In advance I apologize profusely, if anything I say comes across offensive to anyone. Please know it is not my intent. I am inquiring, because I have a sincere desire to know. Still, if you are upset, there is no excuse, and I am sorry, but please educate me if I do cause upset.

I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood and have the highest respect, admiration and love for Jewish people. There were only 3 Catholic families on the block and the rest of the families were Jewish. The harmony was priceless.

Still, I know very little about the Jewish faith other then Jewish people seemed to be most reverent. My mom felt it disrespectful to ask questions of the my neighbors about their faith as she felt it was too personal. I do remember wanting to inside the synagogue up my street, but if memory serves me correctly, it was a Saturday and I wasn't allowed in. Could that be right? I could be wrong, it is a faint memory.

My main reason for this post is, it seems with some Christians, not all, but some, they become very animated and vocal to the point of pushy and even harsh, where it becomes difficult to see God's love. I have not dealt with any on here recently, so please don't think I am referring to anyone in particular.

But this type of behavior is not seen, at least by me, of those in the Jewish faith. Through my view, they come across, respectful, reverent, caring and with deep strong believes. This is a huge credit to the Jewish community and it is one I greatly admire about them, along with many great qualities they possess.

Why the difference and how does the Jewish community accomplish this? What is the teaching for spreading God's word?

Thank you.

Wow... good question, AH...

Deserves a "reawakening" on the board, in my opinion.

I'm interested, too!

Part of this is that Jews look on themselves as the "chosen people". Chosen by God so they do not have the same evangelical urges that christian sects have. In fact, Jews generally discourage conversion and make it rather difficult to do.

Anyone should be wlecomed in a Synagogue, except maybe for high holy days which often require a ticket to ensure a seat.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

Part of this is that Jews look on themselves as the "chosen people". Chosen by God so they do not have the same evangelical urges that christian sects have. In fact, Jews generally discourage conversion and make it rather difficult to do.

Anyone should be wlecomed in a Synagogue, except maybe for high holy days which often require a ticket to ensure a seat.

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Scott that is amazingly interesting. So to convert to the Jewish faith would be difficult?
This all makes sense now and is in line with the reverence applied to the faith. I have even greater respect now.

The visit to the synagogue, is a childhood memory so I could have it confused and may very well have been a high holy day.

Scott, thanks so much for sharing.

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Originally Posted by Allheart

Scott that is amazingly interesting. So to convert to the Jewish faith would be difficult?
This all makes sense now and is in line with the reverence applied to the faith. I have even greater respect now.

The visit to the synagogue, is a childhood memory so I could have it confused and may very well have been a high holy day.

Scott, thanks so much for sharing.

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Yea it's really hard, to convert. It's a pretty long process, first you talk with the Rabbi, then you take classes and learn everything you can about the religon, and then if you're still really dedicated to converting you go in front of the Beit Din (hope I spelled that right?? ) who ask you questions and stuff like that, and then once they say your ready, you go through a mikva which is almost like a baptism but obviously isn't. And I think that's about it (... feel free to correct me anyone, if I'm wrong.)

I know what you mean by some christians being pushy. I remember going to my grandmothers church when I was younger and someone was talking about a Jewish boy who had attended the previous week and someone said that, "I think they're finally getting it." I was kind of enraged, but obviously couldn't say anything. The same grandmother and I get in debates constantly about this kind of stuff. My ideas to put it simply kind of conflict with hers, and I hate to say it but she is one of those Bible pushing christians. I can't stand it!

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Originally Posted by Gernald

Yea it's really hard, to convert. It's a pretty long process, first you talk with the Rabbi, then you take classes and learn everything you can about the religon, and then if you're still really dedicated to converting you go in front of the Beit Din (hope I spelled that right???) who ask you questions and stuff like that, and then once they say your ready, you go through a mikva which is almost like a baptism but obviously isn't. And I think that's about it (...feel free to correct me anyone, if I'm wrong.)

I know what you mean by some christians being pushy. I remember going to my grandmothers church when I was younger and someone was talking about a Jewish boy who had attended the previous week and someone said that, "I think they're finally getting it." I was kind of enraged, but obviously couldn't say anything. The same grandmother and I get in debates constantly about this kind of stuff. My ideas to put it simply kind of conflict with hers, and I hate to say it but she is one of those Bible pushing christians. I can't stand it!

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What did the person mean, "I think they are finally getting it?" Sorry, I'm not always the most quick.

Redemption is the most significant difference (from sin through Jesus sacrifice) between Christianity and Judaism and some people get a little excited when attempting to spread that message. For the Jew there has been no redemption…no exciting message.

No, DC that is not what I see. I see a security in belief that is deeper then I can imagine.
A strong sense of belief, so much so, it doesn't require convincing.

Does that make sense? That's what I see.

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Originally Posted by Allheart

What did the person mean, "I think they are finally getting it?" Sorry, I'm not always the quickest.

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They meant about Jesus. That Jews after all these years were finally getting that Jesus was the savior. The poor kid, I can only imagine what they said to him. (The funny part was that he was only their because he had spent the night with a friend who went to the church).

What you are experiencing when you say, “see a security in belief that is deeper then I can imagine.” is a subjective feeling you have.

What I wrote is an objective conclusion. If what you are wondering is whether Judaism is a deeper faith than Christianity I don't believe there is an objective answer to that. No one can know the mind of another and therefore can only judge with a subjective conclusion.

I would recommend everyone to visit a Synagogue. They are lovely places and the people very nice. And within Christianity, if you want a level of respectful and reverent also visit a Eastern Orthodox Church, it is amazing.

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

I would recommend everyone to visit a Synagogue. They are lovely places and the people very nice. And within Christianity, if you want a level of respectful and reverent also visit a Eastern Orthodox Church, it is amazing.

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I just knew it would be Fr. Chuck. There is a beauty about their reverence that I just can not describe. I respect it and admire it immensley.

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Originally Posted by Dark_crow

Redemption is the most significant difference (from sin through Jesus sacrifice) between Christianity and Judaism and some people get a little excited when attempting to spread that message. For the Jew there has been no redemption…no exciting message.

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That's because redemption is not needed. The overall belief is to be a good person (follow the laws in the Torah, a bunch are also in Dueteromity in the Bible) and to love truly and respect your G-d. The exciting message is that, there is a G-d and he loves everyone even if we don't always realize it.

I think a big difference that your not looking at too is the differences in belief in the afterlife. Christians think that you have to be saved to go to what they call heaven, Jews are more concerned with the here and now. Life is more important than death, I think one of the books in the Torah or Talmund says, "life should be preserved." That and that Jews are basically allowed to make their own assumptions about death and the afterlife is a big difference.

You make good points Gernald

Edit: but what of the messiah in the Book of Isaiah, has that been done away?

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Originally Posted by Gernald

That's because redemption is not needed. The overall beleif is to be a good person (follow the laws in the Torah, a bunch are also in Dueteromity in the Bible) and to love truly and respect your G-d. The exciting message is that, there is a G-d and he loves everyone even if we don't always realize it.

I think a big difference that your not looking at too is the differences in beleif in the afterlife. Christians think that you have to be saved to go to what they call heaven, Jews are more concerned with the here and now. Life is more important than death, I think one of the books in the Torah or Talmund says, "life should be preserved." That and that Jews are basically allowed to make their own assumptions about death and the afterlife is a big difference.

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Sounds so peaceful and loving without judgement. Every Jewish person I have ever met has been so loving, caring and kind. Do you think that stems from the faith?

And why is it difficult to convert? ( I actually think it should be, it is something very serious and precious)

The afterlife - so there are a variety of beliefs?

Also, when a Jewish person dies, they are buried very quickly. Is there a religious significance?

( I hope you know I ask these questions out of the deepest respect and stop me when I have asked something I should not.)

Thanks you.

First off I should probably say I'm not Jewish (yet) so don't get the wrong idea here.

Sorry Dark Crow I haven't gotten that far in the Bible, But I think that not all of the proficies have been made for a Messiah to be present.

It's difficult to convert for several reasons. First off religon is sacred, you don't want someone to ruin it for you. I think it's like if someone makes fun of an old blanket that you sleep with and then takes it and tear it up, it wouldn't be the same afterwords some how you wouldn't love it as much. Second if someone really isn't serious about converting, it's kind of nice to know before you convert. I mean you have to really want it, because once you're a Jew your always a Jew.

Yes the burial is significant. Watch this video here to understand this big topic. YouTube - Jewish Funeral Practices 101 JewU 9
Hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by Gernald

First off I should probably say I'm not Jewish (yet) so don't get the wrong idea here.

Sorry Dark Crow I haven't gotten that far in the Bible, But I think that not all of the proficies have been made for a Messiah to be present.

It's difficult to convert for several reasons. First off religon is sacred, you don't want someone to ruin it for you. I think it's like if someone makes fun of an old blanket that you sleep with and then takes it and tear it up, it wouldn't be the same afterwords some how you wouldn't love it as much. Second if someone really isn't serious about converting, it's kind of nice to know before you convert. I mean you have to really want it, because once your a Jew your always a Jew.

Yes the burial is significant. Watch this video here to understand this big topic. YouTube - Jewish Funeral Practices 101 JewU 9
hope that helps.

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That was incredibly enlightening. Thank you so very much for sharing. I had no idea they did not embomb. There beleifs make perfect sense and have the highest form of respect and reverence.

Very easy to understand.

Gernald, I wish you much success if becoming Jewish is what you are pursing. I can understand why.

“Instead of bringing about the onset of redemption, messiah will herald its completion. The actual work of redeeming the world is turned to us in history, and is done by all of us, day by day. Messiah has been waiting in the wings, as it were, since the very beginning of history, ready to come forth when the time is right. According to one legend, he sits among the lepers at the gates of Rome--today we would be likely to find him in an AIDS hospice--tending to their wounds. Only when redemption is about to be completed will messiah be allowed to arrive. Rather than messiah redeeming us, we redeem messiah.”
--Rabbi Arthur Green, Seek My Face, Speak My Name

There is no such thing as converting to Judaism except relative to another religion, than there is converting to Christianity or Islam. For instance there is Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Reconstructionist Judaism…pardon me if I missed one.

I have friends that were Catholic and converted to Reform Judaism about 10 years ago…he laughingly tells me the growing of the full beard was the most difficult thing he had to do. I expect he is only kidding.

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Originally Posted by Dark_crow

“Instead of bringing about the onset of redemption, messiah will herald its completion. The actual work of redeeming the world is turned to us in history, and is done by all of us, day by day. Messiah has been waiting in the wings, as it were, since the very beginning of history, ready to come forth when the time is right. According to one legend, he sits among the lepers at the gates of Rome--today we would be likely to find him in an AIDS hospice--tending to their wounds. Only when redemption is about to be completed will messiah be allowed to arrive. Rather than messiah redeeming us, we redeem messiah.”
--Rabbi Arthur Green, Seek My Face, Speak My Name

There is no such thing as converting to Judaism except relative to another religion, than there is converting to Christianity or Islam. For instance there is Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Reconstructionist Judaism…pardon me if I missed one.

I have friends that were Catholic and converted to Reform Judaism about 10 years ago…he laughingly tells me the growing of the full beard was the most difficult thing he had to do. I expect he is only kidding.

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DC - I like your aviator - what does it represent?

Reform Judaism? I didn't know there was so many. I thought there was only two.
I would imagine the long beard would be hard to get used to. What is the signifacance of that?

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Originally Posted by Allheart

DC - I like your aviator - what does it represent?

Reform Judaism? I didn't know there was so many. I thought there was only two.
I would imagine the long beard would be hard to get used to. What is the signifacance of that?

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Looks like the shield from the crusades, is that it? It is kind of cool.


DC that makes sense. I think though after that, the word redemption should probably be redefined. :)
Your friend was probably right, for him it was easy because he wanted it. If you don't truly want it it's hard.

Yea, there's orthodox, Hasidic, Reform, and Conform. All different but the same.