Hey everyone, I am a reform jew in Los Angeles and am trying to reconnect with my culture being 18 years old and wanting to go on birthright, just glad to be here. Hope to learn some new stuff

I just want to express my appreciation for allowing me to join this forum.  To be transparent, I am a strict-monotheistic Christian (we do not believe in the Trinity doctrine), but I am *NOT* here to attempt to convert anyone.  I am here because I recently wrapped up Hebrew 1 and I have a lot of questions about the grammar of the Hebrew text—and I have an absolute ton of respect for the Jewish people.

Also, I lurked on here prior to deciding to join this forum and I like the seemingly congenial demeanor that I have witnessed on here so far.  I was on another Judaic forum for a while, but, man, virtually ANY (genuine) question I asked was met with exceedingly terse responses—if they were even allowed to be posted (they moderate every single post).  Just farrrrr too difficult to try and sincerely learn anything, which is a shame because I truly want to learn more about Hebrew exegesis.  This forum is a refreshing change in that vein.

Finally, I realize I am a guest here and will always respect Hebraic beliefs.  If I ever make an error please let me know and I will correct it immediately (I ran a V-Bulletin forum myself for a couple of years, so I know how challenging it can be  .  Again, I am sincerely here to learn.  Thank you again!

If you would like to share, I would be interested to hear how you implement Jewish practices into your daily life and what it means to you. How do you live your Jewishness?

Do you observe Shabbat, do you do it at home or in a synagogue? Are you active in a community? Do you pray daily? Do you say Modeh ani? Do you actively seek out new information? Do you have a personal connection to your Rabbi? What teachings influence you daily behavior (if so)? Or are you non-observant but still adhere to certain core principles that are important to you? And can you be openly Jewish (such as wearing kipot outdoors) or do you keep your religion very private? (Just examples).

I know there are possibly as many ways of living as there are Jews and I am not searching for a right way or anything, just wondered what being Jewish means to others and am interested in your personal routines and practices (that you are comfortable to share).

Thank you!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-killed-...1570621267

Yom Kippur brought with it more anti-Semitic violence. And he streamed it to Facebook. What a sicko!

I hope your observance was peaceful and meaningful to you.

Hi, 

I am not a Jew my self, however i have been interested in this religion for a very long time. I'm a 30y old male from Sweden who is looking for answers that no one seems to be able to give me. I have formed discussions about Jews at work, with my family and a lot of other people over the years.

The thing i can't get to grips with is this: WHY are Jews followed everywhere? I have some Jewish friends who are super nice, they do not openly promote their religion and does not want any part of wars or conflicts. From what i can tell Jews have been one of the most "nice" religions compared to Christianity or Islam. So i really don't understand....

Now i get that Jews are a select group and that you are "the selected ones", but i have no idea why your people are followed and hunted around the world, in different places seemingly without provocation by so many different groups of people? 

Can someone please point me in the right direction to learn more about this topic? I am genuinely curious.

I just got off work an hour early than normal to go home and be ready for Yom Kippur.

Tonight will see people in all the streets of Israel, walking to and fro. It's a beautiful day.

Fewer and fewer people are fasting in Israel from year to year. I remember everyone bragging about how they fast every where. Now when I say צום קל the response is generally that they aren't fasting.

How are things where you are?

צום קל למי שצם.

Hello all,

I'd like ask for support with the meaning of the Hebrew word qūm (Strong 6965) in Isaiah 24:20

The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls--never to rise again.

https://biblehub.com/isaiah/24-20.htm

Some people is interpreting the "never to rise again" as if it implies that the normal state of the earth is rising. They say if it will fall and then rise again, it means it was rising before falling, so the earth is in a constant state of rising upwards. They also claim this is the literal interpretation.

I think this is completely wrong. I don't know any Hebrew, but  I found is the word qūm  actually means to stand up, to arise and it's mostly use throughout the Bible for people arising from  a lying or sitting position.

The people making this interpretation are flat earthers.

I'd appreciate if someone with good knowledge of biblical Hebrew could shed more light on this issue

Thanks in advance,
Daniel

A happy, healthy and sweet New Year to all!

Hello everyone. I would like to post here my video where I give answers to a Jewish rabbi Yosef Mizrachi from a Jewish-Christian debate. In this video I give answers to the questions of rabbi Yosef Mizrachi wherewith he challenged his Christians opponent in a Jewish-Christian debate. In my opinion his Christian opponent couldn't give him precise and satisfying answers. That's why I want to do this in his stead. Note that my video is not meant here for proselytism, but for a possible interreligious discussion and questions related to this topic. Sorry for the lack of confidence in my voice. If my English is not clear enough, let me know.

I received this in an email from Chabad and thought I would share -