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Hey you all, I'm glad to see this thread has turned into a productive discussion, which is in sharp contrast to the rantings and ravings with which I started this thread. I'm not really sure what came over me when I created the first post. I guess I've been in a kind of rut lately, but for...

We are finally here. After a wait that has lasted millennia, the world as we know it is about to change forever. All the necessary pieces are in play. The Jews have returned to their homeland. G.D's eternal promise has been fulfilled. The righteous, once as numerous as stars in the sky...

Hello All, It has been a long time since I've posted here, but this discussion is interesting and I thought I'd jump in. According to the Jewish Tradition, G.D cannot be fragmented. He is a perfect Oneness devoid of seperation absolutely. Therefore, any concept of G.D that includes...

I feel that paradoxes are beautiful puzzles begging to be solved. In the Torah, paradoxes do exist. Most paradoxes are just unwieldy children desiring of a firm hand and a wise mind to straighten their ways. Witness, for example, the paradox of the red heffer. Here G-d creates a seemingly...

wait...wait...wait. I DO follow all of the 10 commandments. In fact, I answered innocent to all of the questions and it still assumed I was guilty. Perhaps they should make a test that actually evaluates whether or not your going to heaven and doesn't just assume.

I was reading through a thread about Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and there was talk of J.C.. Someone mentioned his immaculate conception. First off I am curious, is immaculate conception a universal Christian belief or one relegated solely to Catholics? In addition, what are the...

It certainly sounds like these passages might be in reference to a passover seder. Since the destruction of the second temple, we no longer have sacrifices of the pascal lamb. We do still eat unleavened bread, and there is still the seder feast. However, I am not familiar with how to read the...

I should have clarified this earlier. Reading all the Sabbath rules on paper does indeed make it seem impossible. However, its a bit like reading the rules for a complex boardgame. The Sabbath is something that has to be experienced to be understood. It is really not difficult at all, if you...

heh yea, sometimes I forget that Ann Arbor isn't the center of the universe. Michigan it is.

Okay, I was getting ready to summarize, and then I found this: http://www.ou.org/publications/kaplan/shabbat/default.htm I STRONGLY encourage anyone who is at all curious about shabbat to read through this entire book. The 39 melachot are the actual 39 prohibitions. Anyway, let me know...

First off, sorry if I offended anyone, this topic was not meant to be confrontational. I had forgotten for a moment that a large portion of the world's jewery does not have any exposure to orthodoxy, and another large segment has had bad experiences. I agree that we should all embrace one...

Ahh what an interesting thread. I myself have often wondered this question, usually while observing the sabbath myself. First for some clarification. How the Jews have observed the sabbath has been kind of a mystery to non-Jews over the centuries, and hopefully I can clarify. The...

The article is a little bit complex. Essentially, the reason that the flower can survive the harsh desert conditions in Israel is because its cells are shaped like little stars of David. In the picture, notice you can trace two large overlapped and horizontally flipped triangles which make the 6...

I was laying in bed trying to sleep, while simultaneously pondering the significance of this symbol. Why would G-d reveal such a carefully hidden Magen David? Well, between you all and me, I think this symbol is hinting at the Messiah. After all the scion of David is much like this flower...

A friend sent me this link: http://www.jewishcommunities.org/content_display.html?ArticleID=146965 The title of this thread pretty much sums up my own thoughts on this article. Anyone have any other thoughts?

It has been said that there is a threat to Judaism today greater then there has ever been in the past. This is a threat greater than Pharoah, greater than Amalek, greater than Hamen, greater than the inquisition, greater even than Hitler. If this threat is allowed to continue unchecked, Judaism...

Ask away bandit! I have no problem answering any questions that I can, or seeking answers to those questions I cannot. On to your specific questions. 1) It is a belief that the Messiah will restore the temple. This is a very tricky issue, especially because the dome of the rock now...

Excellent question. I should say as a preface that I have a great respect for Islam. In many ways the Jews and the Muslims are cousins. I can only hope that with time peace will exist between our nations. With that being said, there are a number of reasons why Muhammed is not considered...

Haha! Perhaps I have mislead you regarding my expertise. I pray alternatively at Chabad temples and Orthodox temples. That is the extent of my affiliation with Chabad. I love the Chassidics I have met there, but I have yet to delve into Tanya. If I remember though, I will take this quote...

Thank you for your reply! As to the point of 5000 years, this might be something specific to the Tibetan canon. The Japanese and Chinese Buddhist schools believed fervently that they were already in the age of the death of the dharma, this is why pure land buddhism arises. I have consulted my...