Judaism & the chosen people

[FrontlineWarrior]

What does Judaism have to say about non-Jews? Like can an asian, latino, or black person go to heaven through any type of conversion, or are you basically screwed from birth?

Note: this is not a question that seeks the response such as: "religion is bullcrap, screw you stupid believers, sincerely yours, the almighty atheist."

 

[gopunk]

i think it would depend on how orthodox you get. i have a bunch of jewish friends and i don't think that they believe not jews are screwed from birth. then again some of them are only jewish in culture and not in belief.

 

[Mapidus]

Jews generally don't emphasize the afterlife. Getting to Heaven is not stressed in the religion as a reward of any type. Also, it is possible to convert to Judaism, but very hard as you have to study quite a bit and really desire to do so since the religion does not actively proselytize. I don't know what the opinion of the ultra orthodox is on conversion.

 

[gopunk]

mapidus: i think that's why jews get more respect than christians (or at least i think they do). you never see a jew embarrassing himself by trying to convert people.

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

I don't understand. I thought all religion stressed the afterlife...

 

[gopunk]

i don't think so, now that i think about it, i've never heard a jew talk about heaven and hell without prodding. some religions focus more on being a good person in your current life.

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

interesting

 

[linuxboy]

Judaism, especially to the lay person, has little to do with methaphysical assumptions. It's actually created as an all-encompassing system of social sctructure. Much like Catholicism in the middle ages.

As such, Jews, especially now, emphasize the importance of having a close, personal relationship with their YHWH. It also places great importance on familial ties and ritual such as marriage and death. This works well because:

-to understand fully the religion, one must study extensively the laws, as told by the Torah
-blind faith and allegiance is abhored. Meaning that all must be questioned. Since this occurs, the ultimate step from rationality and objectivity is to accept God.
-Closely knit communities and a duty to help followers causes adherents to cooperatively undertake projects. "many hands make light work"
-the large tradition and a 4,000 year covenant makes sense to members of the community and they rarely deviate since all social, spiritual, and mental needs are met

lastly, while having a methaphysical conception of an afterlife, stress the importance of a good and happy life in the presetn. They believe that they should be stewards of the resources God has given them. The trick is to use those resources wisely and for the benefit of many.


hope that helps

 

[linuxboy]

forgot to say that my explanation was of mainstream Judaism. As with any group of people, you will have extremists.

 

[CichliSuite]

As an Indian, I've always found myself having Jews as my closest friends. I think there is a similarity in culture, ethics, and priorities.

 

[somethingwitty]

Conversion: to be accepted as orthodox, you have to study for a year, bathe in the mikvah (ritual bath-may only be for females, cant remember), and circumsized. Other levels of judaism will accept converts based on different, less stringent factors (the learning isnt required, etc)-pretty sure circumsition is still required, though you may be able to find a sect that isnt as religious and doesnt require it.

Jews dont go out of their way to convert others. it must be of their own decision.

the afterlife is important (olam habah-the world to come), but only in that getting there should be a goal and is attained by being a good person, obeying the mitzvos, etc

 

[happykitten]

I have a lot of Jewish friends, and only one has tried to convert me. My girlfriend's Catholic, and she'll probably convert for her boyfriend/maybe-someday-husband.

One interesting fact about the Jewish religion... I know that one day a year, all (married) Jewish people are REQUIRED to have sex. It's pretty much a law. >O.O< If anyone knows the formal name/history of this tradition, please share...

Oh, and... could someone please run down the difference between the Torah, Tanack, and Talmud? From what I can recall (fuzzy memories of frosh year Religion 201 class), the Torah is exactly the same as the Old Testament of the Bible (slightly different translation, of course) and the Talmud is a book of praises. Any clarification?

Thanks,
~kitten >^.^<

 

[Mapidus]

Yeah the Torah is basically the &quot;Jewish Bible&quot; and is essentially the old testament. The Talmud is a collection of the &quot;wisdoms&quot; of various Rabis. Not sure about the Tanack. The Talmud is what is discussed and debated the most in a Jewish family. You may find people discussing its topics over the dinner table (normally a father/son thing). It is where you find discussions about traditions such as Kosher eating (Kashruth) and other things. You can consider the Talmud as a book of Jewish &quot;Laws&quot; in some sense. Some also study a modern Talmud with the teachings of modern Rabis.