The heterodox tag has no wiki summary.
-3
votes
0answers
56 views
Prayer and tefillin for Jews who were not raised in religious Judaism? [closed]
I was born in a family who has abided by the Torah for more than five generations. Last weekend, I was approached by an Orthodox Jew to pray. As he began to place the tefillin, he asked me whether I ...
2
votes
0answers
46 views
Does a Jewish idolater's pouring of non-mevushal wine make that wine forbidden to himself?
We see from this answer that wine poured by a Jew who rejects Judaism is yayin nesech. Would that cause the wine to be forbidden even to himself, or is it only forbidden to others? Would he be ...
2
votes
2answers
113 views
Are Christians and/or “Messianic Jews” considered Jewish by Jews?
I know Judaism is not "Christian", but I am under the impression that there are some differences amongst Jewish traditions.
At the extreme, I have even heard of "Messianic Jews" who believe Jesus was ...
3
votes
0answers
113 views
What is mainstream Chabad's view on Elokists?
There is a small group of people who believe that the Lubvatcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson zt"l is in fact God. For example, the front page of the website for a synagogue(?) in Mikwaukee ...
2
votes
0answers
57 views
Agnostic Jew serving as the tenth for a minyan
I remember reading a responsum on the issue of agnostic Jew's serving as the tenth for a minyan, but do not remember the outcome. Does anyone know the rule?
Also, do we count, as the tenth man, a ...
20
votes
9answers
526 views
Seder advice when with people who aren't interested?
This may have some things in common with beginner's seder advice, but it's different enough that I'm asking separately.
For family-obligation reasons, I sometimes find myself at a seder where most of ...
10
votes
1answer
125 views
What happened to the Eirev Rav?
What happened to the Eirev Rav after the Jews entered Israel? They were open trouble makers in the desert, yet nothing was mentioned of them later?
Did they clean up their act? Did they die out?
-3
votes
1answer
67 views
Samaritan Torah and its semantic difference with Rabbinical Torah [closed]
What are the in text semantic differences if any between the Samaritan Torah and the Rabbinical Torah.
Do point out from the text as to how it differs?
5
votes
3answers
159 views
Sadducees and Karaites - same beliefs?
Did the Karaites and the Sadducees believe in the same "Judaism"?
-2
votes
2answers
253 views
Is Reconstructionist Judaism essentially atheistic?
Is Reconstructionist Judaism essentially atheistic? It seems that they treat Judaism as mere "culture" that they should cherish.
In fact, that's what atheism's view is on most religions: that there ...
-3
votes
2answers
239 views
Why does someone wanting to get married need to show an Orthodox ketubah from a maternal ancestor?
My friend is due to get married soon and has been asked by her Orthodox Rabbi to provide proof that she is jewish by showing that she is descended from jews. She doesn't have her parents Ketubah so ...
4
votes
1answer
192 views
What is the difference between Orthodox, Reform and Conservative? (Re: Theology)
I'm asking purely in a da ma l'hoshiv context. I grew up frum (Orthodox) and currently work for a Jewish organization that hires a lot of non-jews as well as Conservative and Reform Jews.
One of the ...
1
vote
2answers
187 views
What happens if someone converts to Judaism and then reverts?
For example if someone in Islam today converted, and tomorrow they return back to any other religion, then:
Crime has been committed.
And must be condemned
His Actions will be punished
Is ...
4
votes
0answers
200 views
How is giyur le’chumra different from a standard conversion in practice?
I am interested to know how giyur le’chumra is different from a standard conversion in practice? Does anyone have any personal experiences?
My understanding of the meaning of giyur le’chumra (from ...
5
votes
1answer
145 views
What forms of evidence do batei din accept to establish that someone is Jewish?
I am interested in the question, what forms of evidence do contemporary Orthodox batei din accept to establish that someone is Jewish? In particular, if you, your parents and grand-parents are ...
4
votes
1answer
112 views
Can a pedestrian cause a Jewish driver to stop for him to cross the road on Shabbat?
In many places Israel [to date], cars are driven by Jewish drivers.[presumably Tinokot Shenishbu]
When crossing the road in Israel on Shabbat :
Can one do so in a way that the driver has to slow ...
4
votes
3answers
239 views
What is the origin for Reform to call their synagogues a “Temple”?
Why does Reform typically call it a Temple, vs a Beit Knesset, a Beit Sefer, or a shul? I imagine the Hebrew would have been the obvious go to, if they chose to ignore the yiddush.
Not that I know ...
13
votes
3answers
339 views
Orthodox Visits to Other Denomination Sanctuaries
Why is it that some people won't set foot in another's sanctuary, even if it was for a non-prayer function? Can an orthodox person be in a reform style temple sanctuary for a lecture or concert? I ...
4
votes
1answer
337 views
Being a houseguest in a non-frum or non-Jewish home
I'm Jewish, so I have to keep many laws in mind. Kashrut, tefillin, yichud, kol isha, and more.
When staying as a houseguest in a non-frum or non-Jewish home, what are some of the issues I might ...
5
votes
2answers
197 views
Why is the Mesillas Yesharim so popular and accepted?
To overgeneralize, I bet there is a copy of the mesillas yesharim in almost every orthodox home, shul and beis medrash. I'm wondering why this work is so popular and accepted.
My wondering is ...
1
vote
0answers
69 views
Kohain marrying divorcee
Can A Kohain marry a woman who had a reform/conservative rabbi officiate her wedding.. but she was divorced by an orthodox rabbi.
Thank you so much in advance
4
votes
1answer
74 views
Bakery workers washing Negel Vasser
In my local bakery there are Jewish non religious workers. Is there a concern that perhaps when they are handling the baked goods they have not washed negel Vasser (morning n'tilas yadayim)?
3
votes
1answer
91 views
Naming after non religious relatives
Is it appropriate to name your children after relatives who were not Frum? Assuming that the relatives were good people and would fall under the category of "tinok sh'nishba". Would it be better to ...
2
votes
2answers
202 views
Saving a Jew's life on Shabbos if s/he does not observe Shabbos
(This question was inspired by my comment on this question - Are you allowed to save a non-Jew's life on shabbos? (The comment is quoted at the bottom of my question.))
R. Simeon b. Menassia is ...
3
votes
7answers
377 views
Hebrew Pronunciation of the Conservative Movement
Why does the Conservative Movement pronounce Hebrew in a quasi-Sephardic pronunciation, even though their engagement in Wissenschaft Des Judentums would have led them to embrace the Yemenite ...
2
votes
2answers
152 views
Can you/should you be blessed by an ignorant/non-orthodox Kohen?
Let's say you are part of a minyan during a holiday like Sukkot. There is only one Kohen present, so he goes up to perform the birchas kohanim. However, you know - either from reliable sources or even ...
5
votes
2answers
352 views
Modesty: What is the difference between Conservative and Modern Orthodox?
What are the differences between female Modern Orthodox/Modern Orthodox Liberal Jews and Conservatives in terms of women's modesty? My question applies both to dress and social interaction - shaking ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
What is the Reconstructionist theology notion of G-d?
I would like to know more about the Reconstructionist theology. What books would be good to know more about this movement, stressing the objectives and consequences of its altered understanding of ...
4
votes
0answers
73 views
Explaining lack of mixed dancing
How do you explain to non-frum relatives why your simcha will have separate dancing?
8
votes
1answer
117 views
Accepting parents' minhagim
Since the Conservative movement tends to take most of its minhagim from the German tradition due to its German roots, most Conservative Jews in America tend to practice the German customs (such as ...
2
votes
2answers
514 views
Differences between Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism
Is there a good reference that gives major differences between the practices of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism?
5
votes
0answers
45 views
Going into Reform Synagogues [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Orthodox Visits to Other Denomination Sanctuaries
I have noticed that in the two years that I have spent in the Jewish community, that Orthodox Jews say that they would ...
5
votes
0answers
65 views
Shomronim and Halakha
Do the Baraitot brought down by Masechet Kutim and other random halachot in the Talmud that were said about "kutim" apply to the 750 remaining Samaritans in the world today (who currently live in ...
3
votes
3answers
370 views
Why isn't there confirmation outside the Reform Movement?
Why don't synagogues of movements other than Reform conduct a Confirmation ritual during the Holiday of Shavuot? Although it is an innovation, it doesn't per se seem so halakhically problematic, ...
2
votes
2answers
136 views
Are conservative, reform and those “off the derech” part of 'amcha'?
There are several commandments that contain the phrase "b'amecha" (or a variation thereof). The gemarah darshans "b'oseh ma'aseh amcha" that those commandments only apply to a Jew who is acting in a ...
6
votes
1answer
227 views
Eating in less-religious homes
May one eat a meal in the home of one who attended yeshiva and who one considers trustworthy vis-a-vis making sure everything is kosher for their guests, however, one is reasonably certain they do not ...
5
votes
3answers
200 views
Davening with an Egalitarian Minyan
I will be participating on a summer program this summer with egalitarian davening, including women leading, laining, having aliyot, etc. Can I respond amen to their brachot? Can I respond to their ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Working with Conservative Jews [closed]
I am working this summer on a Conservative summer program as a staff member. I discussed with the employer issues of me being orthodox (such as egalitarian davening) and we worked out some of these ...
11
votes
3answers
426 views
Inviting a non-observant Jew on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Can I invite a Jew for a meal on Shabbat or Yom Tov if I know they will drive to my house?
4
votes
1answer
76 views
Can I keep money that came into my possession on Shabbat/yom tov?
My family is not frum, and my grandfather gives out money to all the grandchildren at our seder. I refused the money, but my father took it and put it in my room. Can I use this money?
2
votes
0answers
103 views
Receiving dishes from a Jew - toivel (immerse)?
I inherited a set of dishes from a Jew.
I don't know how observant this Jew was.
Do I need to toivel them?
6
votes
1answer
223 views
Should a Jew who doesn't believe in G-d observe the commandments?
In an earlier question, I asked if it was a commandment to believe in G-d. As with so many areas, there were differing opinions. Some of the respondents claimed that there would be no point in being ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
Reaching out to our unaffiliated Jewish brethren [closed]
The "unaffiliated" is the largest growing Jewish denomination. In this editorial article, Reform Rabbi Rick Jacobs criticizes synagogues for not reaching out to them. Is he specifically referring to ...
-4
votes
1answer
117 views
Founders of Jewish movements [closed]
The Baal Shem Tov was the founder of the Hasidic Movement, Rabbi Israel Salanter was the founder of the Musar Movement, and Theodor Herzl was the founder of the Zionist Movement.
What are other ...
9
votes
1answer
164 views
Traditionalist evaluation of the “New American Haggadah”?
One of the hot new offerings in the Haggada market this year is the New American Haggadah by novelists Jonathan Safran Foer and Nathan Englander. It features a new translation by Englander as well as ...
5
votes
2answers
456 views
what percentage of Reform Jews are halachically Jewish?
Was there ever a study done on the percentage of Reform Jews who would be considered Jewish according to Halacha?
10
votes
2answers
161 views
Non-belief in Torah's divinity - Wickedness or Ignorance?
If a Jew breaks halacha because he honestly does not believe that the Torah is G-d's law or that he is obligated it follow it, is his nonconformance with the law considered wickedness or ignorance? ...
3
votes
3answers
436 views
Attending non-frum event
Is it permissible to attend a non-frum event, such as a wedding or bar/bat mitzvah of a family member or friend?
2
votes
3answers
254 views
What is the orthodox view towards the existence of a progressive denomination? [closed]
How did the progressive and orthodox denominations come about?
What is the orthodox view towards the existence of a progressive denomination?
MODERATOR NOTE: The chatting in the comments on this ...
14
votes
7answers
361 views
why half-believe the Torah?
(I'm not sure this is on-topic, and feel free to close it if it's not, of course.)
I understand some who study the Bible claim natural reasons for things we recognize as miracles, from the plagues of ...
