Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Introduction to the FAQ and s.c.j Newsgroups (1/12) Previous Document: News Headers Next Document: Question 1.1: What is USENET? How is it different than "the Web"? See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge [3]Introduction 01-FAQ-intro [1] [4]Network and Newsgroup Introduction 02-Who-We-Are [2] [5]Who We Are 03-Torah-Halacha [3] [6]Torah [4] [7]Halachic Authority 04-Observance [5] [8]Jewish Holidays [6] [9]Jewish Dietary Law and Kashrut [7] [10]Sabbath and Holiday Observance [8] [11]Woman and Marriage 05-Worship [9] [12]Jewish Worship [10] [13]Conversion, Intermarriage, and "Who is a Jew?" [11] [14]Miscellaneous Practice Questions 06-Jewish-Thought [12] [15]Jewish Thought 07-Jews-As-Nation [13] [16]Jews as a Nation 08-Israel [14] [17]Jews and Israel 09-Antisemitism [15] [18]Churban Europa (The Holocaust) [16] [19]Antisemitism and Rumors about Jews [17] [20]Countering Missionaries 10-Reform [18] [21]Reform/Progressive Judaism 11-Miscellaneous [19] [22]Miscellaneous [20] [23]References and Getting Connected 12-Kids [21] [24]Children and Judaism [25]Archival Information [26]Credits and Acknowledgements 2000 The following separate FAQ related to Judaism is also published as part of the S.C.J. FAQ: Jewish Resources by Mail Order and Computer Steve Seidman [27]<srs3@crux3.cit.cornell.edu> The following is an index to the questions and other information contained in each section: Section 1: Network and Soc.Culture.Jewish Information 1. [8]What is USENET? How is it different than "the Web"? 2. [9]What are the major Jewish newsgroups on USENET? 3. [10]Why soc.culture.jewish? Wouldn't soc.religion.jewish be more appropriate? 4. [11]What are the charters of the various Jewish newsgroups? 5. [12]Are there other newsgroups about which Jews should be aware? 6. [13]I notice that some of these newsgroups are moderated. Isn't moderation censorship? 7. [14]How do I submit postings to a newsgroup? 8. [15]Some of these newsgroups have quite a bit of traffic? How do you cope with it? 9. [16]What topics are appropriate for S.C.J? 10. [17]What topics are not appropriate for S.C.J? 11. [18]When should I post to talk.politics.mideast? 12. [19]Is it appropriate to discuss Israel in soc.culture.jewish? 13. [20]How should I respond to inappropriate articles? Somebody posted an inappropriate article to S.C.J or T.P.M. 14. [21]But I don't get T.P.M? Now what? 15. [22]A. Random Jew posted X to a.b.c; I disagree. What should I do? 16. [23]Can non-Jews post to S.C.J? 17. [24]May I post this great Jewish essay I just read? 18. [25]I have a question nogaiah hilchos maaser kesafim b'zman hazeh... Eem yeish lee meah or fewer shekalim and some are hefker ... 19. [26]I've just found Jesus/ LaRouche/ Muhammad/ Marx/ Moon/ L.RonHubbard/ Cthulhu and I'd like you to find him, too. Here's an essay written by someone raised in a Jewish home who converted to my faith... 20. [27]I've just gotten this antisemitic email. What should I do? 21. [28]What are the Do's and Don'ts? Section 2: Who We Are 1. [8]Who reads the soc.culture.jewish newsgroups? 2. [9]What are the major Jewish movements? 3. [10]What is Conservative Judaism? 4. [11]What is Orthodox Judaism? 5. [12]What is Reform/Progressive Judaism? 6. [13]What about other movements? 7. [14]What are some of the Orthodox sub-groups? 8. [15]What is Chassidism and how does it differ from other Orthodox groups? 9. [16]What is Lubavitch Chasidism and Chabad? 10. [17]What is Breslov Chasidism? 11. [18]What is Satmar Chasidism? 12. [19]What other forms of Chasidism? 13. [20]What are OCR (O-C-R) wars? Why all the flames? 14. [21]But Reform Judaism isn't Judaism? Why don't they see that? 15. [22]But Orthodox Judaism isn't Judaism?Why don't they see that? 16. [23]Why shouldn't I say "ultra-Orthodox", "Reformed Judaism", or "Humanist Judaism"? 17. [24]How does a Chassid differ from Misnagid? 18. [25]What is a "Torah Jew?" 19. [26]What about homosexual Jews? 20. [27]Is it true that Jews are all (fill-in-the-blank)? 21. [28]How many Jews are there today in the U.S.A.? 22. [29]How many Jews are in the world? 23. [30]Who was the first Jew? 24. [31]What is Judaism all about? Section 3: Torah 1. [8]What is the Written Law? 2. [9]What are the books of the Jewish Bible (Tanakh)? 3. [10]Why, in the Tanakh, does G-d have so many Names? 4. [11]Who wrote the Torah? 5. [12]What is the Oral Law? 6. [13]How was the Oral and Written Law passed down to us? 7. [14]What is the Great Assembly (Anshe Knessest HaGedolah)? 8. [15]Who are the Zugot (pairs)? 9. [16]What is the Mishna? 10. [17]What is the relationship between the Mishna and the Torah? 11. [18]What are the Orders of the Mishna? 12. [19]What is the Tosefta? 13. [20]What is the relationship between the Tosefta and the Mishna? 14. [21]What is the Gemara and what is the Talmud? 15. [22]What is the Talmud? 16. [23]What is Talmud Yerushalmi? 17. [24]What is Talmud Bavli? 18. [25]What is Rashi's commentary on the Talmud? 19. [26]What is the Tosafot? 20. [27]Who wrote the Tosafot? 21. [28]What is the relationship of the Tosefta to the Talmuds? 22. [29]What are Baraitot? 23. [30]What are the extra-canonical (minor) tractates? 24. [31]What is a Midrash? 25. [32]What are Halakhic (or Tannaitic) Midrashim? 26. [33]What are the main Halakhic Midrashim? 27. [34]What are the main Exegetical Midrashim? 28. [35]What are the main Homiletic Midrashim? 29. [36]What are the Midrashim on the Five Megillot (aka The So-Called Rabbot)? 30. [37]What are some other important Haggadic works? 31. [38]What is the Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Creation)? 32. [39]What is Sefer haBahir, The Bahir (The Book of Illumination)? 33. [40]What is The Zohar? 34. [41]What are the Major Codes of Jewish Law? 35. [42]What is the Rif (Hilkhot of Rav Alfassi)? 36. [43]What is the Mishneh Torah (Yad Ha-Hazaqah , Sefer Mehoqeq)? 37. [44]What is the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol (The Semag)? 38. [45]What is the Arba'ah Turim (The Tur , The Four Rows)? 39. [46]What is the Shulkhan Arukh? 40. [47]What is the Hamappah of Rabbi Moshe Isserles? 41. [48]What is the Kitzur Shulkhan Arukh? 42. [49]What is the Mishnah Berurah? 43. [50]What Other Codes of Jewish Law Are Used by Non-Orthodox Jewish Movements? 44. [51]What is the Meaning of 'All is Futile' from the beginning of Ecclesiastes? 45. [52]What does it mean in the psalm of Habakkuk when it says that G-d hides His power? 46. [53]What is meant by G-d's throne and the Serphim worshiping him in Isaiah 6:1-6? 47. [54]Why is G-d referred to in the plural in the book of Genesis? 48. [55]What is the Mekhilta on Deuteronomy? Section 4: Halachic Authority 1. [8]What is "Halacha"? How is it determined? 2. [9]Traditionally, what are the levels of halacha? 3. [10]Traditionally, what are the different rabbinic eras? 4. [11]How can differing halachic rulings all be considered valid? 5. [12]How does the Conservative movement deal with Halachic questions? 6. [13]What is the difference between two Orthodox rabbis who disagree and an Orthodox and a Reform who disagree? 7. [14]Who is RAMBAM that is mentioned and what are his 13 principles? 8. [15]Who was Rashi? 9. [16]Who was the Ramban? 10. [17]What is Kabbalah and how can I learn about it? 11. [18]Who is allowed to study Kabbalah? 12. [19]Who was Rabbeinu Tam? 13. [20]What are she'elot u'teshuvot? 14. [21]What is the midrash halachah and the midrash agadah? Section 5: Jewish Holidays 1. [8]What are the different holidays? 2. [9]What are the dates of the upcoming Jewish holidays? 3. [10]How can I get a Jewish calendar 4. [11]Why do some people take off one day, and others two? 5. [12]Why does the Jewish day start at sundown? 6. [13]What are the origins of the Chanukah Dreidel? 7. [14]Is it appropriate for Christians to "celebrate" Pesach using the form of a seder meal? 8. [15]What are the months of the Jewish Year? 9. [16]How does Judaism measure the day? 10. [17]Are the Four Questions asked on Pesach in the Torah? 11. [18]What are the different days of the Jewish week? 12. [19]How are Yahrzeits observed in Leap Years? 13. [20]What happened to the observance on 14 Nisan as Passover? 14. [21]For Mother's Day, how should one bless their mothers? Section 6: Jewish Dietary Law and Kashrut 1. [8]What is Kosher? Doesn't a rabbi just bless the food? 2. [9]How can I learn about Kashrut? Is there a "Kosher" FAQ? 3. [10]There are a wide variety of kosher symbols. How do I learn who's behind them? 4. [11]I'm going to be in (insert city here). How do I find the kosher restaurants? 5. [12]Do I need to have a kosher kitchen and kosher home to keep kosher? 6. [13]I have heard that Polish Orthodox Jews wait 6 hours between eating milchig and fleishig and Dutch Orthodox Jews wait about an hour. Why? 7. [14]Why do Sephardim and Ashkenazim have different customs regarding permissible foods on Pesach (Passover)? 8. [15]I'm a vegetarian health-food proponent. Is kosher food healthier? 9. [16]Is vegetarianism kosher? 10. [17]What process is involved in Kosher Slaughter? 11. [18]I work in a prison, and I have an inmate that is demanding Kosher Food? How do I know if his claim is justified? 12. [19]What are the issues involving Filet Minion? 13. [20]Why don't Jews eat Pork? 14. [21]Would the laws of Kashrut prevent Mad Cow Disease? 15. [22]Is Monkfish Kosher? 16. [23]Why do Jews separate Milk and Meat? 17. [24]Must Jews use wine? 18. [25]Are there parts of a kosher animal that cannot be eaten? 19. [26]I have a friend coming over that keeps Kosher. What do I do? Section 7: Sabbath and Holiday Observance 1. [8]What is the Jewish Sabbath and why is it on Saturday? 2. [9]Why do my Orthodox Jewish friends leave work early on Fridays and before Jewish holidays? 3. [10]Why can't Jews use electrical appliances and motor vehicles on Shabbat? 4. [11]Why are there 18 minutes from the time candle lighting starts on Shabbat until the last time you can light? 5. [12]I've heard that Jews can't tear on Shabbat? Why? What is "work"? 6. [13]How do people know when to light candles in the Arctic? 7. [14]What is the significance of Challah? 8. [15]Why do women wave their hands three times before lighting Shabbat [or Holiday] candles? 9. [16]What is an Eruv? 10. [17]If your home is burning, can you put out the fire on Shabbat? 11. [18]What Medical Procedures May Be Performed on Shabbat? 12. [19]What happens on Shabbat? 13. [20]Do Conservative Jews play musical instruments on Shabbat? 14. [21]Why is there a prohibition on travel on Shabbat? 15. [22]Can an observant Jew use a camera on Shabbat? Section 8: Woman and Marriage 1. [8]What role do women play in Judaism? 2. [9]What is the Conservative view of the role of women in Judaism? 3. [10]What is the Reform view of the role of women in Judaism? 4. [11]What is the Orthodox view of the role of women in Judaism? 5. [12]Is it true that Orthodox men bless G-d every morning for not making them a woman? What do you mean, this isn't terrible? 6. [13]I've heard polygamy is permissible among Sephardic and Yemenite Jews. Doesn't Judaism mandate monogamy? 7. [14]What does clean/unclean refer to? 8. [15]What is "Niddah"? 9. [16]I've heard that Orthodox men can't touch women. Is this true? 10. [17]Are there any rituals for purification after childbirth for women? 11. [18]What is the Jewish position on contraception and abortion? 12. [19]How does Judaism view Marriage? 13. [20]How do Jews find Mates? 14. [21]What is a Jewish Marriage? 15. [22]What happens before a Jewish Wedding? 16. [23]What happens during a Jewish Wedding? 17. [24]What happens after a Jewish Wedding? 18. [25]What should I wear to a Jewish wedding? 19. [26]Why is the glass broken at Jewish weddings? 20. [27]What is a Ketubah? 21. [28]What are the "Seven Blessings"? 22. [29]What does Judaism say about premarital sex? 23. [30]What are some good wedding greetings? 24. [31]Can a wife refuse to have marital relations with her husband? 25. [32]What should a man do if his wife leaves him for another man? 26. [33]Can a Jewish woman who has not been to a mikvah get married in an Orthodox wedding? 27. [34]Is it possible for a Cohanim to marry a divorced Jewish woman? 28. [35]I've heard Jews can't get married on certain days. What are they? 29. [36]What is the role of the parents or the rabbi at a wedding? 30. [37]How long after a spouse dies can the surviving partner remarry? Must they marry their spouse's younger brother? 31. [38]What relationships are prohibited? 32. [39]What is the restriction on woman to sing in public and infront of men? 33. [40]What can be done if the wife refuses to sign the get (divorce decree)? Section 9: Jewish Worship 1. [8]How does a rabbi differ from a priest? 2. [9]Do you need a rabbi for a wedding? 3. [10]Do you need a rabbi for a divorce? 4. [11]How do Jews pray? 5. [12]Is there a distinctly Jewish form of meditation? 6. [13]Does Judaism have a strong tradition of religious art and music? 7. [14]What is a synagogue? 8. [15]What will I find in a synagogue? 9. [16]How is a synagogue operated? 10. [17]What functions does a synagogue serve? 11. [18]What is the name of the Jewish God? 12. [19]What is the reason for a "minyon" (a quorum of 10 men requried for certain prayers)? 13. [20]What is the "Shema"? 14. [21]Where can I learn about the prayers before eating? 15. [22]What is the structure of the morning service? 16. [23]When should morning services start? 17. [24]Why do people put their tallit over their heads when they pray? 18. [25]What is the importance of collective worship in Judaism? 19. [26]What is the difference between Conservative Prayer and Orthodox Prayer? 20. [27]What is the Timeline of Women in the Rabbinate? 21. [28]Are extremely observant men permitted to pray at home? 22. [29]What is the Qetzatzah Ceremony? 23. [30]What time of day were the sacrifices offered? Section 10: Conversion, Intermarriage, and "Who is a Jew?" 1. [8]Does Halacha (Jewish law) permit intermarriage? 2. [9]I'm a Jew who married a gentile. Am I still Jewish? 3. [10]I'm a Jew who accepted the tenets of another religion, but now wants to practice Judaism again. Am I allowed? Am I still Jewish? 4. [11]OK, then apart from halachic considerations, why do many Jews of all types oppose intermarriage? 5. [12]Is objection to intermarriage a form of bigotry? 6. [13]But I still want to intermarry? Do you know of a Rabbi that performs intermarriages? 7. [14]How does one convert? 8. [15]What about adults who are not circumcised? 9. [16]What does the word "Jew" mean? 10. [17]Who is a Jew? 11. [18]What is the origin of Matrilineal Descent? 12. [19]I've heard that Jewish parents consider an intermarried child as "dead". Is this true? 13. [20]Why is the conversion process so complicated? The matriarchs didn't have to convert. Section 11: Miscellaneous Practice Questions 1. Dress 1. [8]Why do some Jewish women wear wigs or cover their hair with a snood, beret, tichel, turban, kerchief or hat? 2. [9]Why do many Jewish men wear head coverings (variously referred to as "yarmulkas," "skullcaps," and "kipot")? 3. [10]What is a Tallis? Tzit-tzit(those fringes)? Why do Jews wear them? 4. [11]What are those black boxes and leather straps Jewish men wear? 5. [12]Why do many Jewish men sport beards and/or long sideburns? 6. [13]Why do some Orthodox Jews, especially Chassidim, wear a distinctive style of clothing (i.e., fur hats, black coats, gartel)? 7. [14]What is Shaatnez? 8. [15]Are there any special dress rules or customs for women? 9. [16]What is a Kittel? 10. [17]What is the large high ceremonial hat that the Rabbi wears in the synagogue called? 2. Sex and Purity 1. [18]What's this I've heard about a hole in a sheet? 2. [19]Can a Jewish man only uncover his wife a hands-breadth? 3. [20]What is a "mikveh"? 4. [21]What are Jewish hygene practices? 3. Writing 1. [22]Why do some people write "G-d" with a hyphen instead of an `o'? 2. [23]Why do some Jews write "J-s-s" and "Xianity"? 3. [24]Why are somethings written in Hebrew, and others in Aramaic? 4. Practices towards others 1. [25]Does Judaism permit slavery? 2. [26]What does "eye for an eye" mean? 3. [27]Is it permitted for a Jew to sell Christian objects? 5. Weddings + This material has been moved to [28]Section 8. 6. Death and Burial 1. [29]Is it true that someone with tattoos cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery? 2. [30]I've heard about a custom of putting stones on the grave. Do you know where this custom originated? 3. [31]Is "stone setting" at the cemetery within a year after death is a Jewish tradition? 4. [32]What are the Jewish mourning customs after the death of an immediate relative? 5. [33]What are Jewish funeral customs? 6. [34]Is getting cryogenically frozen against Judaism? 7. [35]Are Jews buried facing West? 8. [36]Can Jews be cremated? 9. [37]What is the Jewish position on Suicide? 10. [38]Can pregnant women attend a funeral? 11. [39]If a Jewish person lives in an area where there is no synagogue, no Jewish funeral home, and no Jewish cemetery, what would the rules be in regard to burial? 12. [40]Can Jews and Non-Jews be buried together? 13. [41]Must the Chevra Kedisha be family members? 14. [42]How have burial customs changed over time? 15. [43]Why do Jews emphasize burial within 24 hours? 7. Charity 1. [44]What are the levels of giving? 8. Sacrifices 1. [45]When did Jews stop making animal sacrifices? 2. [46]What replaced animal sacrifices in Jewish practice? 3. [47]How do sacrifices relate to compassion for animals? 4. [48]Will sacrifices be restored if the Temple is rebuilt? 9. Symbols 1. [49]Why are Jews called Jews? 2. [50]What does the Star of David represent and what is its symbolism? 3. [51]What is the signficance of "Chai" and the number 18? 4. [52]What is a Mezuzah? 5. [53]What is a Menorah? 6. [54]What is the significance of the number 5? 7. [55]What is the significance of the number 3? 8. [56]What is the significance of the number 40? 9. [57]What is the significance of the number 7? 10. [58]Are there any Jewish housewarming rituals? 11. [59]What is the significance of blue in Judaism? Are there other special colors? 12. [60]What is the significance of the number 8? Section 12: Jewish Thought 1. [8]What is the Jewish concept of G-d? Do Jews think of G-d as an angry old man with a long white beard? 2. [9]Can one doubt G-d's existence and still be a good Jew? 3. [10]Does modern science (e.g., "big bang" theory, evolution, the age of the world) contradict traditional readings of the Torah? 4. [11]Does modern science contradict liberal readings of the Torah? 5. [12]Can one be Orthodox and a scientist too? 6. [13]I've heard that Jews consider themselves "chosen." What does that mean? 7. [14]What is the Jewish concept of the Messiah? 8. [15]What do Jews say happens when a person dies? Do Jews believe in reincarnation? In hell or heaven? Purgatory? 9. [16]What was the job of a prophet? 10. [17]It seems that prophecy was once central to Judaism; why don't we have prophets today? 11. [18]Who were the prophets? How many? 12. [19]What is the Jewish view on the question of "free will."? 13. [20]What about angels, demons, miracles, and the supernatural? 14. [21]What do Jews hope/expect of the future? 15. [22]How can Jews reject (insert true belief here)? 16. [23]Why do Jews need organized religion or Jewish laws? Isn't it good enough to be a good person? How about gentiles? 17. [24]How does Judaism differ from Xianity, Marxism, Communism, Humanism and other -isms? 18. [25]Where can a Gentile learn about Judaism? 19. [26]What does Judaism say about non-Jews and their role? What does G-d demands of gentiles to get to Olam Ha'aba ["The World-to-come"]? What are the Noachide laws? 20. [27]What do Jews believe about Good and Evil? 21. [28]What is the Jewish position on Capital Punishment? 22. [29]What is the Jewish position on communicating with the dead? 23. [30]What is the significance and importance of suffering and punishment in Judaism? 24. [31]Why are there different names for G-d? 25. [32]What is the "Book of Life"? 26. [33]How does one atone for sins? 27. [34]What does Judaism say about the punishments in the Torah? 28. [35]What does the Torah mean by Abomination? 29. [36]Why does the Torah talk about Other Gods? 30. [37]What is the purpose of life? Why did G-d create man? 31. [38]How does tithing work in Judaism? 32. [39]Does Judaism permit organ donation? 33. [40]Is numerology part of Jewish Mysticism? 34. [41]What is Jewish thought on Gog and Magog? 35. [42]What does Judaism believe about Satan? 36. [43]In Judaism, what are some of the laws related to gleaning and tithing for the poor? 37. [44]What is the Jewish view of Salvation, i.e., how a person from a given religion is ''saved''? 38. [45]Can a Jew donate blood? 39. [46]How does halacha, the messiah, and the prophets affect the daily life of a Jew? 40. [47]What must one do to lead "a good life" in Judaism? 41. [48]I've heard about 36 taddiks? 42. [49]What is the theological understanding regarding the affect of the expulsion from Eden? Section 13: Jews as a Nation 1. [8]What are the different racial and cultural groups of Jews? 2. [9]What are the differences between Sephardim and Ashkenazim? 3. [10]Where did the Beita Yisrael (Falashas) come from? 4. [11]Who were the Khazars? Are Ashkenazi Jews descended from the Khazars? 5. [12]Who are Crypto-Jews (also known as "marranos")? 6. [13]How does the Sephardi/Ashkenazi differences differ from the O/C/R differences? 7. [14]I've heard of a group called the "Black Hebrews". Who are they? 8. [15]What about the black jews in South Africa? 9. [16]Who Are The Jews of India, And What Are Their Origins? 10. [17]Are Jews a Nation or a Religion? 11. [18]Who are the Edot Mizraxi? 12. [19]What About Yeminite Jews? 13. [20]Who was Donna Gracia? Section 14: Jews and Israel 1. [8]Who is an Israeli? Who may enter Israel under its Law of Return? 2. [9]What is Zion? 3. [10]What is Zionism? 4. [11]Are all Jews Zionists? 5. [12]Do Diaspora Jews (Jews outside Israel) support Zionism? 6. [13]I've heard there were/are very Orthodox Jews who were/are against the state of Israel. How could this be? Who are they? 7. [14]Did Zionism end with the establishment of Israel? 8. [15]Are antisemitism and anti-Zionism the same thing? 9. [16]Is Zionism racist? 10. [17]What are the roots of Arab opposition to Zionism? 11. [18]Can't you criticize Israel without being antisemitic? 12. [19]Why is opposition to Israel often seen as being antisemitic? 13. [20]Why is Jerusalem so important to Jews? 14. [21]I want to move to Israel. Can I become a citizen? 15. [22]What is the Wailing Wall and why is it so important? 16. [23]Questions on aliyah, military service for olim and more Section 15: Churban Europa (The Holocaust) 1. [8]Why do Jews seem to treat the Holocaust as their tragedy alone? 2. [9]Where can I get information on the Holocaust? 3. [10]How do I get tickets to see the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum? 4. [11]Is there any online information available on Yad Vashem? Section 16: Antisemitism and Rumors about Jews 1. [8]Why is antisemitism used to mean anti-Jewish? 2. [9]Is there any truth to the myth of the Jewish American Princess? 3. [10]What is the connection between Judaism and Freemasonry? 4. [11]How do I counter antisemitic postings such as the infamous "Protocols"? 5. [12]Did the Jews kill Jesus? 6. [13]Can you tell me about the Disputation at Barcelona? Section 17: Countering Missionaries 1. [8]Are groups calling themselves "Jews for Jesus" or "Messianic Jews[sic]" Jewish movements? 2. [9]Is belief in Jesus-as-G-d compatible with any Jewish movements? 3. [10]Countering the Question: Why Don't Jews Believe in Jesus as the Messiah? 4. [11]What do missionary groups believe? 5. [12]What sort of deceptive terminology do missionaries use? 6. [13]How can these missionaries be countered? 7. [14]Who is financing "Jews for Jesus" and similar groups? 8. [15]Are the key Christian beliefs derived from Judaism? Section 18: Reform/Progressive Judaism * [8]Introduction to the Reform/Progressive FAQ 1. General Questions 1. [9]What is Reform Judaism? 2. [10]What, if any, are the fundamental principles of Reform? 3. [11]Is a Jew affiliated with Reform Judaism less "religious" than one affiliated with another movement? 4. [12]How is Reform Judaism structured in the North America? 5. [13]How is Reform Judaism structured in the rest of the world? 6. [14]How big is Reform Judaism? 2. History 1. [15]How did Reform Judaism start? 2. [16]Why did Reform Judaism start? 3. [17]I've heard reference to "Classic German Reform". What is it? 4. [18]What is Reform Judaism today? 3. What is Reform Judaism's position on... 1. [19]The authority of Torah? 2. [20]The authority of Talmud? 3. [21]What is acceptable practice? 4. [22]What is unacceptable practice? 5. [23]The necessity of belief in G-d? 6. [24]The role of Israel? 7. [25]Other Jewish movements? 8. [26]Homosexuality 9. [27]Intermarriage 10. [28]Abortion 11. [29]Mixed (Interfaith) Marriages 12. [30]The role of women 13. [31]Outreach 14. [32]How an individual's Jewish status is determined 15. [33]The Messiah 4. Stereotypes: The fallacy verses reality 1. [34]Fallacy: Reform Jews choose practice based solely on convenience 2. [35]Fallacy: Either patrilineal or matrilineal descent is accepted 3. [36]Fallacy: Reform Conversions take no study, and are for convenience only 4. [37]Fallacy: Reform Judaism encourages intermarriage 5. [38]Fallacy: Intermarried couples have exactly the same rights as non-intermarried couples in Reform Congregations 6. [39]Fallacy: Reform Judaism has Rabbis and congregations that don't believe in G-d 7. [40]Fallacy: There are no 3rd or 4th generation Reform Jews. 8. [41]Fallacy: An atheist could be considered a "good" Reform Jew 9. [42]Fallacy: Reform Jews don't have Bar Mitzvahs 10. [43]Fallacy: Reform totally ignores "Jewish" divorce (i.e., gets) 11. [44]Fallacy: All Reform Congregations Are Rich 12. [45]Fallacy: Reform Rabbis do not study Halacha 13. [46]Fallacy: Reform Jews don't care about Jewish ideals and principles. 14. [47]Fallacy: Reform Jews don't need to attend synagogue. 15. [48]Fallacy: Reform Jews don't believe in Zionism and don't support Israel. 16. [49]Fallacy: Reform Jews have no concept of the Messiah. 17. [50]Fallacy: Reform Jews do not observe Shabbat 18. [51]Fallacy: Reform Jews ignore the laws of Kashrut 19. [52]Fallacy: Reform rejects most of Maimonides 13 Principles of Faith 5. Differences from Traditional Judaism 1. [53]Why does Reform liturgy say "m'chayey hakol" [who gives life to all] instead of m'chayey meytim" [who gives life to the dead] ? 2. [54]What other changes to liturgy reflect Reform ideals? 3. [55]Why does Reform generally celebrate Rosh Hashanah for one day? 4. [56]How does a Reform conversion differ from an Orthodox conversion? 6. The Rabbinate 1. [57]How does one become a Reform Rabbi? 2. [58]What is the course of study for the Rabbinate? 3. [59]How does one become a Reform Cantor? 4. [60]What is the course of study for cantors? 5. [61]What other courses of study are available? 6. [62]Can Reform Rabbis be sanctioned for their beliefs 7. For Further Information 1. [63]How do I contact the main organizations in Reform Judaism? 2. [64]How do I find a Reform congregation? 3. [65]Are there any Reform Rabbis on the network who will answer questions? 4. [66]How do I start the conversion process? 5. [67]I'd like to do some further reading. Where do I start? * [68]Special Credits for the Reform/Progressive FAQ Section 19: Miscellaneous 1. [8]I want to become more observant. Where do I start? 2. [9]Why is "shabbat" spelled sometimes shabbath, shabbath, shabbos, 3. [10]What are some common Hebrew and Yiddish phrases I see on S.C.J? 4. [11]What do all those abbreviations like Z"L mean? 5. [12]Is "shvartze" offensive? Is "goyim" offensive? 6. [13]What does "shiksa" and "shaygetz" mean? 7. [14]I am going to be in (name your city), where can I eat, stay for Shabbat? 8. [15]What do bagels, lox, pastrami, falafel, garlic pickles, kishka, and kasha have to do with being a Jew? 9. [16]What does Warren Burstein's signature mean? 10. [17]Who was the sixth Marx brother? 11. [18]Why do Hebrew clocks run clockwise, not counter-clockwise? 12. [19]I'm not Jewish. How do I show my love for the Jewish people? 13. [20]What is the origin of the word "kike"? 14. [21]What is the meaning of the part of the book of Ruth where the guy at the gate takes off his shoe? 15. [22]I'm a health care provider? What do I need to know for Jewish patients? 16. [23]What would be a good housewarming gift for a Jewish friend? 17. [24]What is the meaning and origin of the phrase B'shaah Tova? Section 20: References and Getting Connected 1. [8]I'd like to learn more? Do you have any books to recommend? 2. [9]What are the different hechsher symbols? 3. [10]Where can I find Jewish-oriented mailing lists? 4. [11]What are the good Jewish search engines? 5. [12]What are some good Jewish links on the WWW? 6. [13]Is S.C.J available via a Listserv or other e-mail means? 7. [14]What divrei Torah are posted to Usenet? 8. [15]Where can I find collected divrei Torah? 9. [16]What software is available for Hebrew applications? 10. [17]What other Jewish software is available? 11. [18]Are there any Jewish Libraries on the Internet? 12. [19]I'm interested in ordering books or music on the internet. Where should I look? 13. [20]Boy, you did a wonderful job on the FAQ? How do I show my appreciation? Section 21: Children and Judaism * [8]Introduction to the Jewish Childrearing FAQ 1. Entering the Covenant 1. [9]What is circumcision? 2. [10]Why are Jewish boys circumcised? 3. [11]Who performs the circumcision? 4. [12]When is the circumcision done? 5. [13]But doesn't it hurt? 6. [14]But shouldn't the child make its own decision? 7. [15]But circumcision is only required for boys. What about girls? 8. [16]What are our options for welcoming our new baby girl? 9. [17]Can we hold a welcoming ceremony on the 8th day for a girl? 10. [18]What is a pidyon haben? 11. [19]When is a pidyon haben required? 12. [20]What about babies who are stillborn or die shortly after birth with respect to pidyon haben? 13. [21]What about an adopted child? 14. [22]Does Judaism have a tradition of Godparents? 15. [23]Is Circumcision required for a boy to be Jewish? 2. Naming 1. [24]What are the Ashkenazi customs regarding the naming of children? 2. [25]But my grandmother was named (insert old-fashioned out of use name here? No one uses that name today? How do I name after that relative? 3. [26]Is it appropriate to name a child after a relative of the opposite sex? 4. [27]Is it appropriate for multiple children (i.e. cousins) to be named after the same relative? 5. [28]My spouse has a living relative with the same name as my deceased relative. Can we name our children after my relative? 6. [29]What are the Sephardi customs regarding the naming of children? 7. [30]What about babies who are stillborn or die shortly after birth? 8. [31]Are there any distinctly non-Jewish names? 3. Playtime 1. [32]Can I let my kid swim on Shabbat? 2. [33]Can I let my kid play in the sandbox on Shabbat? 3. [34]Can children play sports such as Soccer on Shabbat? 4. [35]What is appropriate dress for swimming? 5. [36]Can my kid play with Playdough during Pesach? 4. Eating 1. [37]Where can I find kosher baby food? 2. [38]Where can I find kosher for passover baby food? 5. Holidays 1. [39]What are good activities for children for the major Jewish holidays? 6. Schooling 1. [40]How do I determine the right type of religious program: day school vs. afterschool? 2. [41]How are teachers in Chasidic schools trained? 7. B'nai Mitzvah 1. [42]What is a bar/bat mitzvah? 2. [43]What's a good gift for a b'nai mitzvah? 3. [44]What is appropriate dress to wear to the b'nai mitzvah ceremony? 4. [45]What are the characteristics of a good b'nai mitzvah program? 5. [46]How do I select a good b'nai mitzvah tutor? 6. [47]I need to speak at my child's bar/bat mitzvah? What do I say? 8. Other childhood lifecycle rituals 1. [48]I've heard of a ceremony called "Consecration". What is it? 2. [49]I've heard of a ceremony called "Confirmation". What is it? 3. [50]What is Upsherin? I know it relates to the cutting of the hair of boys at age 3, but tell me more. 4. [51]I've been invited to a Bat Barakah. What is it? 9. Coping with other religions 1. [52]My child says all of his friends have Christmas Trees, and he wants one too. What do I say? 2. [53]My child's non-Jewish grandparents have asked her to help trim the tree. What do I do? 3. [54]My child has been invited to an Easter Egg roll? What do I do? 4. [55]My child has been invited to the Easter Egg roll on the White House lawn? What do I do? 10. Growing Older 1. [56]My child wants to start dating? How do I ensure proper behavior? 2. [57]My child wants a tattoo. What forms of body modification are allowed? Tattoos? Earrings? 3. [58]When do I need to start worrying about issues of modesty? 11. Resource References 1. [59]I need some information on Jewish Genetic Diseases. Where do I start? 2. [60]Are there any recommended online resources on Jewish Childrearing or specifically for Jewish children? * [61]Special Credits for the Jewish Childrearing FAQ User Contributions:Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Introduction to the FAQ and s.c.j Newsgroups (1/12) Previous Document: News Headers Next Document: Question 1.1: What is USENET? How is it different than "the Web"? Single Page [ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ] Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer: SCJ FAQ Maintainer <maintainer@scjfaq.org>
Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM
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