An overwhelming majority of Jews identify themselves as Democrats. There’s no doubt the number of classified independents who vote Democratic outweighs the Jewish voters with a Democrat classification who vote either Republican or Independent.
Why does this matter? It doesn’t but it goes to show how ignorant guys like SexMachine can be.
[quote]DrSkeptix wrote:
[quote]Brother Chris wrote:
[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]JEATON wrote:
Thank you so much for this explanation and clarification…Just know that this vantage point helps me greatly. [/quote]
Glad to be of service. The Torah is a tricky and powerful thing.
Diving in without help and friends can quite literally drive a person mad or into serious heresy.
I think the internet has made it worse. There are lots of loud madmen with soapboxes and too much information without human interaction.[/quote]
Any good Talmud’s that I would be able to read?
Sorry if this has already been answered.[/quote]
Pirke Avot (The Ethics of the Fathers) is the most accessible to western readers.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=pirkei+avot+ethics+of+the+fathers&sprefix=pirke%2Cstripbooks%2C525
But it does not display the brilliance of the core of Talmud.
Try this:
http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/121531/the-pretenders
Adam Kirsch is writing a weekly condensation of his reading. This particular article addresses obliquely some of Double Duce’s thoughts as well.
(Follow the links; the Talmud itself was the first example of published hypertext.)[/quote]
I am not a native English speaker, so I have never relied on an English translation.
I defer to these choices.
Sorry to be useless on that.
[quote]DrSkeptix wrote:
[quote]VTBalla34 wrote:
I’ve got a good one: What’s the deal with this?[/quote]
A Kohen (a descendent of the priests of Aaron’s lineage) are forbidden to enter the “space” of a cemetery.
But a “tent,” even a moving “tent” creates a space which cannot become impure by contact with the dead, even in a public space at a distance.
So…a giant Glad Bag protects this overly punctilious gentleman from imagined ritual impurity, even 35,000 feet above a cemetery. (More likely, on take-off and landings of less than 50 cubits…)
Now, then, the real question is, why is not an airplane of aluminum alloy also a “moving tent” which protects against ritual impurity? That debate will take a few decades…
[/quote]
This is correct.
As a Kohen myself (and an Israeli and Haredi), I find this tradition absurd and an example of why we need a proper Sanhedrin to update things.
In an old enough place (like, say, Israel) basically everywhere is close enough to a cemetary. They discovered a 2,500 year old Jewish cemetary smack under the greenhouses where I worked as a kid when they put in the sewer pipe.
The guy doing it probably knows it’s stupid, but is serving his stint as the active Kohen in a shul and there is some old lady who is the Jewish version of the “Church Lady” from Saturday Night Live and this makes her feel better, so he does this to make the witch be quiet.
[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:
My wife and I have started having what we call an “Amish day”. No TV, no electric lights, no electronic entertainment, no coffee maker, ect. (we still are using our electronic stove to cook). I know many orthodox Jews do something similar. [/quote]
Well, there are actually religious prescritions AGAINST non-Jewish people having a true Sabbath on Shabbos. (The Sabbath is a gift to the Jewish people for all the extra stuff we do — or rahter, we are supposed to do.) So flick on a light or something.
But an Amish Day or some sort of “Reform Sabbath” for non-Jewish people is good. Looking at the source text, here are the “headline” categories of things you shouldn’t do on the Sabbath. When reading them, keep in mind they were written for a Bronze Age, largely agrarian society:
Let’s start with things that are “to do”:
Zakhor: To Remember — Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Contemplate Creation, contemplate freedom from slavery, G-d’s gifts to you and the world
What you don’t do is “melachah” — which is translated as “work” but is not exactly “work” — it means “work that is creative, or that exercises control or dominion over your environment.”
The rabbis put together a list a long time ago. When reading them, keep in mind they were written for a Bronze/Iron Age, largely agrarian society:
1.Sowing
2.Plowing
3.Reaping
4.Binding sheaves
5.Threshing
6.Winnowing
7.Selecting
8.Grinding
9.Sifting
10.Kneading
11.Baking
12.Shearing wool
13.Washing wool
14.Beating wool
15.Dyeing wool
16.Spinning
17.Weaving
18.Making two loops
19.Weaving two threads
20.Separating two threads
21.Tying
22.Untying
23.Sewing two stitches
24.Tearing
25.Trapping
26.Slaughtering
27.Flaying
28.Salting meat
29.Curing hide
30.Scraping hide
31.Cutting hide up
32.Writing two letters
33.Erasing two letters
34.Building
35.Tearing a building down
36.Extinguishing a fire
37.Kindling a fire
38.Hitting with a hammer
39.Taking an object from the private domain to the public, or transporting an object in the public domain.
It’s not exactly germane to modern life, huh? But just don’t do your normal job or projects. It’s not a “honey do” day. It’s time to be free of the mudane, and also a time to be free from creating new. (It’s also time to free your wife from wifely duties, so step up.)
It depends on where we are (and when services are — sometimes evening and sometimes morning, just depends). I’ll give my favorite set up.
I leave work early on Friday. My wife will have prepared some sort of slow-cooker meal, a roast or somesuch. I pick up a nice bottle or two (or four) of Cabernet.
She will also have prepared some Challah (really good bread).
Before sundown, there is a ritual involving candles. My wife, or back in the day, one of my older daughters lights the candles and says the prayers, maybe have a snack and a glass of wine.
We walk to shul. There is often a quick (as in 30 minute or so) service, then back to the house for dinner
We then eat and drink a bit too much. Kids attend and play. Usually some family or a straggler from shul comes over (e.g., someone traveling with no place to go for Shabbat dinner).
We eat, drink, and are merry. No TV, no nothing. (My dad had a hand-cranked record player that we would use for background music – not sure if kosher or not, but we did it.)
We blearily study to Torah/HalfTorah portion for the next day. Sometimes, if we have a guest, we do this as we drink the wine and before we eat, and that is the topic of conversation, at least in part. (If the Rabbi comes for dinner, I’ve read it for the week and actually know what I am talking about.)
Prayer after meal, then bed.
Pre-set coffee pot goes off about 7:30. Eat something easy. Clean up and walk to shul, get there at 9:00 or so.
Pretty long service, ends around 11:30
There is generally a pot-luck lunch at the shul that had been set in motion by (typically) the widows/older ladies. Kids play on the playground, etc.
Optional classes.
(The wife and I go home and have sex while the kids are at classes. This is not an official event of Shabbos, but happens when you are a busy lawyer and the wife is a busy doctor and the kids are up your ass 99% of the time. That said, it’s a running joke in the Orthodox community that afternoon classes can never be canceled for this reason.)
Walk back, get the kids, and do afternoon stuff. Board games, read a book, whatever. (Perhaps send the kids over the neighbor so we can have sex again without them pounding on the door.) I frequently hit the deadlift rack in the basement with Mrs. Jewbacca. (Some say you are not supposed to work out on the Sabbath, but I disagree.) (Oh, and then we have sex again.)
Have a snack of some kind.
There’s a prayer at the end of the Sabbath at the home.
We then go have date night at the Country Club or maybe take the kids, just depends on babysitter/family arrangement.
This is a whole other topic, but basically, it’s to set your mind right. I’ll get a link that will explain it later, but have a meeting.
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
An overwhelming majority of Jews identify themselves as Democrats. There’s no doubt the number of classified independents who vote Democratic outweighs the Jewish voters with a Democrat classification who vote either Republican or Independent.
Why does this matter? It doesn’t but it goes to show how ignorant guys like SexMachine can be. [/quote]
I am well aware most American Jews are Democrats and have said so myself. Not sure what this has to do with my ‘ignorance.’ Coming from you that’s a compliment anyhow. You’re an intellectual featherweight.
Two questions, one is childish and can be ignored if you wish.
(I’m sure I could google that, but you know how it is…)
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[/quote]
Never been to a Christian wedding (or in a Christian church, well, except to vote and that is the annex), so I can’t compare.
Suit, buy your own kippah before hand, match your tie, or you get a nasty bencher. You are in Boston, so there are Judaica stores everywhere. Go buy a black, white, and a blue one. Plain. Cost is like $3 each.
Navy blue suit is good, black is perhaps better, darker die. Have your kippa match your tie and don’t shave for a week or so (trim down to like a #2 with an electric razor) to look more native.
Wife is a bit harder. COVER SHOULDERS and DRESS BELOW THE KNEES, no slit, no clevage (e.g., cover collar bones and up to neck. No exposed back. Neck can certainly be exposed. Sheer fabric still showing her boobs doesn’t count, either. Must wear pantyhose or the like. No pants. (Nothing says “shiksa” like pants.) Best to cover down to the elbows. No flashy colors (so blue, gray, black, white, whatever — not yellow, red, etc). Fine to be tight.
Since she is married, she should cover her hair if this an Orthodox wedding. You will know this if the invitation says “Guests are Requested to Dress Modestly.” A hat or beret works great. Copy the Duchess of York on this one. If she won’t wear a hat, a prominent headband will work (it will looks like she’s wearing a Sheitel – a wig.)
++++++
Your wife should not offer to shake a man’s hand or hug the groom ---- same for you, in reverse.
Keep your PDA to a minimum at first.
If this is, indeed, an Orthodox ceremony, you and your wife will get split up during the ceremony (men on one side, women the other). I suspect thiss is not the case.
++++++
Are there two times listed on the invitation? This will help me, as well. As there are stages to the wedding.
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
Two questions, one is childish and can be ignored if you wish.
(I’m sure I could google that, but you know how it is…)
[/quote]
Hey, you’re an accounant…try to figure all this out:
[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[/quote]
Never been to a Christian wedding (or in a Christian church, well, except to vote and that is the annex), so I can’t compare.
Suit, buy your own kippah before hand, match your tie, or you get a nasty bencher. You are in Boston, so there are Judaica stores everywhere. Go buy a black, white, and a blue one. Plain. Cost is like $3 each.
Navy blue suit is good, black is perhaps better, darker die. Have your kippa match your tie and don’t shave for a week or so (trim down to like a #2 with an electric razor) to look more native.
Wife is a bit harder. COVER SHOULDERS and DRESS BELOW THE KNEES, no slit, no clevage (e.g., cover collar bones and up to neck. No exposed back. Neck can certainly be exposed. Sheer fabric still showing her boobs doesn’t count, either. Must wear pantyhose or the like. No pants. (Nothing says “shiksa” like pants.) Best to cover down to the elbows. No flashy colors (so blue, gray, black, white, whatever — not yellow, red, etc). Fine to be tight.
Since she is married, she should cover her hair if this an Orthodox wedding. You will know this if the invitation says “Guests are Requested to Dress Modestly.” A hat or beret works great. Copy the Duchess of York on this one. If she won’t wear a hat, a prominent headband will work (it will looks like she’s wearing a Sheitel – a wig.)
++++++
Your wife should not offer to shake a man’s hand or hug the groom ---- same for you, in reverse.
Keep your PDA to a minimum at first.
If this is, indeed, an Orthodox ceremony, you and your wife will get split up during the ceremony (men on one side, women the other). I suspect thiss is not the case.
++++++
Are there two times listed on the invitation? This will help me, as well. As there are stages to the wedding.[/quote]
Oh man… We only got the save-the-date so far. Let me ask some questions and I’ll get back to you.
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[/quote]
Never been to a Christian wedding (or in a Christian church, well, except to vote and that is the annex), so I can’t compare.
Suit, buy your own kippah before hand, match your tie, or you get a nasty bencher. You are in Boston, so there are Judaica stores everywhere. Go buy a black, white, and a blue one. Plain. Cost is like $3 each.
Navy blue suit is good, black is perhaps better, darker die. Have your kippa match your tie and don’t shave for a week or so (trim down to like a #2 with an electric razor) to look more native.
Wife is a bit harder. COVER SHOULDERS and DRESS BELOW THE KNEES, no slit, no clevage (e.g., cover collar bones and up to neck. No exposed back. Neck can certainly be exposed. Sheer fabric still showing her boobs doesn’t count, either. Must wear pantyhose or the like. No pants. (Nothing says “shiksa” like pants.) Best to cover down to the elbows. No flashy colors (so blue, gray, black, white, whatever — not yellow, red, etc). Fine to be tight.
Since she is married, she should cover her hair if this an Orthodox wedding. You will know this if the invitation says “Guests are Requested to Dress Modestly.” A hat or beret works great. Copy the Duchess of York on this one. If she won’t wear a hat, a prominent headband will work (it will looks like she’s wearing a Sheitel – a wig.)
++++++
Your wife should not offer to shake a man’s hand or hug the groom ---- same for you, in reverse.
Keep your PDA to a minimum at first.
If this is, indeed, an Orthodox ceremony, you and your wife will get split up during the ceremony (men on one side, women the other). I suspect thiss is not the case.
++++++
Are there two times listed on the invitation? This will help me, as well. As there are stages to the wedding.[/quote]
Oh man… We only got the save-the-date so far. Let me ask some questions and I’ll get back to you.[/quote]
It’s not as hard as it reads. “Dress for royalty” is the approach – you are in a holy place on a sacred occassion. I’ve heard “dress for a funeral” too, but that’s not exactly right, in that you don’t want to look somber.
Of course, this could be a Reform wedding, so show up in shorts and smoke some pot.
Is it true you can not eat milk and meat at the same time? Why is that?
[quote]dmaddox wrote:
Is it true you can not eat milk and meat at the same time? Why is that?[/quote]
True. There are four categories of food: meat, milk, pareve (neutral), and treif (not sure of the English exact translation, but means roughly “forbidden” or “unclean” or some combo thereof.
It stems back from a section of Exodus that says “don’t cook a calf in mother’s milk” – so some obvious things like certain preparations of chicken-frie steak or breaded veal (assuming a milk batter) fall squarely under this.
There is a huge historical underpinning to this, in that it was the Canniite practice to do this, literally taking a new born child from his nursing mother, boil the child in the milk and eat the child as part of their worship of Baal or Moloch. (They also did it with animals, commonly a cow and calf, sheep/lamp, etc.)
The horror of the practice was the impetitus to not only follow the strict letter of the law, but to reject even accidental violation of this command, and so a strict ritualistic sepeartion of milk/meat — down to seperate dishes — has come about.
The Talmud and other authorities explore why people are horrified by the Cannite practice. It basically boils down to (pun intended) that it’s mixing life or creation (milk) with death in a manner designed to be insulting to the Creator.
I have some questions if you don’t mind, and I mean not to offend on any of them, just for genuine learning purposes. I take great enjoyment in studying all of the books - both Old and New Testament (for me) and am genuinely interested in discussing with anyone who has a great understanding.
Thanks!
[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]dmaddox wrote:
Is it true you can not eat milk and meat at the same time? Why is that?[/quote]
True. There are four categories of food: meat, milk, pareve (neutral), and treif (not sure of the English exact translation, but means roughly “forbidden” or “unclean” or some combo thereof.
It stems back from a section of Exodus that says “don’t cook a calf in mother’s milk” – so some obvious things like certain preparations of chicken-frie steak or breaded veal (assuming a milk batter) fall squarely under this.
There is a huge historical underpinning to this, in that it was the Canniite practice to do this, literally taking a new born child from his nursing mother, boil the child in the milk and eat the child as part of their worship of Baal or Moloch. (They also did it with animals, commonly a cow and calf, sheep/lamp, etc.)
The horror of the practice was the impetitus to not only follow the strict letter of the law, but to reject even accidental violation of this command, and so a strict ritualistic sepeartion of milk/meat — down to seperate dishes — has come about.
The Talmud and other authorities explore why people are horrified by the Cannite practice. It basically boils down to (pun intended) that it’s mixing life or creation (milk) with death in a manner designed to be insulting to the Creator.[/quote]
I knew the part in Exodus was in there, but did not know y’all took it to the extreme like that. Man you are missing out on some Chicken Fried Steak…Maybe some almond milk breading?
Thanks for your reply. Man Kosher is pretty limiting, but I understand the reasoning.
[quote]dmaddox wrote:
I knew the part in Exodus was in there, but did not know y’all took it to the extreme like that. Man you are missing out on some Chicken Fried Steak…Maybe some almond milk breading?
Thanks for your reply. Man Kosher is pretty limiting, but I understand the reasoning.[/quote]
It’s really not limiting. Yes, you have to think about it, but that’s the point.
Everything we do should be holy, even the mudane things like eating. Or perhaps ESPECIALLY the mudane things like eating.
The “rules” are just structure to make sure we think about G-d and seek to please Him and make the world a better place, bit by bit.
[quote]Quasi-Tech wrote:
I have some questions if you don’t mind, and I mean not to offend on any of them, just for genuine learning purposes. I take great enjoyment in studying all of the books - both Old and New Testament (for me) and am genuinely interested in discussing with anyone who has a great understanding.
Thanks![/quote]
That’s about a half-day to discuss. I’ll take them one or two at a time.
[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]dmaddox wrote:
I knew the part in Exodus was in there, but did not know y’all took it to the extreme like that. Man you are missing out on some Chicken Fried Steak…Maybe some almond milk breading?
Thanks for your reply. Man Kosher is pretty limiting, but I understand the reasoning.[/quote]
It’s really not limiting. Yes, you have to think about it, but that’s the point.
Everything we do should be holy, even the mudane things like eating. Or perhaps ESPECIALLY the mudane things like eating.
The “rules” are just structure to make sure we think about G-d and seek to please Him and make the world a better place, bit by bit.[/quote]
I see your point, and I do not deny it.
Jews and tattoos. The notion that Jews should not desecrate their bodies is stigma from the hollocaust or based on something from scripture? .
[quote]Waittz wrote:
Jews and tattoos. The notion that Jews should not desecrate their bodies is stigma from the hollocaust or based on something from scripture? .
[/quote]
Leviticus 19:28: â??You shall not etch a tattoo on yourselves.â??
http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9920/jewish/Chapter-19.htm
Applies to cutting, too, btw.
Has to do with: (1) body is not ours; (2) Cannanites and other crappy folk did tattoos/cutting as part of pagan worship (you can see this now in a lot of tattoos, which tend towards the pagan or related topics); (3) covenant of circumcision — other signs in oneâ??s body would weaken and cheapen this special sign
[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]Waittz wrote:
Jews and tattoos. The notion that Jews should not desecrate their bodies is stigma from the hollocaust or based on something from scripture? .
[/quote]
Leviticus 19:28: â??You shall not etch a tattoo on yourselves.â??
http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9920/jewish/Chapter-19.htm
Applies to cutting, too, btw.
Has to do with: (1) body is not ours; (2) Cannanites and other crappy folk did tattoos/cutting as part of pagan worship (you can see this now in a lot of tattoos, which tend towards the pagan or related topics); (3) covenant of circumcision — other signs in oneâ??s body would weaken and cheapen this special sign[/quote]
Where do you live these days?