty serious...

There is no such thing as "hell" in Judaism.

The concept where "hell" might have been derived from is the existance of "Gehinom".

Gehinom is where the soul goes after it leaves the body in order to clease it from any negativity attached to it through misdeeds etc. It's kinda like a spiritual washing machine. necessary, painful, but leaves you feeling oh, so good. The truly righteous can supercede this refinement, and "worst of the worst" can remain there for only as long as 11 months. After this sort of "purgatory"(I use the term loosely) the soul ascends to Gan Eden where it basks in the light of the G-d's Torah on what ever level the soul can receive it.

Judaism in inherently different from other religions, in this regard, among others. The purpose is not to go to Heaven (or Hell), but rather the focal point of Torah is to make THIS WORLD better, and a dwelling place for G-d.

[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

[Tio Gato]

Wow Rabbi, as a "Bad Catholic" I really hope there is no hell. Maybe there's hope for me after all.

[csbrewfisher]

Where can I buy kosher ham?

The most important question of all...

Is it okay to have sex on the Sabbath?

Is it REALLY considered "work"???......

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by tobii3

The most important question of all...

Is it okay to have sex on the Sabbath?

Is it REALLY considered "work"???......

It is not only okay, but Friday night is considered an auspicious time. It is said that Talmidei Chochmim - "Sages" or "Great Rabbi's" preferred this time on Shabbos to all others. This also according to Kabbalah - Jewish Mysticism.

So no, it is NOT considered work.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by csbrewfisher

Where can I buy kosher ham?

Whole Foods and most health food stores carry Tofu or TVP based ham flavored products that may or may not be kosher.

[kelmac07]

Why do jewish men wear a yamika to dignify their manhood?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Why do jewish men wear a yamika to dignify their manhood?

It has nothing to do with "manhood".

The word Yarmulke is actually a conjunction of two words in hebrew and aramaic "Yirei" and "Malka" - which mean "Awe" and "King" respectively, so wearing a Yarmulke is to keep us aware of G-d.

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?

[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.

[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?

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by ade06

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

Yes, I do.

There is/was a concept called a "dybbuk" in certain Jewish literature and mystical texts. This might or might not be the equivalent of what is commonly referred to as ghosts.

Do souls sometimes stick around? Yes. Is in the conventional way of a "ghost"? Kinda, Sorta, Maybe. Mystical Judaism is rife with even much more mind-blowing concepts than "ghosts". I guess, define "ghost"...

[TomHagen]

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 brotha.

The discovery of ETs would pose no more of a threat to Judaism than would the discovery of a new species of rabbit.

It would be limiting G-d's power to say that He could not have placed life on other planets. In fact, there is a reference in the biblical Book of Judges (53) to an inhabited place called Maroz, which the Talmud identifies as a star.

But Jewish thought has always believed that the most weird and wonderful creatures are to be found right here on earth. We can explore the remotest extremities of space but still remain alien to our own humanity. The real secrets of the universe lie hidden in the depths of the human soul.

[smokin5]

I'm surprised noone has asked this yet, so I'll pose it:

Is there a brucha (blessing or "grace" for those who don't know) you say before lighting a cigar? What is it?

And do I really have to smoke 8 cigars on the last night of Hanukkah?

[ActionAndy]

Originally Posted by TomHagen

Thanks brotha.

The discovery of ETs would pose no more of a threat to Judaism than would the discovery of a new species of rabbit.

It would be limiting G-d's power to say that He could not have placed life on other planets. In fact, there is a reference in the biblical Book of Judges (53) to an inhabited place called Maroz, which the Talmud identifies as a star.

But Jewish thought has always believed that the most weird and wonderful creatures are to be found right here on earth. We can explore the remotest extremities of space but still remain alien to our own humanity. The real secrets of the universe lie hidden in the depths of the human soul.

I looked into this and not only is this Maroz place inhabited, but its people are cursed. That's pretty neat.

[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?