Good Morning all, from Israel!
I have lived in this country for almost 40 yesrs, and I am still baffled by it. Frustrated by it. Angered by it. But I still love it.
But too many things are happening in Israel today that are dangerous, frightening and in the end, also almost irreversible. I have recently been trying to vent my worries and frustration about this in a new blog that I started to write. I post several times a week, blogs about diverse topics, and I would love to hear what others think about these things. I invite you to come visit my site and tell me what you think. If you thik it is appropriate we may also continue such a discussion here on the forum, but I am not sure that all topics will be suitable for that.
I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you! 
theotherside.co.il

See you all on the other side of the fast.

The Bible says God created everything good.

But God gave us free choice.

If God hadn't given us free choice, everyone would be good.

So, what was the purpose of God giving us free will -- to choose good over evil?

This is a weird title and likely something not heard as much as compared to other major religions to discuss here.

I want to first post something I've heard recently from a Buddhist tale/philosophy and would like to compare/ask from a Judaic perspective.

There's two monks - the older one who is wiser and the younger one who is inexperienced and learning from the wiser monk. The older monk asks the younger one to bring the vase with water from the first table onto the second table that was closer to him. The younger one did what was asked; during the process the water inside the vase was tilting and spilling over carelessly. The older asks, "What are you doing?" The younger one said that he did what he was told by him and brought the vase over where the older one asked to bring it to. Then the older monk responds, "Yes, but you done so carelessly. What if this was your purpose in life?" 

The takeaway mainly being that even if a person does what was asked, even as far as being their purpose in life - are they doing so with care? Are they treating what they do as if it's the last thing or the last time doing so, and how would they make of it as that is the meaning of their life. 

I want to ask in similar context with Judaism - as it started with Moses in doing what Gd asks and does so in specific manners in order to keep his covenant and purpose for his chosen nation. How would one know that even if they are simply doing what is asked is being done so for the 'right' reasons, in the right way? If they are not, how can they fix what they had done carelessly so that they can continue throughout life with what ever purpose they are given to do so in the right fashion? 

I'm interested to hear from the Judaic perspective and perhaps within the text that may instruct or give a commonality on how it is instructed. Especially since, as the younger monk in the example had, done what was asked but did it in the way that was not seen as part of their purpose and with care on a higher level. The vase can represent 'a' purpose or in general perspective on how we go through about life. 

Your thoughts? I am interested to hear. Any type of resources to read or watch can be helpful. 

... or he could be of one of the other 11 tribes of Israel? Thanks for your answers.

... since its foundation in 1948? What are they waiting for? A signal from Heaven (from Hashem)? Or maybe do they expect the arrival of the Mashiaj?

... the second time I'm registering on these forums after some time of searching the net trying to find some interesting forums related to Judaism and Jewish People. I would like to know where are you from? I want to know because I have some doubts about the history of Hebrew People according to the things explained in the Tanaj and the Jumash (two of the books ihave read to try to understand the Jewish point of view.) According with the Tanaj I have (edition of 2018) God punished Israel nation with a 70 year exile in Babylon because they didn't respect the Shemita mitzvot, in other words, the land of Israel must rest in the seventh year. All the rabbis of Israel know that now. And my question is if all the Jews living in the Modern State of Israel respect the laws of God referring to the Shemita and the Yobel years? Thank you very much for your attention.

Best regards from Spain,

Carlos P.D.

As I continue to seek out American online services, I notice a difference between the programs that the respective synagogues promote on their websites and the programs run by my local synagogues. For example, American synagogues seem to often have adult conversion classes, different activities related to cultural practices (such as courses on how to bake Challah), study groups, dinners, parent's nights, sometimes also cooperations and activism in their local communities.  Is this representative of the average American Jewish community? Or is this maybe just a self-selection bias due to active communities having a stronger online presence?

Do your communities engage in activities outside Shabbat services and Torah study? Do they actively promote community building? If so, do you engange (or did you use to engage pre Covid) with them? What is this like?

I think I am so surprised and curious because this level of engagement is something that I kind of wish for, but haven't yet found. The only community comparably active is the local Chabad, but they emphasize that they seek to reconnect already Jewish people with their roots and have a strong orthodox orientation. Conservative does have some activities, but they cannot be visited by non-Jewish people as they are a bit overrun. The Rabbi in one of the reform synagogues mentioned that he think it's in his view not part of the synagogue to offer activities as "get togethers", but there are (were) communal celebrations and classes.

So, what's the situation like in your area? What is the self-concept of your community?

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well!

While searching for information on today's Day of 17th of Tammuz, I found the following article in the Jerusalem Post, which also recommended not to fast if you are positive for Covid-19 or feel symptoms thereof: https://www.jpost.com/judaism/fast-of-th...oms-634287

I was wondering how fasting during such times is generally handled within your communities, traditionally/philosophically and what you personally think about it. 

My gut feeling would be that at times with a higher risk due to ongoing pandemics or other extraordinary circumstances, being at the best possible state of health would be wise. Fasting would be detrimental to the idea of preserving life at all costs. So this would mean to preemptively not fast, in order to not weaken the immune system in case of a possible infection. 
Or, for example, if you live in an area of ongoing wildfires and have a risk of needing to evacuate, not to fast so that you can take the required actions if needed. And this goes for all situations of a potential threat that is not imminent, but sort of looming on the horizon, with uncertainty if you will be affected or not.

If you would follow this train of thought, where to draw the line? For example, I might not feel unwell, had no risk contacts, but might get coughed on tomorrow at the supermarket. My future me would profit from being well nourished. But you never know which circumstances might happen to you tomorrow, the risk for a very specific situation is just higher during the times of a crisis, be it a pandemic or other situation. Could you ever have the certainty that fasting is safe and not reducing - dramatically spoken - your chances of survival, how ever minuscule the amount might be?

(I'm not seeking advice on whether or not to fast personally, I am more interested in the philosophical (or pragmatical) approaches and point of views to this questions).

Looking forward to hear your thoughts!

I'm not sure which is the jewish beliefs about death.when one die what happens according to judaism?