ask a jew

[lostmyface]

so, i think alot of you goyim are confused as to what us jews actually believe in. so i am going to try an dispell some common mistakes an answer any questions you all have. i have been a jew my whole life. an while i have not always been a practicing jew, i feel that i am still more informed about this religion than most of totse.

so &t ask your questions an i will try an answer them to the best of my abilities.

[john_deer]

Why did your murder Jesus? Also, does your circumcised dick cause your scrotum to rise up the shaft, causing a hair to grow low on your shaft?


Sorry, but really what are the Jewish views on why Jesus was not the messiah?

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by john_deer

Why did your murder Jesus? Also, does your circumcised dick cause your scrotum to rise up the shaft, causing a hair to grow low on your shaft?


Sorry, but really what are the Jewish views on why Jesus was not the messiah?

the romans killed jesus, not us

the skin an hair rise cause as you grow older you dick gets bigger, but you are lacking skin now that you have been cut, so your body takes the skin from around your shaft a stretches it a bit.

the jews dont view christ as a messiah for one reason. if he really was the messiah then we would be in paradise right now. we are not in paradise, so obviously (to jews) christ was not the messiah. i think Christian feel that christ is coming back, an this time he will bring us to gods kingdom, now that is well an good, but us jews feel that if he was legit he would not have to come back, it would have already been done. plus he would not have been killed. i hope that answers your q. if it did not i can try an explain it better after i get back from class. but right now i am running late.

[yango wango]

To continue on that theme can you explain about the Jewish messiah? Also explain the deal with kosher food.

[ArmsMerchant]

OP, as you know, there are various Jewish sects. It would be helpful if you would identify yourself as Conservative, Reform, Orthodox, Hassidim, whatever--and explain the differences between them.

[Hare_Geist]

Originally Posted by lostmyface

the romans killed jesus, not us

The Romans killed Jesus to appease a mob of angry Jews who accused him of being a heretic and were baying for his blood...

[john_deer]

^^Yup
Also I was joking about the first 2 questions....Anyways, why are you guys so successful in Hollywood and America in general? (...Another fail excuse me.)

Originally Posted by lostmyface

the jews dont view christ as a messiah for one reason. if he really was the messiah then we would be in paradise right now. we are not in paradise, so obviously (to jews) christ was not the messiah. i think Christian feel that christ is coming back, an this time he will bring us to gods kingdom, now that is well an good, but us jews feel that if he was legit he would not have to come back, it would have already been done. plus he would not have been killed. i hope that answers your q. if it did not i can try an explain it better after i get back from class. but right now i am running late.

Can you source this from the Hebrew Scriptures or at least the Torah?

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by yango wango

To continue on that theme can you explain about the Jewish messiah? Also explain the deal with kosher food.

the jewish messiah means different things to different jews. something i will explain when i get to armsmerchant question. orthodox an conservative jews who follow a literal translation of the torah believe in a actual physical being. who will usher in a utopian age. and all of gods children will be united in peace. this is very similar to a jesus like figure.

to the reform jewish movement, it is felt that a messianic age will be usherd in once completed we have completed tikkum olam or the repairing of the world. reformed jews feel that instead of a physical entity coming to man an ushering in a utopia it will be up to us, all humans to make the world a perfect place. it is felt that by completing mitzvahs or blessings we can make the world that much more near to a perfect age.

Kosher food is a dietary law. it restricts several kinds of food that are deemed unclean for one reason or another.
animals must chew there cud and also have cloven hooves to be considered kosher. predatory birds are not kosher. dairy products can not be served with meat. pots that had meat in them can not have dairy in them an vice versa . fish must have fins an scales. this excludes all shell fish. further all meat must be slaughtered in a specific manner. on passover the rules get a bit more intense.

Originally Posted by armsmerchant

OP, as you know, there are various Jewish sects. It would be helpful if you would identify yourself as Conservative, Reform, Orthodox, Hassidim, whatever--and explain the differences between them.

*this post has been edited for clarity*Armsmerchant judasim has been around for well over 5000 years. as such there has been a great amount of collected thought. there main bodies are orthodox, conservative, and reform. Hasidim an Ashkenazim refer to ethnic background, rather than religious beliefs. due to time constraints i am not knowledgeable of every school of jewish thought.

Judaism has no formal set of beliefs that one must hold to be a Jew. In Judaism, actions are far more important than beliefs, although there is certainly a place for belief within Judaism.
The closest that anyone has ever come to creating a widely-accepted list of Jewish beliefs is Rambam's thirteen principles of faith. Rambam's thirteen principles of faith, which he thought were the minimum requirements of Jewish belief, are:
1. God exists
2. God is one and unique
3. God is incorporeal
4. God is eternal
5. Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other
6. The words of the prophets are true
7. Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets
8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses
9. There will be no other Torah
10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11. God will reward the good and punish the wicked
12. The Messiah will come
13. The dead will be resurrected

these are very basic and general principles. Yet as basic as these principles are, the necessity of believing each one of these has been disputed at one time or another, and the liberal movements of Judaism dispute many of these principles.
Unlike many other religions, Judaism does not focus much on abstract cosmological concepts. Although Jews have certainly considered the nature of G-d, man, the universe, life and the afterlife at great length ( Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism), there is no mandated, official, definitive belief on these subjects, outside of the very general concepts discussed above. There is substantial room for personal opinion on all of these matters, because as I said before, Judaism is more concerned about actions than beliefs.
Judaism focuses on relationships: the relationship between G-d and mankind, between G-d and the Jewish people, and between human beings. Our scriptures tell the story of the development of these relationships, from the time of creation, through the creation of the relationship between G-d and Abraham, to the creation of the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people, and forward. The scriptures also specify the mutual obligations created by these relationships, although various movements of Judaism disagree about the nature of these obligations. Some say they are absolute, unchanging laws from G-d (Orthodox); some say they are laws from G-d that change and evolve over time (Conservative); some say that they are guidelines that you can choose whether or not to follow (Reform, Reconstructionist)


i am a reformed jew

[BrokeProphet]

What is the jewish question, and was it answered?

[Azure]

What's with the pointy little hats?

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by Hare_Geist

The Romans killed Jesus to appease a mob of angry Jews who accused him of being a heretic and were baying for his blood...

you believe your 2000+ year old interpretation of a story, i will believe mine.

Originally Posted by john deer

Anyways, why are you guys so successful in Hollywood and America in general?

i think jews are successful because most of us come from stable homes where education is valued. to be jewish is to have a passion to study, learn, discuss, an read. also we still suffer from the immigrant syndrome of working hard.

as far as holly wood success goes, i think some jews succeed there because we have a great sense of humor as a people.

an i would be hard pressed to find sources for what i am saying. i am not that good of a jew.

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

What is the jewish question, and was it answered?

the jewish question meant different things to different people. many agree that is pertains to the negative attitude toward the apparent and persistent singularity of the Jews as a people on the background of the rising political nationalisms and new nation-states in europe. zionism came from the jewish question. apparently the question was answered when israel was founded an reform judaism came about.

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by Azure

What's with the pointy little hats?

it is to recognize that god is above everyone/thing. also it is a mitzvot to wear one when praying. committing mitzvot move us closer to a perfect age.

[BrokeProphet]

Originally Posted by lostmyface

the jewish question meant different things to different people. many agree that is pertains to the negative attitude toward the apparent and persistent singularity of the Jews as a people on the background of the rising political nationalisms and new nation-states in europe. zionism came from the jewish question. apparently the question was answered when israel was founded an reform judaism came about.

I thought the Jewish question was the refusal of Jews to intergrate fully with cultures they lived in, leading to a close knit community of Jews helping each other become wealthy, which is evidenced in the disproportionate wealth ratio of the Jewish people.

The answer to that was to take over and commit human rights violations against another people occupying the magic land you all wanted?

A rather shitty answer, to a complex question.

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

I thought the Jewish question was the refusal of Jews to intergrate fully with cultures they lived in, leading to a close knit community of Jews

i thought that was baislcly what i said. my bad, next time i will try an be more clear.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

helping each other become wealthy, which is evidenced in the disproportionate wealth ratio of the Jewish people.

this is paranoia

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

The answer to that was to take over and commit human rights violations against another people occupying the magic land you all wanted?

lots of shit went down in that deal an many sides were fucked an fucked each other. i will not excuse the israeli state, their actions are deplorable, an many jews feel this way. but it was not just the jews who played the hand poorly. the british an french royally fucked up the region during the mandate time period. also the other arab nations of the time played the palestinians in a attempt to get money for themselves from the USA or USSR

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

A rather shitty answer, to a complex question.

i could say the same to your response.

[BrokeProphet]

Originally Posted by lostmyface

i will not excuse the israeli state, their actions are deplorable, an many jews feel this way. but it was not just the jews who played the hand poorly.

Perhaps, some jungle could have been clear-cut for you guys in South America, and all of that bloodshed need not have happened and continue to this day.

You could all be farming fruit, sugar, coffee and chocolate and not have a man with bomb blow your granny to bits in a crowded bus.

Shit, thats right, the sons of Abraham never went to South America, it wasn't holy enough.

---------

What I find deplorable is that the Jewish people had to have the holy land, at any cost. A cost that is being paid to this day, by Israeli and American alike.

Those actions are just Old testament style responses to fulfill a self fulfilling prophecy. How many times have Jews killed whomever, be it man, woman, or child, in the name of that patch of Earth?

[killallthewhiteman]

On the kosher food.

Do Jews believe that these laws are derived from a spiritual transcendental context? (the word/will of God)

It seems to me these laws/rules are derived from material nature rather than the spiritual nature; of course a few millenniums ago at a time very different to this age it would have been practical. But in kali- yuga when there is a vast amount of technology and increasing technology we understand it is understood that the costs to human health for animals who "dont chew the cud" or have "cloven hooves" can be reduces and removed through an understanding of hygiene.

Or are the laws not derived from negative health costs?

please clear this up

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

Perhaps, some jungle could have been clear-cut for you guys in South America, and all of that bloodshed need not have happened and continue to this day.

You could all be farming fruit, sugar, coffee and chocolate and not have a man with bomb blow your granny to bits in a crowded bus.

for a while there were plans of having the jews live in what is now either aregentina or kenya. the kenyan deal was very close to happening. but the british decided to play the jews an the arabs off of each other in order to hurt the ottoman empire.(kenya an palestine were both british held territories) most of the european jews moving into palestian did not realize they were pawns. as for the arabs living there, they were shafted not only by the new jewish settlers but also by their own leaders, other arab states, the ottomans, an the west. again my heart an prays, as do many other jews hearts an prays go out to those people.

broke prophet i know you are a troll an there is nothing i am going to say that will satisfy you


---------

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

What I find deplorable is that the Jewish people had to have the holy land, at any cost. A cost that is being paid to this day, by Israeli and American alike.

up untill the 1940's many jews did not want to go to palestine. they wanted some other more fertile land. judasim, as a religion had taken a new turn, an was no longer as focused on returning to a physical jersualem, to many zion had become a state of mind, not a actual place. it was only when the brits an french promised the land that jews began to flock to it once again. once the jews arrived, an found out that the brits had lied to them, they fought back. you would have as well. again this is not an excuse, it is how history played out.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

Those actions are just Old testament style responses to fulfill a self fulfilling prophecy. How many times have Jews killed whomever, be it man, woman, or child, in the name of that patch of Earth?

before 1945, not for over 2000 years. but i agree many actions carried out by the jewish state are deplorable. i think the actions are based on realist political theory and a desire to keep the land bought/fought/promised them. not so much on old testemant style responses to fulfill a self fulfilling prophecy.

again none of my answers are going to be the ones you want to hear, you make the common mistake of identifying the jewish state an the jewish people as one an the same. when in truth we could not be more separate. so maybe you should just stop reading this thread, m'kay.

Originally Posted by killallthewhiteman

On the kosher food.

Do Jews believe that these laws are derived from a spiritual transcendental context? (the word/will of God)

It seems to me these laws/rules are derived from material nature rather than the spiritual nature; of course a few millenniums ago at a time very different to this age it would have been practical. But in kali- yuga when there is a vast amount of technology and increasing technology we understand it is understood that the costs to human health for animals who "dont chew the cud" or have "cloven hooves" can be reduces and removed through an understanding of hygiene.

Or are the laws not derived from negative health costs?

please clear this up

kosher is a very complex aspect of judaism. i did not do it justice in a earlier post, because it is would require me to write out a few pages to fully explain it, and i dont have the time to do that. an i doubted any of you want to read it. but here i go on a bit more detailed look at whay kosher means.

Kashrut is the body of Jewish law dealing with what foods we can and cannot eat and how those foods must be prepared and eaten. "Kashrut" comes from the Hebrew root Kaf-Shin-Reish, meaning fit, proper or correct. It is the same root as the more commonly known word "kosher," which describes food that meets these standards. The word "kosher" can also be used, and often is used, to describe ritual objects that are made in accordance with Jewish law and are fit for ritual use.

Contrary to popular misconception, rabbis or other religious officials do not "bless" food to make it kosher. There are blessings that observant Jews recite over food before eating it, but these blessings have nothing to do with making the food kosher. Food can be kosher without a rabbi or priest ever becoming involved with it: the vegetables from your garden are undoubtedly kosher (as long as they don't have any bugs, which are not kosher!). However, in our modern world of processed foods, it is difficult to know what ingredients are in your food and how they were processed, so it is helpful to have a rabbi examine the food and its processing and assure kosher consumers that the food is kosher. This certification process is discussed below.

There is no such thing as "kosher-style" food. Kosher is not a style of cooking. Chinese food can be kosher if it is prepared in accordance with Jewish law, and there are many fine kosher Chinese restaurants in Philadelphia and New York. Traditional Ashkenazic Jewish foods like knishes, bagels, blintzes, and matzah ball soup can all be non-kosher if not prepared in accordance with Jewish law. When a restaurant calls itself "kosher-style," it usually means that the restaurant serves these traditional Jewish foods, and it almost invariably means that the food is not actually kosher.

Food that is not kosher is commonly referred to as treif (lit. torn, from the commandment not to eat animals that have been torn by other animals).
Why Do We Observe the Laws of Kashrut?

Many modern Jews think that the laws of kashrut are simply primitive health regulations that have become obsolete with modern methods of food preparation. There is no question that some of the dietary laws have some beneficial health effects. For example, the laws regarding kosher slaughter are so sanitary that kosher butchers and slaughterhouses have been exempted from many USDA regulations.

However, health is not the only reason for Jewish dietary laws. Many of the laws of kashrut have no known connection with health. To the best of our modern scientific knowledge, there is no reason why camel or rabbit meat (both treif) is any less healthy than cow or goat meat. In addition, some of the health benefits to be derived from kashrut were not made obsolete by the refrigerator. For example, there is some evidence that eating meat and dairy together interferes with digestion, and no modern food preparation technique reproduces the health benefit of the kosher law of eating them separately.

[lostmyface]

in recent years, several secular sources that have seriously looked into this matter have acknowledged that health does not explain these prohibitions. Some have suggested that the prohibitions are instead derived from environmental considerations. For example, a camel (which is not kosher) is more useful as a beast of burden than as a source of food. In the Middle Eastern climate, the pig consumes a quantity of food that is disproportional to its value as a food source. But again, these are not reasons that come from Jewish tradition.

The short answer to why Jews observe these laws is: because the Torah says so. The Torah does not specify any reason for these laws, and for a Torah-observant, traditional Jew, there is no need for any other reason. Some have suggested that the laws of kashrut fall into the category of "chukkim," laws for which there is no reason. We show our obedience to G-d by following these laws even though we do not know the reason. Others, however, have tried to ascertain G-d's reason for imposing these laws.

Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin suggests that the dietary laws are designed as a call to holiness. The ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, pure and defiled, the sacred and the profane, is very important in Judaism. Imposing rules on what you can and cannot eat ingrains that kind of self control, requiring us to learn to control even our most basic, primal instincts.

Donin also points out that the laws of kashrut elevate the simple act of eating into a religious ritual. The Jewish dinner table is often compared to the Temple altar in rabbinic literature. A Jew who observes the laws of kashrut cannot eat a meal without being reminded of the fact that he is a Jew.


People who do not keep kosher often tell me how difficult it is. Actually, keeping kosher is not particularly difficult in and of itself; what makes it difficult to keep kosher is the fact that the rest of the world does not do so.


Keeping kosher only becomes difficult when you try to eat in a non-kosher restaurant, or at the home of a person who does not keep kosher. In those situations, your lack of knowledge about your host's ingredients and food preparation techniques make it very difficult to keep kosher. Some commentators have pointed out, however, that this may well have been part of what G-d had in mind: to make it more difficult for us to socialize with those who do not share our religion.(i think this is bunk)

Although the details of kashrut are extensive, the laws all derive from a few fairly simple, straightforward rules:

1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals.
2. Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.
3. All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten.
4. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.
5. Fruits and vegetables are permitted, but must be inspected for bugs
6. Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat).
7. Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.
8. Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten.
9. There are a few other rules that are not universal.

Of the "beasts of the earth" (which basically refers to land mammals with the exception of swarming rodents), you may eat any animal that has cloven hooves and chews its cud. Lev. 11:3; Deut. 14:6. Any land mammal that does not have both of these qualities is forbidden. The Torah specifies that the camel, the rock badger, the hare and the pig are not kosher because each lacks one of these two qualifications. Sheep, cattle, goats, deer and bison are kosher.

[lostmyface]

Of the things that are in the waters, you may eat anything that has fins and scales. Lev. 11:9; Deut. 14:9. Thus, shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and crabs are all forbidden. Fish like tuna, carp, salmon and herring are all permitted.

For birds, the criteria is less clear. The Torah provides a list of forbidden birds (Lev. 11:13-19; Deut. 14:11-18), but does not specify why these particular birds are forbidden. All of the birds on the list are birds of prey or scavengers, thus the rabbis inferred that this was the basis for the distinction. Other birds are permitted, such as chicken, geese, ducks and turkeys. However, some people avoid turkey, because it is not mentioned in the Torah, leaving room for doubt.

Of the "winged swarming things" (winged insects), a few are specifically permitted (Lev. 11:22), but the Sages are no longer certain which ones they are, so all have been forbidden. There are communities that have a tradition about what species are permitted, and in those communities some insects are eaten.

Rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects (except as mentioned above) are all forbidden. Lev. 11:29-30, 42-43.

Some authorities require a post-mortem examination of the lungs of cattle, to determine whether the lungs are free from adhesions. If the lungs are free from such adhesions, the animal is deemed "glatt" (that is, "smooth"). In certain circumstances, an animal can be kosher without being glatt; however, the stringency of keeping "glatt kosher" has become increasingly common in recent years, and you would be hard-pressed to find any kosher meat that is not labeled as "glatt kosher."

As mentioned above, any product derived from these forbidden animals, such as their milk, eggs, fat, or organs, also cannot be eaten. Rennet, an enzyme used to harden cheese, is often obtained from non-kosher animals, thus kosher hard cheese can be difficult to find.
Kosher slaughtering

The mammals and birds that may be eaten must be slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law. (Deut. 12:21). We may not eat animals that died of natural causes (Deut. 14:21) or that were killed by other animals. In addition, the animal must have no disease or flaws in the organs at the time of slaughter. These restrictions do not apply to fish; only to the flocks and herds (Num. 11:22).

Ritual slaughter is known as shechitah, and the person who performs the slaughter is called a shochet, both from the Hebrew root Shin-Cheit-Tav, meaning to destroy or kill. The method of slaughter is a quick, deep stroke across the throat with a perfectly sharp blade with no nicks or unevenness. This method is painless, causes unconsciousness within two seconds, and is widely recognized as the most humane method of slaughter possible.

Another advantage of shechitah is that it ensures rapid, complete draining of the blood, which is also necessary to render the meat kosher.

The shochet is not simply a butcher; he must be a pious man, well-trained in Jewish law, particularly as it relates to kashrut. In smaller, more remote communities, the rabbi and the shochet were often the same person.
Draining of Blood

The Torah prohibits consumption of blood. Lev. 7:26-27; Lev. 17:10-14. This is the only dietary law that has a reason specified in Torah: we do not eat blood because the life of the animal (literally, the soul of the animal) is contained in the blood. This applies only to the blood of birds and mammals, not to fish blood. Thus, it is necessary to remove all blood from the flesh of kosher animals.

The first step in this process occurs at the time of slaughter. As discussed above, shechitah allows for rapid draining of most of the blood.

The remaining blood must be removed, either by broiling or soaking and salting. Liver may only be kashered by the broiling method, because it has so much blood in it and such complex blood vessels. This final process must be completed within 72 hours after slaughter, and before the meat is frozen or ground. Most butchers and all frozen food vendors take care of the soaking and salting for you, but you should always check this when you are buying someplace you are unfamiliar with.

[lostmyface]

An egg that contains a blood spot may not be eaten. This isn't very common, but I find them once in a while. It is a good idea to break an egg into a glass and check it before you put it into a heated pan, because if you put a blood-stained egg into a heated pan, the pan becomes non-kosher.
Forbidden Fats and Nerves

The sciatic nerve and its adjoining blood vessels may not be eaten. The process of removing this nerve is time consuming and not cost-effective, so most American slaughterers simply sell the hind quarters to non-kosher butchers.

A certain kind of fat, known as chelev, which surrounds the vital organs and the liver, may not be eaten. Kosher butchers remove this. Modern scientists have found biochemical differences between this type of fat and the permissible fat around the muscles and under the skin.
Fruits and Vegetables

All fruits and vegetables are kosher (but see the note regarding Grape Products below). However, bugs and worms that may be found in some fruits and vegetables are not kosher. Fruits and vegetables that are prone to this sort of thing should be inspected to ensure that they contain no bugs. Leafy vegetables like lettuce and herbs and flowery vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are particularly prone to bugs and should be inspected carefully. Strawberries and raspberries can also be problematic. The Star-K kosher certification organization has a very nice overview of the fruits and vegetables prone to this and the procedure for addressing it in each type.
Separation of Meat and Dairy

On three separate occasions, the Torah tells us not to "boil a kid in its mother's milk." (Ex. 23:19; Ex. 34:26; Deut. 14:21). The Oral Torah explains that this passage prohibits eating meat and dairy together. The rabbis extended this prohibition to include not eating milk and poultry together. In addition, the Talmud prohibits cooking meat and fish together or serving them on the same plates, because it is considered to be unhealthy. It is, however, permissible to eat fish and dairy together, and it is quite common (lox and cream cheese, for example). It is also permissible to eat dairy and eggs together.

This separation includes not only the foods themselves, but the utensils, pots and pans with which they are cooked, the plates and flatware from which they are eaten, the dishwashers or dishpans in which they are cleaned, and the towels on which they are dried. A kosher household will have at least two sets of pots, pans and dishes: one for meat and one for dairy. See Utensils below for more details.

One must wait a significant amount of time between eating meat and dairy. Opinions differ, and vary from three to six hours. This is because fatty residues and meat particles tend to cling to the mouth. From dairy to meat, however, one need only rinse one's mouth and eat a neutral solid like bread, unless the dairy product in question is also of a type that tends to stick in the mouth.

The Yiddish words fleishik (meat), milchik (dairy) and pareve (neutral) are commonly used to describe food or utensils that fall into one of those categories.

Note that even the smallest quantity of dairy (or meat) in something renders it entirely dairy (or meat) for purposes of kashrut. For example, most margarines are dairy for kosher purposes, because they contain a small quantity of whey or other dairy products to give it a buttery taste. Animal fat is considered meat for purposes of kashrut. You should read the ingredients very carefully, even if the product is kosher-certified.
Utensils

Utensils (pots, pans, plates, flatware, etc., etc.) must also be kosher. A utensil picks up the kosher "status" (meat, dairy, pareve, or treif) of the food that is cooked in it or eaten off of it, and transmits that status back to the next food that is cooked in it or eaten off of it. Thus, if you cook chicken soup in a saucepan, the pan becomes meat. If you thereafter use the same saucepan to heat up some warm milk, the fleishik status of the pan is transmitted to the milk, and the milchik status of the milk is transmitted to the pan, making both the pan and the milk a forbidden mixture.

Kosher status can be transmitted from the food to the utensil or from the utensil to the food only in the presence of heat, thus if you are eating cold food in a non-kosher establishment, the condition of the plates is not an issue. Likewise, you could use the same knife to slice cold cuts and cheese, as long as you clean it in between, but this is not really a recommended procedure, because it increases the likelihood of mistakes.

Stove tops and sinks routinely become non-kosher utensils, because they routinely come in contact with both meat and dairy in the presence of heat. It is necessary, therefore, to use dishpans when cleaning dishes (don't soak them directly in the sink) and to use separate spoon rests and trivets when putting things down on the stove top.

Dishwashers are a kashrut problem. If you are going to use a dishwasher for both meat and dairy in a kosher home, you either need to have separate dish racks or you need to run the dishwasher in between meat and dairy loads.

You should use separate towels and pot holders for meat and dairy. Routine laundering kashers such items, so you can simply launder them between using them for meat and dairy.

Certain kinds of utensils can be "kashered" if you make a mistake and use it with both meat and dairy. Consult a rabbi for guidance if this situation occurs.
Grape Products

The restrictions on grape products derive from the laws against using products of idolatry. Wine was commonly used in the rituals of all ancient religions, and wine was routinely sanctified for pagan purposes while it was being processed. For this reason, use of wines and other grape products made by non-Jews was prohibited. (Whole grapes are not a problem, nor are whole grapes in fruit cocktail).

For the most part, this rule only affects wine and grape juice. This becomes a concern with many fruit drinks or fruit-flavored drinks, which are often sweetened with grape juice. You may also notice that some baking powders are not kosher, because baking powder is sometimes made with cream of tartar, a by-product of wine making. All beer used to be kosher, but this is no longer the case because fruity beers made with grape products have become more common.

There are a few additional considerations that come up, that you may hear discussed in more sophisticated discussions of kashrut.


Bishul Yisroel
In certain circumstances, a Jew (that is, someone who is required to keep kosher) must be involved in the preparation of food for it to be kosher. This rule is discussed in depth under Food Fit for a King on the Star-K kosher certification website.
Cholov Yisroel
An ancient rule required that a Jew must be present from the time of milking to the time of bottling to ensure that milk from kosher animals did not become mixed with milk from non-kosher animals. Milk that is observed in this way is referred to as Cholov Yisroel, and some people will consume only Cholov Yisroel. However, in the United States, federal law relating to the production of milk is so strict that many Orthodox sources accept any milk as kosher. You will sometimes see high-level discussions of kashrut address whether a product is Cholov Yisroel or non-Cholov Yisroel. See a more complete discussion under Cholov Yisroel: Does a Neshama Good on the Star-K kosher certification website.
Mevushal
Most kosher wines in America are made using a process of pasteurization called mevushal, which addresses some of the kashrut issues related to grape beverages. See The Art of Kosher Wine Making on the Star-K kosher certification website.


About 25% to 30% of Jews in America keep kosher to one extent or another. This includes the vast majority of people who identify themselves as Orthodox, as well as many Conservative and Reconstructionist Jews and some Reform Jews.

However, the standards that are observed vary substantially from one person to another. According to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), only about 17% of Jewish families eat kosher meat all the time. (see Table 28 in the survey, if you can find it -- I can no longer locate it online). Others keep kosher more strictly some times than others.

The strictest people will eat only foods that have reliable Orthodox kosher certification, eating only glatt-kosher certified meats and specially certified dairy products. They will not eat cooked food in a restaurant unless the restaurant has reliable Orthodox certification, and they are unlikely to accept an invitation to dinner from anyone who is not known to share their high standards.

Others are more lenient. Some will "ingredients read," accepting grocery store items that do not contain any identifiably non-kosher ingredients. Some will eat cooked food in a restaurant or a non-kosher home, as long as the meal is either vegetarian or uses only kosher meat and no dairy products. Some will eat non-kosher meat in restaurants, but only if the meat comes from a kosher animal and is not served with dairy products. Many of these more lenient people keep stricter standards in their homes than they do in restaurants or in other people's homes.

As rabbi Moline noted, "Everyone who keeps kosher will tell you that his version is the only correct version. Everyone else is either a fanatic or a heretic." . There is a lot of truth in this humorous observation.

hopefuly this was not too long an you all managed to get through it. if you want me to explain anything else i touched on in a similar manner(such as the different forms of judasim) i will be happy to do so.

[hollywood undead 420]

^fuck those gay ass rules

sorry but that makes me not like jews that much now

EDIT: you are jew?

woah

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by hollywood undead 420

^fuck those gay ass rules

sorry but that makes me not like jews that much now

EDIT: you are jew?

woah

i am not a fan of the rules myself, an i only keep kosher when i am in a kosher house. other than that, bring on the double bacon cheese burgers.

if those rules alone make you not like a religion, well i feel sorry for your close mindedness.

yes, i am a jew, just not a practicing jew. ie i dont go to synagogue or keep kosher or observe any of the holidays.

woah is right

[killallthewhiteman]

fuck man thats heaps.

Dont pay attention to holy wood, it takes commitment to be kosher huh. Its admirable that jews pay such close attention to their diet, even if it lacks an ontological basis they are still paying more attention to the secular atheist who has no clear defined rules on diet, in other words because Jews are conscious of their diet they are using discrimination which is the most fundamental aspect to human consciousness; whilst the westerners go about with there diet indiscriminately without any ontological basis other than the material sense of taste. Its funny that people like Hollywood are critical of kosher diet when they pay no attention to their diet (at least he did not argue this, which he should of since he disagreed with you).

Thank you for explaining the reality of kosher but i would like to know about the ontology of the kosher diet.

So obviously its Judaic law, is this because keeping a kosher diet will strengthen the relationship with God? If so what is so spiritual about discriminating between these animals and animal products.

One of the ten commandments is though shalt not kill; so why are you killing animals?

Is killing an animal something different to "killing" as it is defined in your scripture?

God created all living entities with a soul; this is not the scientific definition of "living"; what gives Jews the right to kill another soul? Surely that should be left to God?

That is my reality; the ontology is that God created all things; i think that is something that Jews understand. Our true nature is that we are not this material body but an eternal spirit soul. Killing an animal is in the mode of ignorance to the mode of satva (spiritual understanding /knowledge), which is the most favorable mode.(note: i am not a vegetarian but im working on it).

How is it that killing animals and going against your commandment is in the mode of satva; or bringing you closer to God?

Do share the jewish understanding

[BrokeProphet]

Originally Posted by lostmyface

up untill the 1940's many jews did not want to go to palestine. they wanted some other more fertile land. judasim, as a religion had taken a new turn, an was no longer as focused on returning to a physical jersualem, to many zion had become a state of mind, not a actual place.

So you assert, a group of people, most of whom practice a religion in which an all powerful being deems them the chosen, a certain patch of Earth as holy, and promises to get them there in divine prophecy, did not want to go to this holy land?

What's more is that they accidently wound up there, despite their desire to go against the wishes of their God, and the prophecy of their cannon?

This is what you are telling me?

-------

You don't see why someone would find what you are suggesting a little hard to believe? So much that you call me a troll and tell me to stop reading your thread?

Okay, I guess it is just a way fucking out there kind of insinuation, and any rational person would quickly come to a different conclusion.

You do seem to understand that the state of Israel was a mistake though.

[Chuck N0rris]

Originally Posted by john_deer

Why did your murder Jesus?

THIS.

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

So you assert, a group of people, most of whom practice a religion in which an all powerful being deems them the chosen, a certain patch of Earth as holy, and promises to get them there in divine prophecy, did not want to go to this holy land?

by the 18th century the jewish religion had taken a massive idealogical turn. an while almost all jews at that time felt they were a chosen people, many no longer viewed israel as a holy land. it had become an idea, not a place. the prophecy had also been reinterpreted. where before it was all about wondering lost in the diaspora until god deemed us ready for a return, now it was about fixing the world around us into a better place, a place worthy of god. a return to israel did not factor in these plans at all.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

What's more is that they accidently wound up there, despite their desire to go against the wishes of their God, and the prophecy of their cannon?

not accident, but by chance of historical events. if not for world war one i doubt an israeli state would be here today. i doubt the fanatical jews you see in israel today would be around either if not for the west. it was a need to destabilize the region that led the brits an french to start exporting jews to the middle east. those early settlers were pawns just like the original arab owners of the land. as far as wishes an prophecies go i think i have explained in several other post the reinterpretation of the jewish religion an philosophy over the past four centuries. but i doubt you really read any of my post cause you keep posting the same questions. hence why i called you a troll.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

This is what you are telling me?

basically, yes.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

You don't see why someone would find what you are suggesting a little hard to believe? So much that you call me a troll and tell me to stop reading your thread?

some one who did not understand that there was a difference between the jews of 3000 years ago an the jews of today. they would definetly have trouble grasping onto what i am saying. also some one who has little to no background in middle eastern history over the past 200 years. they might also have trouble getting what i am saying. but some one as knowlegebal as you? no i am sure you hear me just fine.

i called you a troll because you keep asking the same questions that i feel i have answered in other post.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

Okay, I guess it is just a way fucking out there kind of insinuation, and any rational person would quickly come to a different conclusion.

fucking out there kind of insinuation, what does that even mean? if you think i am trying to silence you an your brilliance by calling you a troll, you could not be more wrong. i am open to discussion. but if you try an intellectually attack a people of who you know little about, well i might seem a bit rude when i answer you. but i will answer you. troll.

Originally Posted by BrokeProphet

You do seem to understand that the state of Israel was a mistake though.

i think we can agree on this.

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by Chuck N0rris

THIS.

fuck off acolyte, let the men talk.

[lostmyface]

Originally Posted by killallthewhiteman

because Jews are conscious of their diet they are using discrimination which is the most fundamental aspect to human consciousness;

i think this is the answer to your question below

Originally Posted by killallthewhiteman

So obviously its Judaic law, is this because keeping a kosher diet will strengthen the relationship with God? If so what is so spiritual about discriminating between these animals and animal products.

there is nothing out right spiritual about the animals, as you said above it is more about active discrimination.

Originally Posted by killallthewhiteman

One of the ten commandments is though shalt not kill; so why are you killing animals?

Is killing an animal something different to "killing" as it is defined in your scripture?

God created all living entities with a soul; this is not the scientific definition of "living"; what gives Jews the right to kill another soul? Surely that should be left to God?

That is my reality; the ontology is that God created all things; i think that is something that Jews understand. Our true nature is that we are not this material body but an eternal spirit soul. Killing an animal is in the mode of ignorance to the mode of satva (spiritual understanding /knowledge), which is the most favorable mode.(note: i am not a vegetarian but im working on it).

How is it that killing animals and going against your commandment is in the mode of satva; or bringing you closer to God?

Do share the jewish understanding

this is a very interesting chain of thought you just laid out. i will try an explain the jewish view to the best of my abilities, but please be aware that judaism is open to lots of personal interpretations. and what i say, is just one of many views.

killing a man, is indeed different than killing an animal in judaism. according to jewish faith god did give life to all creatures, but did not give souls to all creatures.

we are still prohibited from causeing undue suffering to any animal. animal cruelty is strictly forbidden in the torah an the talmud. this is because we recognize these creatures as gods. and just like our own bodies, we are only borrowing them.

the jews do believe that god created everyone an everything, so in reality everything is god. right down to the cow in my burger. but jews feel it is ok to kill these animals an eat them because one, they dont have souls an two god put them here for us.

the killing can bring us closer to god by observing gods commandments an practicing kashrut among other things. as you noted early, it is the discrimination between one thing and another that helps bring us closer to god. i will qoute from an earlier post

"Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin suggests that the dietary laws are designed as a call to holiness. The ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, pure and defiled, the sacred and the profane, is very important in Judaism. Imposing rules on what you can and cannot eat ingrains that kind of self control, requiring us to learn to control even our most basic, primal instincts.
Donin also points out that the laws of kashrut elevate the simple act of eating into a religious ritual. The Jewish dinner table is often compared to the Temple altar in rabbinic literature. A Jew who observes the laws of kashrut cannot eat a meal without being reminded of the fact that he is a Jew."


hope that helps some.

[killallthewhiteman]

Originally Posted by lostmyface

the jews do believe that god created everyone an everything, so in reality everything is god. right down to the cow in my burger. but jews feel it is ok to kill these animals an eat them because one, they dont have souls an two god put them here for us.

Any living entity is created by God has a soul; because god is a soul. If an entity does not have its soul it is not living.
Of course there are differences between human animals and non-human animals; but in the spiritual sense it is that humans can be spiritually realized but animals cannot; spiritual realization comes through consciousness. But really most people do not realize this and are not even actively engaged in this just like the animals, so if you use the justification that animals are different to humans then you must not apply a double standard that is - many humans are in the mode of ignorance and passion just like animals. If you can justify killing animals for this reason, then you can justify killing people for this reason.

The soul is simply desire, obviously there are different desires with different qualities.

What im saying is that most human types and quality of desire is synonymous with non-human animals.

[nshanin]

Hey jew, dont make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.

Hey jew, dont be afraid.
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better.

[Martian Luger King]

Nshanin, DurrDrache, Zay and AE5150 would like to know when you want them to swallow your cum, as they are your humble servants being liberal queer progressive faggots and all.

[Chimro]

To the OP: Go to hell you pharisee bastard.

For everyone else: You really don't think you can trust a Jew do you? If you want to know what the "Jews" really believe, read the Talmud yourself.

[Defect]

Given some of the quality of the fucking comments, it wouldn't surprise me if you don't bother with this thread anymore.

However, if you do, I got a serious question.

A friend told me that jews believe that god is unknowable and approach Him more mysteriously than Christians. He mentioned something about Christians praying for specific things, and jews being more vague, or not even asking at all, or something. Can you clarify or dispel this possible bullshit?

[Ron Smythberg]

Originally Posted by Defect

Given some of the quality of the fucking comments, it wouldn't surprise me if you don't bother with this thread anymore.

However, if you do, I got a serious question.

A friend told me that jews believe that god is unknowable and approach Him more mysteriously than Christians. He mentioned something about Christians praying for specific things, and jews being more vague, or not even asking at all, or something. Can you clarify or dispel this possible bullshit?

Your friend is actually quite spot on. Where christians kneel and beg for "gifts from G-d", the Jews know that G-d is not some "santa claus" giving out free presents.

Jews know that any fruits of their efforts are a result of their own doing. They do not "thank G-d" for things that they have done themselves. It is illogical to them.

Yes G-d is unknowable. You cannot "become acquainted" with a life force that is so much superior then humans.

On the other hand sometimes it is necessary to thank G-d for when he steps in and intervenes for the betterment of man. Such is the reason Jews celebrate Hanukkah. G-d stepped in and saved his chosen.

May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all The Chosen.

Hanukkah begins tonight. I wish all the Hebrews on totse a Happy Hanukkah!!!

[BrokeProphet]

Originally Posted by Ron Smythberg

How can I explain this to you... Hmm... I assume you are obviously an ex-christian. Remember that song "Noel". When it said G-d is the King of Israel? Do you know where they are talking about? They are not talking about some made up place! There is and has always been a place on this earth called "Israel". In Israel there is a town named "Bethleham". This town is where christian's believe their "prophet" was born.

I am aware of what the bible says in regards to Israel. To assert I am not, when I have suggested it numerous times in this thread is dishonest.

I just wanted to make sure that this is how you wish to respond, b/c it seems all too easy to own your simple ass on this......alright.....let's do it.....

-------

So, you assert that b/c the Bible says so, Israel belongs to the Jews. You believe this makes Israel a good idea as opposed to my suggestion it is a mistake.

So, when a muslim asserts that Jews must be fought, and killed, and not to befriend them, b/c of the Koran, what makes them wrong?

Try to keep up here, it will get a little tricky for YOU.....

Both groups are acting upon information that is unverifiable and unfalisfiable. That is to say, niether of you can VERIFY that your books, prophets, Gods, etc. is true, and you cannot DISPROVE the other.

Can you?

No.

So what we have is a stalemate of ideas until one of you prove your God, which will be the only way to disprove the other, and thus the teachings. Which if the scriptures ARE true, will not happen until the end of time.

Bloodshed until the end of time, is not what I consider a good idea.

You seem to disagree.

------

What you seem ignorant of is the fact that your mentality regarding this situation is the same mentality of your enemy. Meaning that you and people like you are every bit as much a part of the problem, as a person who straps dynamite on their chest and blows up a school bus.

You won't realize this, as you are a tool and victim of your backwards primitive beliefs, and far too stupid to ever become aware of it.

I pity you.

Something to think about while you light your magic candles tonight.

------

This entire thread, should be stickied as a reason why organized religion is and has been a dangerous, and possibly greatest mistake, of humankind.

[Chimro]

Originally Posted by Defect

A friend told me that jews believe that god is unknowable and approach Him more mysteriously than Christians. He mentioned something about Christians praying for specific things, and jews being more vague, or not even asking at all, or something. Can you clarify or dispel this possible bullshit?

Jews hate the true god Jesus Christ, the god of the Jews is satan.

[Hexadecimal]

Originally Posted by lostmyface

so, i think alot of you goyim are confused as to what us jews actually believe in. so i am going to try an dispell some common mistakes an answer any questions you all have. i have been a jew my whole life. an while i have not always been a practicing jew, i feel that i am still more informed about this religion than most of totse.

so &t ask your questions an i will try an answer them to the best of my abilities.

If you're fairly versed in the OT, could you explain to &totse what the TNK really is?

[Ron Smythberg]

If you're fairly versed in the OT, could you explain to &totse what the TNK really is?

It is the three books of the Torah.

The T stands for "Torah" which means teachings or laws.

The N stands for Nevv'im which means "prophets" for the "book of prophets".

And the K stands for K'Tuvin mean writings, or psalms.

The Torah is arguably the most influential book in history. It's teachings, philosophy, and moral code is unsurpassed. Even the christians don't deny it's important and have even taken it as one of "their" books.

The fact is though that Judaism is really the only religion which follows this sacred text properly.

[Chimro]

Originally Posted by Ron Smythberg

The fact is though that Judaism is really the only religion which follows this sacred text properly.

Yeah, that must be why you serpents altered most of the Torah's laws when you wrote the Talmud.

[Ron Smythberg]

Originally Posted by Chimro

Yeah, that must be why you serpents altered most of the Torah's laws when you wrote the Talmud.

Oh why don't you just shut your hate filled mouth, you nazi-scumsucking weasel.

[BrokeProphet]

Originally Posted by Ron Smythberg

The fact is though that Judaism is really the only religion which follows this sacred text properly.

The entire first nine chapters of Leviticus can be summarized as follows: Get an animal, kill it, sprinkle the blood around, cut the dead animal into pieces, and burn it for a "sweet savor unto the Lord."

What was the last animal sacrifice you made? The last wave offering? Burnt offering?

Judaism is the only religion who follows the text properly, so they still stone fags, witches, sabbath breakers, prostitutes and the like...........right?

---------------

Judaism took what it liked, left what it did not.

Muslims I think follow the OT better than Jews. They still stone those who offend the ancient laws (fags, witches, prostitutes), and they have actual animal sacrifice, wave offerings, burnt offerings and other fun stone age traditions.

-------------

So before you look down your nose at Christians or Muslims, perhaps you should take one of your pets, cut it open, wave the entrails before God, dip you finger in the blood, smear some on your ear lobes and toes, and take a bagfull of rocks down to the local fag bar, and start chucking.

Me, I think you are all equally foolish in your primitive superstitions.

Originally Posted by Ron Smythberg

Oh why don't you just shut your hate filled mouth, you nazi-scumsucking weasel.

Ignore the weasel, he is a known troll and rabid anti-semite. He has zero intellectual respect here, and is kept around as sort of a joke. Kind of like Jabba's monkey-lizard.