Aish HaTorah

I presume your "ISR" is for Israel? Are you thinking of a "vav" or a "yod?" And those silly diacritical marks (or lack, thereof) will get you every time. I am definitely NOT on Team Diacritics.

It literally means "G-d contended." The Hebrew word for prince is "sar" or "nagid."

This is quite a lot for me to take in. I will have to try to wrap my mind around that. I appreciate your candor.

Not that so very many of the brave Americans (and others) that fought for freedom and the Jews are passing away, the memories largely pass with them. *My son saw that I was upset typing this, so he started singing the Israeli National Anthem to me. He's a good kid.

What does this adoption entail? What are the "benefits," for lack of a better term?

Ok, whew! I thought it was short for "beef and cheese." Not kosher.

I certainly hope not, for my people's sake. The vast majority of recent presidents/candidates haven't been what I'd call overly pro-Israel, even when they say they are. The media has a very powerful and successful ability to make Westerners see things in the Middle East as something entirely different from actuality. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc. It terrifies me and makes me resolute at the same time. The Shoah isn't currently the historical disaster it once was in people's minds. I weep even thinking about it.

Thank you for that. It doesn't sound like it. Basically, Replacement Theology is a term to describe certain Christian groups that believe that the church (or the New Testament) has replaced Israel in G-d's plan. In other words, The Old Testament was for G-d's people in ancient times (i.e. Jews) and that the New Testament replaces that for Christians.

A bit off topic, but does Replacement Theology fall under the umbrella of LDS dogma? If so, to what extent? Thank you!

May I please ask, what is a "beefche?"

Sounds as though you truly met some winners! I am so sorry that they treated you with such disdain. I am not surprised, however. Sadly, many of my faith tend to act in just such a way to most goyim. I hope that your experience changes with future encounters. G-d bless, my friend.

Shabbat Shalom! May the L-RD bless thee, and keep thee; The L-RD make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The L-RD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee shalom. -Numbers 6: 24-26 May HaShem bless you and your families during the new and glorious week.

HAHA! I just read this AFTER I responded to Lehi.

I CERTAINLY hope not! A bris and a dog go together almost as poorly as a bris and a grizzly bear.

Absolutely!

Shabbat Shalom. The short answer is no, there is no real consensus that I have read in any Talmudic writings regarding the roles. Well, that isn't entirely true. a few have speculated, but I see that as speculation only. As we do not have a central governing body, anything outside of Torah is speculative, even the things which were written by well-respected rabbis and Jewish theologians. The only thing that I have come across over the years resembling an answer is to say that the Jews wish all to have the Light of G-d, no matter their upbringing. We, of course, are not a proselytizing faith by any means. In fact, most (if not all) rabbis are strongly encouraged to discourage any would-be converts from taking the process of conversion...at least three times. If a person is determined, they will be considered and instructed. Once a person has converted to Judaism, they are considered as strong (or stronger) Jews than those born under the covenant. Interestingly (and you probably know this), In Bereshit (Genesis) when Abraham is told he will be made the father of many nations, the Hebrew word used for nations there is goyim...i.e. NON-Jews. In other words, unconditional. Something to chew on. We believe G-d's love and plans are for all of His children. We do not, however, recognize that all people have the same roles to play. I hope that makes sense.

Very interesting. I shall read it, thank you. I have so very much to learn about your beliefs.

I have known a few bubbies that were fur-bearing mammals.

Completely a topic for another thread, but am I reading this correctly? Do you believe that Yeshua would have been born around Pesach (Passover)?

How to Raise a Jewish Dog

Indeed!

This is why many Jews were forced to "mar the corners of [their] beard" as punishment. It was utterly humiliating and disrespectful. Leviticus 19:27.

I do not know you, but your story touched me. It is so easy to feel (unwanted, not good enough, like a failure, guilty, etc., etc.) when things are not going the way that we feel they should. We beat ourselves up. We dust off the box of shoulda coulda wouldas and cradle them almost lovingly. All that I can say, for whatever it is worth, is that you simply cannot do this to yourself. You cannot fix yourself, nor is it your job to. Nor can you fix others. That is G-d's job, and His alone. We have to become slaves not to sin, but to G-d's will for us. He orders our lives just as He orders the universe. He is Adonai HaShalom, the L-rd of Peace, and He will embrace you with the love that only the Creator can. And please, please do not "hate" how you feel. You feel, because you are feeling. There is nothing wrong with feeling, and I despise when people tell me that I shouldn't feel (happy, sad, mad, etc.). Why? We are created in G-d's image, and as such we have the feelings that He gave to us when He spoke us into existence. Remember, G-d only works with broken people. That is all he has with which to work. We are all broken. He loves us anyway. Let go; let G-d. He won't let you down.

Come to think of it, I suppose I would share your proclivity for fear if I were to enter a lot of churches. Like you, I always wish to be respectful of other belief systems. I attended a funeral for the mother of one of my friends once at his church (he is Catholic), and I thought I would have holes burned clear through me with all the stares I received. I just knew they were thinking I was personally responsibility for what happened to Yeshua (Jesus). Ok, this is a bit overly dramatic perhaps, but it is how I felt nevertheless. During visits to other churches, I felt warmly welcomed. Perhaps it just depends on a person's faith and upbringing.

That's impressive! And itchy, I'd imagine.