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u/aggie1391 · 10 pointsr/Judaism

Just to start off, its shabbos in much of the world so you won't get so many responses for a bit.

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Lots and lots of people grew up with some Jewish identity, didn't do much, and later became religious. Seriously, its a whole movement. Of course everyone's situation is unique, but you aren't the first to struggle with this kinda thing. Thankfully, that has meant a ton of books and resources for people in your shoes, who want to learn more and do more but didn't grow up with it. Some of the biggest resources online are Aish and Chabad, I just found NJOP but it doesn't have as much on the site.

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Now, as you know, the first step is to find a synagogue. I'd recommend looking for a Chabad or a young adults organization like a Young Jewish Professionals type of thing. They will have lots of classes for people from all sorts of backgrounds and will be super happy to help you find good resources, to teach you, etc. Chabad especially is everywhere, the joke is that only Coca-Cola and Chabad are worldwide. Next weekend is actually The Shabbos Project, which brings together people from all sorts of background to do a shabbos in a community. Actually one of these helped me really finalize my decision to become religious. And there are people here from all over who can recommend places.

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So there are lots of basic books out there. One thing I would definitely recommend is to get a Chumash, I'd recommend the Stone Edition since its the most common but the Steinsaltz one also came out recently. A Chumash has the whole Torah and the Haftorot (the section from the Prophets read in synagogues every shabbos) with commentaries. Both the ones I linked have stuff from all sorts of commentators that help explain the text. One section of Torah is read every week on shabbos, so it makes for a great reading guide.

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A good beginner book is To Be a Jew by Rabbi Hayim HeLevy Dovin. That one is absolutely classic. He also has another one, To Pray as a Jew, that's also excellent. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin also has a great one, Jewish Literacy, that goes through everything from Bible stories and characters to Jewish historical figures and writings. R' Teluskhin has tons of good stuff, I also have his A Code of Jewish Ethics, Jewish Wisdom, and a daily study book The Book of Jewish Values, they are all great learning resources. I'd also recommend Exploring Jewish Tradition, it really gets to the basics of Jewish practices. The 'Jewish Book of Why' set is also good, there are two volumes. There's no need to dive full on into halacha (Jewish law) and like books on Talmud right away, take the basics and then explore what is interesting to you. People sometimes burn out if they try too much too quick, but others love to just jump in full on and learn a bunch really quick (I'm the second but know people in the first category, both are totally ok ways to be).

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If there is any specific thing you would like to read more about, I can recommend more stuff after shabbos. Its only been a year since I decided to become religious so I know the position you are in. And if you have any questions, there are lots of great resources online and lots of knowledgeable people here. Of course, as I'm sure your mother can attest, there are unhealthy Jewish communities. But I firmly believe for every bad one there are far more great ones. I'm pretty new to it but the couple places I have been are both very welcoming and I have made friends from most of the major areas. It does not have to be suffocating, and there's nothing wrong with learning and doing more at your own pace. If its ever too much, slow down and reassess before jumping in further. If you listen to what your neshama (soul) is saying it'll guide you right!

u/carrboneous · 3 pointsr/Judaism

I strongly advise that you don't do Daf Yomi. You should at least develop proficiency in gemora first, and before that you should at least become proficient in mishna. You can't really work through a gemora (and remember what you've learned) if you're covering a daf a day. It's definitely not a starting point. (Also, I would advise buying one volume at a time, as needed, rather than the whole set. But if you can afford the whole set, more power to you. It's a good thing to own).

I highly recommend a thorough study of Pirkei Avot as a starting point.

I haven't learned it myself, but Ein Yaakov is a renowned compilation of aggadata with commentary. I love the Maharal's derech in learning Aggadata, but it's not a place to start.

For an easy and thorough grounding in some fundamental concepts, I don't think the Nineteen Letters can be beaten (I several editions on Amazon, but I'm not sure who translated them. The only translations I know of are one from 1899 and this one. This has notes which are not necessary to understand it, but are valuable both to understanding the text and in themselves).

Advice for books is really, first and foremost, to learn something that draws you and speaks to you, and secondly something that you will be able to maintain. If you have ideas about this and want specific suggestions, I would love to help, but I don't believe that there are any essentials that everyone must learn. It has to be suitable for your personal style.

Besides for a chavrusa, I would also highly recommend a shiur and a fixed schedule (it doesn't have to be a big schedule — even 15 minutes once a week or five minutes a day — but obviously the more you can manage, the better (within reason, of course)).

I don't know how to learn Hebrew. What Hebrew I do know, I learned mostly from learning texts with a dictionary and/or chavrusa

Some general advice: I'm certainly not discouraging you, but it's important to pace yourself. For sustainable and lasting spiritual growth, you should focus on one small step at a time, and not focusing too much on the end goal (eg "to become a baal teshuva"). If you want to learn, or if some other mitzvah appeals to you, by all means take that on, and then when it's comfortable, take another... but don't worry about where it will lead you. Similarly in learning, rather commit to a little less than you're sure you can handle and build incrementally on that than risk biting off more than you can chew. I don't mean to discourage you at all, and I wish you the greatest success in your learning :)

u/gdhhorn · 2 pointsr/Judaism

>I wouldn't have thought the Sufism of Rabbeinu Avraham Ben HaRambam would be a neat fit, but I haven't really studied his works at all

I think if you read the More Nevukhim with Hamadpiq le-Ovdei Hashem (The Guide to Serving God, by R. Abraham ben Harambam), there is a clear picture about the purpose of the mitzvoth, which is perfecting the self and society, and to encounter the divine in this world (i.e. "nevoua"). That ties in with both Shaddal's view that compassion is the divine trait the Torah means to instill and Benamozegh's universality in what he calls "Hebraism." I'm sure people would disagree with my take away.

>Benamozegh I've heard before but don't really know anything about

Israel and Humanity is the work that encapsulates his worldview.

>Sabato Morais not at all

He was the minister of Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, one of the founders of JTS (at the time, an Orthodox institution), the only Orthodox rabbi to support Abolition, and a major proponent of Sephardic religious Humanism. He was also Livornese, like Benamozegh.

>Shadal I feel I know something about, but perhaps not very much.

I suggest Compassionate Judaism, which is a study of Shaddal's thought.

>Lol, that's a fun mix of cultures, I like the idea of humans beating the boxes and labels. African ancestry, S&P minhagim but Teimani nusach (and it seems you draw from the rest of the spectrum of 'Sephardim' too) and now you're culturally yekke and a fan of Hirsch? If anyone still thinks they can put you in a simple box... (Aside from Jewish, which perhaps includes all these for each person.) Hope this isn't offensive in any way.

The Portiguese and Yemenite have to do with the history of Judaism in West Africa and the diaspora. I've spent a lot of time studying both African-American religious use of Judaism and historically documented communities.

The German thing is just due to my approach to services (mainly Shabbat and Yom Tov): begin on time, comport yourself with dignity, for the love of all that's holy, don't rush through prayers; I enjoy the ceremony of it all. And of course, TIDE. The Portuguese rite, like the German, is formal, even the hazzanut leans toward Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. Both Portuguese and German rites are very western, and when if you compare them to their respective eastern counterparts, I think you'd see why the Germans are the Portuguese Ashkenazim and the Portuguese the German Sephardim.

And no, I'm not offended at all.

u/avazah · 1 pointr/Judaism

Don't drive yourself too crazy about it. I went in full speed and spent many boring shabbos days by myself with nothing to do because I didn't live near a shul or other Jews. No reason to go in 100% at first, especially if you are a convert-to-be so there's no actual prohibition for you now. If you can go to a synagogue, do so! Don't stress about not knowing what is going on, just go and listen and absorb the atmosphere.

My recommendation is to focus on the spirit of Shabbat rather than the nitty-gritty, especially for the first time. Light your Shabbat candles at the right time, crack open a bottle of wine, have some bread, eat some dinner, and read read read. You are starting to observe Shabbat but aren't sure all of the details, so might I suggest a book about Shabbat observance? The Sabbath by Heschel is also a beautiful poetic book about Shabbat that may help you get into the spirit of it. To Be A Jew, To Pray as a Jew, and Becoming a Jew are all great beginner books, the last geared towards converts. They all explain various aspects and details of observance, including Shabbat observance. You say you've read all you can, but these books all include very detailed information on exactly the timeline of events.

Since I became observant with no synagogue nearby, I found my Shabbat mornings to be much more meaningful when I would go outside to pray (in whatever capacity I was able-- either in Hebrew or English or just from the heart). There is something lovely about the Californian sunshine in that regard, I guess! Shabbat days are really long and boring by yourself, and I'd have non-Jewish friends come visit me and we'd take walks or just hang out in the backyard. I wouldn't do anything I'm not allowed, and they would obviously do whatever. We just wouldn't pick our activities as anything electronic-based, money-based, etc.

I wouldn't worry too much about details like blessings unless you want to say them in English. I felt really awkward doing that at first, but maybe you won't. If you know something isn't allowed, try not to do it. If you know something isn't allowed but it's really a burden and taking away from the spirit of Shabbat this weekend (like you left your bedroom light on), deal with it, but acknowledge that when you are 100% shabbat observant you can't do that. No reason to be miserable your very first Shabbat, or maybe you'll get a bad impression :) It gets easier the more comfortable you are with it. Depending on how this week goes, next week, add one or two more observances.

To answer your question about specific dinners, well, my husband and I eat anything on Shabbat. We are not stringent to only eat meat or fish, so sometimes we eat dairy. To me, the food you have on Shabbat should be a delight, something you are excited to eat or something you don't eat often. We make very normal typical dinners, usually, and I never ever make cholent or most of the 'traditional' foods. This week (for just the 2 of us) I am making shredded chicken build-your-own tacos for dinner and a big pasta salad full of lots and lots of veggies and grilled chicken for lunch. When we have company, it would be more traditional a meat-starch-2 or 3 vegetable meal.

If you have any more specific questions, I'd be happy to answer as someone who has kind of been there and done that!

u/[deleted] · 7 pointsr/Judaism

Do you have access to the goat necessary for entering the covenant? A sheep can work but the goat would be best.

Seriously though, the fact you have family that is practicing already puts you at an advantage. I'd get into contact with them and visit them on holidays and ask them for advice. They can be really supportive in this.

In terms of basics, there are some solid books that are great for breaking down the topic.

Essential Judaism is a great book for basics. It explains historical, cultural, and common practices in a way which anyone can understand. It's a solid book for filling gaps.

I don't know if you live near a synagogue but if you have access to one I would suggest possibly speaking with the Rabbi there. A Rabbi can be a great resources if you ever need some direction or guidance. Family is great but the Rabbis can sometimes direct you to useful resources. (study programs and so on)

u/smokesteam · 2 pointsr/Judaism

I understand some of your situation pretty well. I came from a background of no religion at all and a negative feeling of what I thought organized religion was about before becoming a Jew. Also my wife came from a very traditional Buddhist background before becoming a Jew and she also shared concerns about this "getting in the way of a normal life".

The rabbi we first met with insisted that if I was interested in the conversion process that even before starting I had to bring her to meet with him because so much of being a Jew is family oriented so if I wanted to do this, his condition was that we both had to learn. He happens to be Conservative but of the old school variety, closer to what we would now call Modern Orthodox. The thing was that I was very fortunate that my wife was at least willing to learn with me for the sake of learning what this thing I was interested in was about. Even more fortunately she came to her own conclusion that this was for her as well. I cant say if this will be the same for you and your partner or not, but if you two communicate well then perhaps they may be willing as my wife was to see what is what just because it is important to you. As it turns out we ended up affiliating with the local Orthodox community as time went on but thats another story.

The books LazarA mentioned are all great. All I might add would be:

  • God, Jews & History by Max Dimont. This is not a religious text per se but gives a decent overview of our history as a people in context of where we have been. Being a Jew isnt just about religious practice, its about being part of a people with a complex history and that history has very much shaped our practice.

  • To Be a Jew by Hayim H. Donin was a decent overview as I recall. It covered about the events of the Jewish calendar and lifecycle among other topics.

    If you live in an area with several types of Jewish communities, I'd say meet with several rabbis if possible. Even you think now that you might look at Conservative Judaism, there's a range within that as well as within Orthodoxy and I assume but dont know for myself about the other flavors as well.

    Feel free to ask us here any and I do mean any questions you may have as well. I'm also available to answer questions by PM as I'm sure are several other of the regulars here in case you feel you dont want to ask in public. You may get conflicting answers but that is perfectly normal. We have a saying to the effect of if you ask two Jews you will get three opinions.
u/DingDongInDaPingPong · 6 pointsr/Judaism

So you're legally Jewish. Welcome to the tribe.


Shabbos is still on so you're going to get more answers in a short while. Don't feel weird, a few of us roam the chats on Shabbos.


>I am familiar with the Tanakh, since I read the Old Testament as a Christian.

So the Old Testament of the Christian bible is an entirely different beast from the Tanakh.

Some of the translations are corrupted in the Christian version and they are only using half of the actual document.

The Torah is comprised of two documents. The first half is the Written Torah which are the stories that most people are familiar with. The second half is the Oral Torah. This encompasses all of the Rabbinical commentaries and interpretations and guidelines which establish Jewish philosophy and practice.

The Christians are using half of a document so you actually have a lot of stuff you look into. You'll be fine though, it's reading and study and discussion with Jewish leaders. Nothing you can't handle.

Sefaria.org is a great online resource
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It contains a vast amount of Jewish religious texts which you can access online. It's great if you can't get your hands on a physical book to study.

I'm going to suggest a shortlist of books and some online materials which I think will really help you out in establishing a foundation of Jewish knowledge. I used this myself when I got into Judaism in college. They are really helpful.

  1. Essential Judaism: Updated Edition: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs & Rituals - This is a great book for establishing basic knowledge of Jews ideas and concepts and creating a foundation to build off of.

  2. Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice - This book is within the same theme as the first with a few different bits of information for study. Both are great options to read and build yourself up with. I own both, myself.

  3. Hidabroot TV (YouTube Channel) is a Jewish online video resource for studying Jewish concepts and philosophies. These are great if you have 10 or 15 minutes to kill and want to use it to study a Jewish idea. They have great topics from respected and knowledgable Rabbis and leaders.

    This is a great way to just "wet your feet in the Mikvah" so to speak. It's all easily digestible and accessible information which you can access on your own at your own schedule.

    I would do the basic research yourself and allow this to buildup and digest for a month or so before you finally decide to visit the synagogue. The Rabbis can help you in correctly executing Jewish practice and taking on more advanced levels of knowledge.

    You shouldn't do that until you feel comfortable though. There's no need to rush it unless you feel totally ready and prepared. They're cool people and they'll be extremely pleased to see someone took an interest in their history.

    Also remember something
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    There are going to be a lot of people who try and drag you down their specific path of Judaism. Some of these will be Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or something in-between.

    You're part of this regardless of your observance level. Observance is important but it doesn't dictate your Jewish status. Once you're born of a Jewish mother, you're 100% Jewish regardless. No one can argue otherwise.

    I don't want you to allow someone else to dictate your Jewish experience. There are a lot of different Jews and they all have their own ideas and philosophies about proper observance. Do not allow anyone to drag you down a path you are uncomfortable with.

    I run Orthodox/Conservadox, myself, but you may not be Orthodox. You define your Jewish experience. No one else gets to do that beyond sharing their opinion with you.

    Blessings and enjoy the ride. It's a cool thing to be a part of.
u/LazerA · 3 pointsr/Judaism

As other commenters have already pointed out, if your mother is a Jew than you are a Jew as well (and, as you are a woman, so will be your children), regardless of your religious affiliation.

If you wish to embrace Judaism, your first priority has to be to educate yourself as much as possible about Judaism. Unfortunately, this is not all that easy to do. The bulk of the popular material available - both in print and online - is unreliable, superficial, or not really geared towards genuine newcomers.

There are a few good books available for beginners. (Most of the popular books that will come up on Amazon or that you will find on the Judaica shelf at your local Barnes & Noble are not reliable.) One popular book that I know to be reliable is Gateway to Judaism: The What, How, and Why of Jewish Life by Rabbi Mordechai Becher. I would also recommend a few of the books by the later Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, specifically the two volumes of the Aryeh Kaplan Anthology and the Aryeh Kaplan Reader. The Anthology is a collection of short works written specifically for beginning students, and the Reader contains a number of similar pamphlet type essays written for such an audience.

However, the most important part of educating yourself about Judaism is to get a knowledgeable personal mentor. You might want to check out these two organizations:

Torah Mates: www.torahmates.org

Partners in Torah: www.partnersintorah.org

Both of these organizations provide a free mentoring service. They will match you up with a knowledgeable personal teacher who will study with you over the phone at your convenience (usually people study for about half an hour each week). They will also provide you with whatever book you chose to study with your partner.

I currently volunteer for Torah Mates and I used to volunteer for Partners in Torah as well (several years ago) and I can vouch for the quality work these organizations do. If you would like any specific assistance in this area, please feel free to PM me.

u/SF2K01 · 1 pointr/Judaism

>I think Gordimer has been pretty on point throughout these back and forths...

Others have taken him to task for various incidents of hypocritical dishonesty and misrepresentation of the sources and quotes, but Cross-Currents's goal is to present a very right wing viewpoint for a right wing audience (preaching to the choir to make the choir feel better about itself), not honest discourse.

>both this and maharat.... It is making me nuts to see the face of modern orthodoxy attempt to maintain such weak and secular based positions.

YCT is not actually Modern Orthodoxy. They have labeled themselves Open Orthodoxy and broken away from mainstream Modern Orthodoxy, but for our purposes let's consider it "left wing" Modern Orthodoxy while YU is the "right wing" of Modern Orthodoxy. I'm not such a fan of YCT overall in a number of things, but there are ways to defend much of what they do/believe.

>one is that it's ideal, superior to chareidi judaism for those who can handle it...

This is a considerable misunderstanding. I recommend reading Rabbi Lamm's Torah Umadda if you want to get a sense of where Modern Orthodoxy is really coming from.

>That it's for you if your character is strong enough...

This is true of any movement really. I can say the same for Reform and I can say the same for Lakewood guys. Anyone who thinks about the movement they belong to and doesn't just float around the community because that's what they're used to.

>The other is that it's for people who are inclined to be religious, but do not have the devotion to do it 'all the way' as the chareidim do. That they are less devoted and conflicted....

Doesn't sound like you've met the devoted of Modern Orthodoxy. They're quite devoted, religious and spiritual, but there is a greater openness to modernity and secular culture. That doesn't mean that it is held above Torah, but the belief in a synthesis is part of the movement.

The other side of things of course is that Modern Orthodoxy embraces the people who aren't observant in a way that more right wing movements can't and won't (with the exception of Chabad) so they stick around rather than disappearing or being hidden. In more right wing expressions there is simply no place for such people, so they fall off the map, rather than remain a part of the community.

>it seems like their agenda is set from the talking points of secular (and in most cases atheist) academia,

The fact that many scientists are atheist has very little relevance beyond ad hominem to discuss what their findings are worth and how they impact our views regarding religion.

>focusing primarily and feminist issues...

A movement where women play a more prominent role (for a host of reasons beyond feminism) will naturally have more of an interest in women's issues. The fact that this is presented as a negative alongside atheism and heresy is part of the problem.

>with some heresy tossed in...

Please point out anything inherently heretical in Modern Orthodoxy and what basis you have to call it such. There are many things that are interpreted as heretical by more right wing movements, but the fact is that their ideas of what constitute heresy are really just anything that is outside their own modern viewpoint, even if it comes from Torah itself.

u/SabaziosZagreus · 3 pointsr/Judaism

"The Jew in the Lotus: A Poet's Rediscovery of Jewish Identity in Buddhist India" by Rodger Kamenetz was an absolutely wonderful book. It chronicles the first (known) meeting between a Jewish delegation and the Dalai Lama. So in this way, it's a thrilling adventure of historic importance. At the same time, Kamenetz (a non-observant Jew) finds himself finding a deeper connection to Judaism as he interacts with the rabbis he's traveling with and the Buddhists he meets.

If you're interested in Jewish mysticism, "The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism" by Daniel C. Matt is a great and poetic translation of some primary sources. For the Hasidic movement, Elie Wiesel has a beautiful collection of legends titled, "Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of the Hasidic Masters." "Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism" by Howard Schwartz is a great book on Jewish mythical stories found in ancient Jewish texts and folklore. If you want something completely different "Jewish Magic and Superstition" by Joshua Trachtenberg is an amazing (if somewhat dry) book on this strange and magical Jewish sect that flourished in the Rhineland from the 12th through 13th centuries (and it's available for free!). Also, Rabbi Arthur Green has written a book called "Radical Judaism" on utilizing ancient (primarily mystical) sources to recenter Judaism in the modern era. Green's book is somewhat fun, but frivolous and controversial times.

If you're interested in fiction, I cannot recommend "The Golem and the Jinni" enough. The author, Helene Wecker, draws on her (Jewish) family's immigrant stories and also those of her husband's (Syrian Christian) family. It's a book about the immigrant experience in New York City at the turn of the century. However, the main characters are not members of these communities, but creatures of their folklores. A golem (Chava) is brought to life, and is forced to not just acclimate herself to American culture, but also humanity as well. Meanwhile, a jinni (Ahmad) likewise finds himself released (but bound) in New York City. He's forced to adjust to the present rather than dwell on his majestic past (like a formerly wealthy immigrant who finds himself a pauper in his new home). It's truly a great book.

u/ummmbacon · 8 pointsr/Judaism

cRc standards? Star-K? There are a few, most of it is minor but you should know them and know what applies for you. Also, your community minhag may also dictate some of these things.

For example, some allow using the same dishwasher for meat/dairy since the water isn't yad soledes bo and there is an agent like lye (mentioned in S"A) in use.

>What basics do I need?

Depends on how often you eat various items, I very, very rarely eat meat so I have very few meat items for example.

But I have a large variety of parve items.

Overall you will want separate kli rishonim for meat/dairy/parve but not like 1:1:1, since you will cook different things in them. Also sponges and scrapers and serving utensils.

I would walk through a typical menu for you and see what works, like do you only have a dairy pot for vegetables or other sides and will that come to be a problem when you are making a meat meal?

Since I mainly eat parve I can duplicate a lot of my dairy since it isn't usually an issue. I have an instapot and I have 3 interior pots/liners/steam catchers for Shabbat meals.

You will also want knives for cutting that are parve/dairy/meat this is a fantastic meat knife and is really cheap and all the chef's I know recommend it. It's great for chopping/cutting.

You might also want to check out the books Kosher Kitchen which talks a lot about the details, but your community might be more lenient than that book in some places here and there.

But overall I'd go through and start with thinking about how you want to use your kitchen then apply the rules of kashrut and see if it is an issue.

Also, get some heat resistant color tape, so you can correctly label your items.

At some point, you might also look at if your stove/other items can be kashered for Pesach and if you need like a sperate burner just for Pesach (I have to do this since my place has a glass stove top)

u/ShamanSTK · 1 pointr/Judaism

Feel free to ask any questions and I'll answer those that I can, and Deuteronomy will answer the one's I can't. If you really want to get a really good grasp of Jewish ethics and thought, I would recommend Aryeh Kaplan's Handbook of Jewish Thought. For an intro into Jewish practice, I recommend Gateway to Judaism. Both are very accessible and are very good primers. The handbook in particular is a very good source for sources. It is very well cited and provides a very good jumping off point for deeper research.

u/Monkeyhalevi · 2 pointsr/Judaism

Not exactly, see below. The short answer is the ten commandments.

If you want a REALLY good primer on Jewish values, beliefs, and thoughts, take a look at the following:

Jewish Wisdom

Jewish Literacy

Jewish Values

A Code of Jewish Ethics

Chaim Halevi Donin's books

Between R. Telushkin and R. Donin you will get a very comprehensive intro to Judaism. I have personally read at least 6 of the 9 or so books posted here, and have found both to be exceptionally well written and informative. R. Telushkin is a personal favorite of mine, and I think he nails it every time, not only in terms of accuracy and quality of writing, but in making it actually enjoyable to read. Aka, when I sit down with one of his books, I will clear easily 600 to 800 pages a day.

Hope that helps!

u/Deuteronomy · 3 pointsr/Judaism

> Why are customs the way they are?

It would depend on which specific custom you had in mind. Many practices are quite a bit more than "custom" actually, and are required as a matter of Halakha. The two major classes of Halakha are biblical (d'oraisa) and rabbinic (d'rabanan).

> How come people who leave Judaism do not talk about it?

There are people who unfortunately leave Judaism and are rather vocal about it... however if I wanted to generalize about those who refrain and/or evade discussion of Judaism, I'd say most likely they were stigmatized in some way and that the same reasons they sought to abandon Judaism in the first place is the same reasons they seek to avoid discussing it in the present. It probably brings up memories and emotions that they find too painful to confront within themselves.

> I want to know the deeper meaning behind everything... Just anything and everything.

A proselyte once asked Rabbi Hillel (c.110 BCE) to teach him the entire Torah whilst standing on one foot... God-willing with patience and time you will come to understand quite a bit in greater depth :)

> Why do some families keep kosher and some do not.

With the advent of the Haskalah (the Jewish Enlightenment) in the 18th/19th c. many Jews for the first time had the doors of Western society open to their integration. Many Jews seeking acceptance simply abandoned Judaism altogether, others sought to reform Judaism in order to facilitate greater acceptance within modern society without given up everything (this is where the origins of most of the liberal denominations can be traced back to). Accordingly during this period many Jews stepped away from Judaism's traditional practices, including the dietary laws. This in addition to the eventual deep and profound trauma of the Holocaust which has contributed to the face of modern Jewry largely not reflect the practices of their ancestors.

> Wikipedia has not been helpful at all.

Unless you have a very specific topic in mind, wikipedia can indeed be too daunting a source to get any kind of real comprehensive view. A general introductions to Judaism can be found in Hayim Halevi Donin's book "To Be A Jew: A Guide To Jewish Observance In Contemporary Life." I've heard that it is very good and very accessible (an easy read). I see that you can find used copies on Amazon for as little as a penny! A work like this or something of a similar nature would probably be the best place for you to start. If you read something you don't understand there, or would like to understand in greater depth, feel free to let us know :)

u/YordeiHaYam · 2 pointsr/Judaism

What stream of Judaism interests you? Or do you not know? Either way, a good starting point is Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's book Jewish Literacy.

Assuming you're interested in Orthodoxy, you will need to know (at least) about day-to-day ritual activities such as prayer and blessings, the basics of keeping the Sabbath, and the various festivals and how they are observed. You will need to show commitment to Judaism and to developing ties with the Jewish community.

You will also frequently be asked why you want to be Jewish, so that's another thing to "know" (although you need your own answer for this). Some (very) basic conception of Jewish dogma is generally required, but it is important to note that we're an action-packed religion to a large extent.

You will also need to make a commitment to Torah study; especially if you are a male.

This can take as little as a year or it may take several years, depending on your pace and the rabbi and conversion court (בית דין) that you go through.

For further questions and support along the way, you may be interested in /r/Giyur .

u/attitudegratitude · 0 pointsr/Judaism

> I've only been a handful of times but if I could go ever Shabbat I would!


That’s an awesome attitude. You absolutely should contact him then , I can’t imagine the Rabbi would say no.

Thank G-d for Artscroll! There is a book you might be interested in https://www.amazon.com/Pray-As-Jew-Synagogue-Service/dp/0465086330 which explains what’s going on during a service. I read it early on in BTing and it certainly made me more comfortable in the synagogue.

u/tropicalpuffin · 1 pointr/Judaism

Congratulations on observing kashrut!

Rice and veggies, wraps, so many options! I recommend looking through food blogs to get ideas, and then if the recipe needs it- make it kosher!

One great kosher food blog I love is Kosher in the Kitch

also, if you need any more information on the laws of Kashrut, or a good guide (as it can be confusing at times), here are two:
How to Keep Kosher

The Kosher Kitchen

u/cmunk13 · 5 pointsr/Judaism

The first Hebrew primer is the bulk of our class. We have been using third edition because it also has flash cards, an answer key, and a boatload of other add ons I highly recommend.

Teach yourself to read hebrew is super helpful for pronunciation and it comes with an audio book you can purchase on Audible. I highly recommend the audio book.

A lot of people in my class use this cheat sheet. I personally don't like it, but if you like cheat sheets it's super helpful.

Lastly Quizlet is full of free flash card sets of Hebrew words, it's my go to for practicing words besides the word flash cards First Hebrew Primer has.

u/maimonides · 1 pointr/Judaism

I always recommend Robert Alter's The Five Books of Moses: A Translation with Commentary. It is a beautiful translation that's meant for people interested in the Bible as literature, and he keeps very true to the original Hebrew.

For example:

>When God began to create heaven and earth, and the earth then was welter and waste and darkness over the deep and God’s breath hovering over the waters, God said, “Let there be light.”

u/Ajfried22 · 6 pointsr/Judaism

>How is that possible?

Israeli beer. Kashrus info etc.

>go to synagogue coz you haven't been there for year" or what?

I'll tell you that.

>What to do?

Go to shul. Daven, do mitzvos, learn torah. Drink a peach snapple. I love Peach.

>Is it possible for Hashem to give us signs in modern times? Or only Prophets were able to see them? Like Salomon for example.

It all happened so you could post this on reddit, and become closer to Hashem.


Recommended Reading:

To Be A Jew: A Guide To Jewish Observance In Contemporary Life

On Judaism: Conversations on Being Jewish

Judaism for the Rite Reasons

Becoming a Jew

This Is My God

There are two amazing resources available to help you.

TorahMates and Partners in Torah.

Do not hesitate to make use of them.

And stick around this awesome sub!

u/Theinternetisassur · 3 pointsr/Judaism

>I'm half-Jewish

No such thing. Either Jewish or not.

> my mother being secular but ethnically Jewish.

Jewishness is passed strictly along the maternal line. Was her mother Jewish also? If so you are 100% Jewish.

> I'm eager to find more of a connection with Judaism and Jewish history


Recommended Reading:

To Be A Jew: A Guide To Jewish Observance In Contemporary Life

On Judaism: Conversations on Being Jewish

Judaism for the Rite Reasons

Becoming a Jew

This Is My God
>Would people raised with more of a connection to the community and the faith find it unusual or inappropriate that someone like me might take interest or identify with the Jewish community?

Nope, happens all the time.

Check out Torah Mates, and Partners in Torah.

u/TheGuyWithTheBalloon · 5 pointsr/Judaism

How beginner are we talking, and how hard do you want to jump in?

Artscroll's The Kosher Kitchen is a great overview and breakdown of the complex halachos involved. Here is the CRC's guide for kashering a kitchen. You can also get in touch with you local Chabad, and they'll usually be happy to come out and kasher everything for you.

If you're tight for space, it might be best to pick a gender to preference. I'm lactose intolerant, so when I was short on space, I only had a few dairy utensils and everything else was meat. Once everything is kashered, it's much easier.

u/n_ullman176 · 3 pointsr/Judaism

The Artscroll Chumash (first 5 books of the Tanakh, a.k.a. the written Torah) /u/PM_ME_YOUR_TZITZIS mentioned is the gold standard of the Orthodox world. If you want a translation, and more importantly, a commentary with a traditional perspective get Artscroll.

On the other hand if you're looking for a more liberal / academic view check out Richard Elliot Friedman's Chumash. There might be better liberal / academic chumashim out there though, I'm really not sure.. maybe wait and see what others recommend in the way of liberal commentaries if that's what you're looking for.

Just want to emphasize that to understand Judaism you'll be infinitely better off with a Chumash (first 5 books with a commentary) than a Tanakh (first 5 + 19 additional books for a total of 24) without commentary.

u/Boredeidanmark · 1 pointr/Judaism

I thought that orthodox accept conservative conversions, but not reform. I'm familiar with the conversion process. Two book that I would recommend, which might be helpful in your journey, are To Life! and To Be A Jew. Hope this helps!

u/gruntel28 · 2 pointsr/Judaism

see Gateway to Judaism by Rabbi Mordechai Becher. specifically made for people like you https://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Judaism-What-Jewish-Life/dp/1422600300 a good foundation book is also "Duties of the Heart" by Rabeinu Bachya. there's an online translation for free.

u/juden-shikker · 4 pointsr/Judaism

>However, several people have told me that I would never "truly" be accepted as a jew due to my not having been raised in the culture.

This is not true.


> Also where are good places to get further information on conversion

The side bar FAQ


This reading list is pretty good but overwhelming


>but would like more practical info

To be a Jew is a good place to start and you can get a copy for four dollars after shipping from Amazon (not to mention it's probably in your local library)

u/genuineindividual · 1 pointr/Judaism

The two best books on this subject, IMO, are:

The Great Partnership: http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Partnership-Science-Religion/dp/0805243011/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0F6V6MAAKJEZ2BNHBKFA. This speaks on a more philosophical level how science and Torah complement each other.

The Challenge of Creation: http://www.amazon.com/Challenge-Creation-Encounter-Cosmology-Evolution/dp/9652295949/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395243512&sr=1-1. This goes through a myriad of traditional Torah sources to show that Torah-observant Jews have nothing to fear from science.

u/Elementarrrry · 17 pointsr/Judaism

It helps to have more specific questions, but of course, having specific questions usually requires some basic level of knowledge.

jewfaq.org is pretty good. we have some decentish resources in our wiki. there's a judaism stackexchange, but like stackexchange as a whole it tends a bit towards elitist, high-level, and unfriendly to beginners.

The standard book recommendations when this situation comes up is To Be a Jew and Jewish Literacy.

Also possibly relevant, depending on your tastes, This is My God by Herman Wouk. Was reminded of this book by this Ask the Rabbi, which also recommends Partners in Torah -- possibly relevant, depending on your level of investment in learning more (sets you up with a weekly study partner)

---

did a quick google, this looks relevant: https://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/found-out-jewish-ancestry-in-20s

So does the book Suddenly Jewish, which I found via this article

oh and there's this post from a day ago: judaism for beginners

---

also, for your perusal, the search results for "found out jewish" on this sub

u/fx-86BR · 4 pointsr/Judaism

Hi there, one of the books I had to read before enrolling in the conversion process was one called "Becoming a Jew" from a rabbi called Maurice Lamm. It's available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Jew-Maurice-Lamm/dp/0824603508

Other than that there are many videos on YouTube that may clarify some of the points in your journey. The Rabbi John Carrier who happens to have a YouTube channel is a great resource of knowledge plus he has live streams during the week where one can ask him questions and look for guidance. Best wishes!

u/Casual_Observer0 · 1 pointr/Judaism

Having a Chumash is a good start. Artscroll's good for that. You won't be disappointed. That's what's read weekly with enough commentary to whet your palate.

Edit, getting an inexpensive basic Hebrew English Tanakh would be good to have to look up the rest of the Bible. Like https://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-English-Tanakh-Jewish-Publication-Society/dp/0827607660/

u/not-throwaway · 6 pointsr/Judaism

Personally I'd just recommend picking up a copy of Jewish Literacy. It's very large but very readable. Covers many different areas. Great place to start. You might be able to find it in a library as well depending on your location.

http://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Literacy-Revised-Ed-Important/dp/0061374989/

u/Luzzatto · 1 pointr/Judaism

/u/casabolg, generally the outlook toward other religions in Kabbala is the same as it is in most of Judaism. However, there is also a strain of Kabbalistic thought on this question, unique to it as a Jewish genre which is distinctly universalistic in its approach to other religions. If you're interested in it: check out the work of R. Elie Benamozegh, specifically his Israel and Humanity. In it, he puts forward an understanding of certain Kabbalistic ideas that leads to seeing all religions as having shared truths and that all are manifesting the same underlying reality in different ways.

In contemporary Jewish thought, R. Adin Steinsaltz has picked up on a lot of R. Benamozegh's ideas and integrated them into his own theological discussions, such as The Thirteen Petalled Rose

u/IbnEzra613 · 6 pointsr/Judaism

I recommend the ArtScroll Stone Chumash. It's just the Five Books of Moses, but they are the most important ones. It has a really good English commentary anthologized from traditional sources.

u/RtimesThree · 1 pointr/Judaism

When I read this the most obvious thing was that it was just a Chumash, an Artscroll one or something. Clearly his mom didn't buy him a legitimate Torah scroll. This sounds like exactly the kind of thing a relative would gift to someone getting into Judaism.

u/Grapefruit__Juice · 2 pointsr/Judaism

To Pray as a Jew, by Hayim Donin. Concentrates on synagogue prayer/ritual, but very rich with information. I continually return to it.

u/TheChaiLife · 3 pointsr/Judaism

Might I recommend https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Literacy-Revised-Ed-Important/dp/0061374989.

It's an encyclopedia with short blurbs on the Jewish religion, people, and history. Reading through it will give you a great breadth of knowledge related to Judaism.

u/Zel606 · 2 pointsr/Judaism

'To pray as a Jew' teaches one how to pray, same author as 'to be a Jew,' which I also highly recommend for anyone toying with (or intent upon) becoming Jewish.

It's also required reading for many Beit dins.

u/YidItOn · 6 pointsr/Judaism

Rabbi Slifkin's The Challenge of Creation goes in-depth over how evolution fits perfectly fine into Judaism from an Orthodox perspective.

u/bbenja4 · 4 pointsr/Judaism

The Jewish Publication Society version is very good English translation. The foot notes are very helpful. They also have a bilingUAL edition.

u/PotassiumArsenic · 2 pointsr/Judaism

I think converts should read works from all across the Jewish perspective. Especially the "very different sort."

How else is anyone supposed to know what they believe if they don't know or understand what they don't? It's not an informed decision if you're not informed.

On that note...

Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Persepctive.

Choosing a Jewish Life (liberal, leaning Reform)

To Pray as a Jew (Orthodox)

OP: Go wild. Read across the spectrum. Read things you agree with and things you don't. Read stuff you don't understand yet. Ask questions about what you read. Read, read, read!

u/gikatilla · 1 pointr/Judaism

The New Jewish Publication Society (NJPS) translation is probably the best, although it too has some flaws. You can find it here

 

If you're looking for a book that's meant to introduce someone to the Hebrew Bible (and not a translation per se), then check out Rabbi Telushkin's Biblical Literacy

u/ajmarks · 1 pointr/Judaism

^ This so much. Also, another great introductory book is Joseph Telushkin's Jewish Literacy.

u/Animaamin · 1 pointr/Judaism

Modern orthodoxy is mostly based on Tum

Torah U'madda- founded by R' Nochum Lamm read his book describing it.


You might also like Torah Im Derech Eretz- founded Rav Shampson Rafael Hirsch, I recommend his Nineteen letters.

u/g3n3ricz3r0 · 3 pointsr/Judaism

One of the most comprehensive and well written books is "Jewish Literacy" by Joseph Telushkin.

u/gingeryid · 2 pointsr/Judaism

Then don't get the Koren one people are linking, as it's Hebrew-only.

Here is the Koren Hebrew-English. I would recommend against this fairly strongly, because the translation is bizarre.

The JPS Hebrew-English Pocket Size might be an option, but the font is small (which will always be the case for a Hebrew-English Tanakh under 8") and the softcover easily gets dog-eared. The larger size is much bigger than what you'd be looking for.

Artscroll also has options, one size at 8.5", another at 6".

u/vritsa · 1 pointr/Judaism

Go with the JPS or Artscroll if you want a more classical translation, or go with Alter which is a really nice edition.

u/chutzpantsu · 1 pointr/Judaism

Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin covers pretty much all the basic stuff you should know regarding Jewish traditions and their roots

u/puck342 · 3 pointsr/Judaism

If you want another book to better learn about the Jewish people and our history, read Joseph Telushkin's Jewish Literacy

u/namer98 · 5 pointsr/Judaism

For a scholarly translation: The JPS Study Bible

For a more "traditional" translation, The Artscroll Tanach

However, I need to note that you won't learn about Judaism or Jewish practice from reading the Tanach. I hear Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Telushkin is a very good starting place.

u/benadreti · 3 pointsr/Judaism

These are popular:

Jewish Literacy

Jewish Meditation

Also, many books by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

u/MOE37x3 · 3 pointsr/Judaism

If you're interested in this issue, but can't stomach the idea that God would command you to do something for reasons that you can't comprehend, I recommend that you study some of the other approaches listed (but heretofore ignored by you) in this thread. Read To Be a Jew, Horeb, or R' Hirsch's commentary on Leviticus.

If you can't stomach the idea that God could come up with something that you can't comprehend, then I think your quarrel with Judaism is much larger than just the purpose of dietary laws.

u/blambi · 3 pointsr/Judaism

To be a Jew and maybe Chabad.org are good starting points besides jewfaq.org as SF2K01 said.

Then again there are many different kinds of minhogim etc.

u/David_The_Redditor · 2 pointsr/Judaism

This is the Tanakh I have. I would say it fits the bill for being a good travel size.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0827607660/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wOiWCbECHVC2A

u/leo_poldy · 5 pointsr/Judaism

I like Essential Judaism personally.

This is from a Reform/maybe Conservative viewpoint.

Also, to echo /u/sabata00, you should be talking to Rabbis and going to services. Catholic to Judaism is a paradigm shift (I was born and raised Catholic). PM me if you have any questions!

u/grego23 · 5 pointsr/Judaism

You would probably like Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. I personally found it even more thorough than Essential Judaism.

u/LordMoe · 1 pointr/Judaism

Seems like many have been recommending this

The Chumash: The Stone Edition, Full Size (ArtScroll) (English and Hebrew Edition) The Torah: Haftaros and Five Megillos with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings https://www.amazon.com/dp/0899060145/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.9KxzbP1NBRHJ

u/4cubits · 2 pointsr/Judaism

I would recommend Gateway to Judaism by Mordechai Becher.

u/gershonp · 2 pointsr/Judaism

For a very thorough (and Orthodox) perspective on everything to do with prayer try Donin, To Pray as a Jew. It helped me out back in the day and I think it will answer your questions.

u/JoeFarmer · 1 pointr/Judaism

Thank you! Im looking for the nJPS and I am a little confused. Is nJPS a different publisher than JPS, or is it just JPS's new translation? Is this the one you're referencing?

u/MegillahThriller · 1 pointr/Judaism

My Rabbi recommended me this version of the Torah if you want written explanations.