Ask Me About Judaism

Since I am most likely the only Jewish person here feel free to ask questions about Judaism. I will try my best to give an accurate, non-sectarian answer.
*

 
Do share your immediate thoughts or reactions on this issue? We value your views! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views with us.. Gurfateh!

xkatz ji welcome to spn and your post.

I do not know why, but I admire Jewish culture, people and their achievements.

I have couple of questions as follows,

• Sikhism believes in one creator/God and encourages contextually understanding and living in consonance with such creation.
  • What does Judaism say or guide in this respect?
• Sikhism believes in equality of all before the creator/God and emphasizes the same where our Gurus taught us to treat them as one of all around. Yes they had and shared great wisdom. So basically we Sikhs don't have a concept of messengers of God, exclusivity of the same and the like.
  • What does Judaism say or guide in this respect?

Thanks.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/judaism/35226-ask-me-about-judaism.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35226

Sat Sri Akal.

Essentially the same thing. It is important to recognize, understand, and try to preserve G-d's creation(s).

Jewish people believe that they were "chosen" to recieve G-d's message (via the Hebrew prophets), HOWEVER that does NOT mean we are any better than other people (and most Jews don't think so!). It also, in my opinion, does not mean that he gave similar messages to other peoples It's probable some men in 15th Punjab got the message too (though a bit later)

Sat sri akal ji!

Welcome x-katz ji

I too appreciate your willingness to answer questions about Judaism. We try to update our interfaith dialogs as often as we can regarding the Jewish faith. There are some good articles there that challenge so many of the common stereotypes.

Enjoy your stay. Make it your forum too.

Dear x-katz Ji

Welcome to the best forum on the web and thanks for your kind offer to help us learn more about your faith
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35226

I was just wondering...it has been said that there are some instances in the Old Testament where G-d has been depicted as being a bit fearsome, a bit wrathful and vengeful
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35226

Just wondering what your views are on this?

Thanks

Seeker9 ji,
I'm very glad you asked this question. First let me start off by saying in Judaism, there is no dualism (ie Satan vs G-d, good vs evil), in fact, in Judaism, what Christians/Muslims call Satan is in fact, an agent of G-d! G-d, being the supreme being of the universe, is the source of everything- "good" and "bad". Anyways, He also does things that we consider strange (ie the massacre of first-borns in Egypt). However, I believe we often see these things as intrinsically good or bad, which they aren't meant to be. G-d, to an extent, is far beyond human comprehension, throughout the Tanakh (and scriptures of other faiths), people who "see" G-d are so overwhelmed by what they "see" they are overcome with fear. I think something similar applies here- while some may see G-d at times acting "wrathful", I think there is something more to it that we as humans simply cannot comprehend due to our limitations. I hope that answers your questions.

xkatz ji,
Thank you for allowing this exchange. I recently went to a Jewish museum and they worked through what happens in the weekly service. We were showed a Torah scroll adn told how a portion is read each week so the whole is completed over the year. My question is if its just a reading or whether the meaning is also explained?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35226
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35226
Thanks

Usually, the meaning is explained in addition to the portion. However, the explanation of a portion might differ by a synagogue's affiliation (reform, conservative, orthodox) or sometimes even by individual rabbis.

Dear Xkatz Ji

Thanks for the explanation

I have often thought about this. How the God of the OT and the NT are so different. I guess as a parent sometimes warns a child so they do not go astray, if you put "the fear of God" into a person, that person is more likely to follow "God's path."
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35226
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=35226

But I will confess some of the things I have read are still a bit unsettling.....