Any Gentiles interested in Judaism (not "Messianic Xian

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Hello people,

I just wanted to create this rather random topic addressing anyone that ISN'T Jewish that has an interest in the religion of Judaism.

Please, let me hear your thoughts; it would be nice to hear stories of how you became interested in Judaism, and what you are interested in particular.

Many thanks in advance.

KnarlyDUDE09

I had a Jewish girlfriend at one time.

Ok.

How are ultra-Orthodox Jews viewed by other Jews?

The term ultra-Orthodox is mostly used by the media. They call themselves Ḥaredi.

In Israel and in much of the rest of the world, there has been some degree of conflict between Ḥaredi Jews and Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, etc. Jews. However, the various Ḥaredi groups often do not agree with each other (especially on the issue of Israel).

That's a very interesting question-topic.
...then I suppose you've heard of Neturei Karta and the rulings of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel on conversions and Liberal rabbis wages?

Ok...was there something that interested you about Judaism in particular?

Neturei Karta...Jews opposed to Zionism and the state of Israel?

I read about them for a comparative religions class I took a few years ago.

My professor was a Christian who came from a Haredi family. He converted from Judaism to Christianity.

I am a Christian, but am interested in Judaism from an academic standpoint. My biggest question about it would be it's view on salvation. From what I have heard, Jews do not believe in an afterlife. I have always wondered if this was true. If it is false, what is the Jewish concept of salvation and how is it attained? Also, if it is false, what is the purpose of living a life that follows the Law closely if there is nothing after this life?

I'm not Jewish, but I can answer some of these questions for you to the best of my own knowledge- (Orthodox Judaism is one of my special interests).First of all, you've confused the concept of 'Sheol' (or 'abode of the dead'); this is place where all dead people go to. 'Sheol' is said to be a place where the dead carry on their existence, away from both G-d and mankind. Secondly, most Jews do believe in the afterlife. Most Jew's refer to this as "the World to Come" or in Hebrew, "Olam-Ha-Ba". Unlike Christianity, Jews don't tend to base their faith and life on the afterlife, most Jews focus on the present; religious Jews try to fulfill many 'mitzvot' (or 'good deeds') to ultimately make the world a better place, by somehow repairing the world or 'tikkum olam'. Judaism teaches that only the righteous go straight to 'Gan Eden' (or 'heaven'), and that the not so righteous people go to 'Gehenna' (a purgatory-like state- sometimes referred to as 'hell'), to purify their souls and atone for their sins, in order to reach heaven. Also, Jews teach that one that isn't Jewish and is a righteous person (one who follows 'Sheva Mitzvot Bnei' Noach' or 'The 7 Noahide laws', will also have a share in the World to Come.The Jewish concept of salvation is more like as mentioned before, 'atonement' of sins and an act of redeeming oneself. Unlike Christianity, Jews do not believe that another being has to "come to their rescue" and "save them"; Judaism teaches that a person is the one that is in control of their life, and that they are responsible for atoning themselves. A way in which most Jews do so is through repentance on 'Yom Kippur' (or 'the Day of Atonement) and as mentioned before, fulfilling 'mitzvot'.Well, we've already established that Jews believe in life after death, so there is a point in following the Law; righteous people go to heaven.

She and her family did give me an inside look at Jewish culture that I otherwise would not have had.

Family members maintain very close ties to one another. Mothers/wives take a great deal of pleasure in henpecking.

I'm attracted to the religion for many reasons i.e. the rituals, the beliefs and it's sense of community.

I think that converting to Judaism would be a lot more involved than converting to Islam or Christianity.

Why would any reasonable person convert to Judaism?

It is much easier to keep the 7 Noachide laws. You don't even have to pray.

ruveyn

Not every person is reasonable.

There are some people who do become quite seriously interested in religion.

I know...they're the bare minimum. Plus, they're not spiritually fulfilling at all- one might as well be an Atheist if they are a Bnei' Noach.

Last edited by KnarlyDUDE09 on 22 Jul 2012, 9:36 am, edited 2 times in total.

Converting to any missionary religion is going to be less involved than converting to a non-missionary one.