Orthodox Jews' beliefs on Marriage, Divorce and the Afterlife

by Sharon
(United States)

I know this is going to come off as odd. I am currently taking a World Religion Class and my final paper is on the Orthodox Jews' beliefs on Marriage, Divorce and the Afterlife. We need to interview someone that is Jewish and there are no Jewish synagogues near me that I can find. I was wondering if you or if you knew someone that could answer some questions for me? I really would appreciate any help that you could give me on these questions.

Our reading only gives us the doctrinal answers on the following:

Marriage: Is typically arranged and that the wife will work while the new husband is finishing his religious studying, is this true today or was it ever true? And if I may ask does the Jewish religion have a take on Birth Control inside of a marriage?

Divorce: Divorce is an option but only the man can initiate. That Orthodox Jews typically take marraige on as a permanent contract between husband and wife. The other documents I found stated that divorce among Orthodox Jews is the lowest in the United States among every other religion. Can you eloborate more on the Orthodox Judiasm take on divorce and tell me if my research is correct, please?

Afterlife: Now I understand that the Jewish take on the afterlife is pretty similiar to the rest of the Christion sects. My research tells me that Judiasm as a whole does not beleive that Jesus was the son of God but that he was a prophet. My reading also says that Orthodox Judaism says that Hell is symbolic and of our own making and not an actual place. Can you elaborate on anything I said or tell me what I am missing?


Again I appreciate any help that is given. Have a good day

Orthodox Jewish woman

by Lisa

Since an Orthodox Jewish woman has to wait so long to resume relationship with her husband, what happens if her ovulation is not that of a normal woman? What if she can't get pregnant because of the time she must wait? Also, is an Orthodox woman allowed to work, and what's the difference between an Orthodox and a Hasidic? Thanks, Lisa

Why do Orthodox Jews seem distant and unfriendly when out in public?

whenever I see the Orthodox Jews who live in my neighborhood out walking they all seem very distant and like they're in their own own world. For instance, they never seem to look at people when they're out walking or say hi to anyone, i have noticed other people act more neighborly and do say hi etc., Has anyone else noticed this? why is this?

Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn-based Hasidic newspaper Der Zeitung cut Hillary Clinton from White House picture

by fawn

I saw the coverage on the altered picture that a Orthodox Jewish Hasidic paper "Der Zeitung" published with the explanation that Sec. Clinton and another from the White House were cut out from the Bin Laden raid photo because it would be considered sexually suggestive.


I've done some research and all of the history regarding Orthodox Judiaism & their sects does not mention this.

Can you refer me to where this information can be found.

I'm not passing judgment I was just curious as it seems so many in the blogsphere/twitter etc. The world are condemning this practice.

What did they do when Golda Meier was PM of Isreal. What if Clinton was President, would they have run no picture?

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

fawn

How to start a conversion process

by Caroline
(United States)

I was wondering how to start a conversion process in the States, I live in NJ. If you have any tips or so forth. I have been studying Judaism for almost 8 years now and want to start my process.

Thank you for your help!

Orthodox Jews, Clothing on a Hot Summer Day

by Vicki
(NY)

The Orthodox Jew custom (for females) of wearing clothing that covers the body from head to ankles does not seem to cause the sort of discomfort that most non-Orthodox people would expect.

Last summer, my (large) family was at the Great Escape fun park in Lake George, New York and we encountered a group of about 25-30 Orthodox Jewish girls (apparently from a summer camp) on a day trip. These girls ranged in age from about 7 to 16, and they had four counselors (also female) with them who were in their late teens to early twenties.

They all wore dark kerchiefs on their heads, long sleeved shirts (buttoned to the neck) and heavy skirts that varied in length from ankle to between ankle and knee length. And these clothes were not lightweight material. They also were wearing dark, thick stockings (and sneakers). Not one of these girls seemed conscious of the fact that it happened to be 98 degrees that day!

Their faces were not flushed or sweaty. They didn't droop or drag themselves around. (That park is a lot of walking!) They weren't complaining about how hot or thirsty they were, and they seemed full of energy, running around, laughing, and excited and happy to be there.

It was amazing to me that every other child in the park seemed so aware of how hot it was, while these Orthodox girls did not act as if they were bothered in the least. Every other child was begging their parents (or caregivers) to please, please, take them to the water park area, NOW, but these girls were happy and content to stay in the hottest section of the park, full well knowing that they would not be going into the bathing suit-only area, to cool off.

It made me realize how much of a role your cultural background plays in mind-body effects- not just in behavior, but physically. These Orthodox girls were not suffering from the heat in any noticeable way, and their counselors did not act like they were afraid someone might suffer heatstroke or any other physical distress. Their Orthodox clothing was not the burden to them that it would have been to non-Orthodox people.

"Orthodox" jews pray-or believe in God or they worship the "messiah"?

by Bonnie
(United States)

I attended a christian church service this morn w/boyfriend and the pastor was saying that the "orthodox" jews don't pray-or believe in God. That in fact they worship the "messiah"....I was raised kosher and haven't been to temple since I was very young, but I was always taught to pray to God! Is there any truth to what the pastor was saying?

Your website is fascinating...

by Wendy
(www.retirement-online.com)

I know nothing of Orthodox Jews, and none live anywhere around me (or so I think)...

Your site is very interesting, I love the symbolism in your religion, and simply wanted to say Kudos for a Great Site.

Well done!!

Orthodox Jewish woman

by Susan
(United States)

I am curious about how the Orthodox Jewish woman would view and would be viewed by male familoy members during menstruation. I am a Christian woman looking into a story that relates to this in our scriptures.

KosherShopaholic.com

by Shoshana Raff
(Monsey, NY)

HI, what a nice and informative website you have. I have a website where I share shopping deals, freebies, and reviews for Kosher Consumers: www.koshershopaholic.com Maybe you want to add me to your comprehensive and helpful list here?

I write about sales and deals in modest clothing for women & children; coupons, savings and deals on Kosher foods and restaurants and reviews of lots of food, fashion and technology products that would be of interest to the Orthodox Jew. Come visit and let me know if its helps you save money! Thanks!
www.koshershopaholic.com

Leiby Kletzky

by Mary
(United States)

When something horrible like the murder of a young child happens within the orthodox jewish community is GOd questioned by their members on why he allowed such a horrible crime happen?? is the faith lost ??

Hasidic folklore in my life and work

by Milan Dzhurovich (Milosh Lovchenski)
(Kostroma,Russia)

I would like to share with the fellow readers, about how traditional Hasidic melodies emerged in my repertoire.


I am a professional musician, and engaged in folklore of East and South Slavic Countries. In our countries, the Jewish tradition has ancient roots of Orthodox Jewish Hasidism and Hasidic people. Therefore their traditional culture and folklore is part of my job.


The Jewish population of the city where I live, Kostroma, is small, but well known in the Jewish world. This city has brought, albeit briefly, the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Joseph Isaac Schne’erson. In our city he received the news of his release from prison and death penalty.


I became very close to traditional Hasidic culture, and in my work I harmoniously included performance of traditional Hasidic melodies.


In 2007, the Jewish community of Kostroma celebrated its 100th year of Jewish life in the city. The Synagogue was crowded, and among the guests were respected people from many cities, and of course, from Moscow and Israel. The highest part of the celebrations was a gala concert, which sounded so close to the songs and melodies! I was fortunate enough to act in the concert, and of course I sang Hasidic Melodies. I will always remember that during the performance, the honorary guests of the event suddenly began to sing along right from their seats. Tears were flowing from the eyes of an elderly listener. Thanks a lot for the performance! I can’t even imagine what memories and emotions those elderly participants felt when they listened to these old tunes?


I hope that the performance of my traditional Hasidic melodies serve as a greater understanding of those people who listen to them, to the Jewish tradition and culture.


Milos Lovchenski, folk music singer.

UNLOCK the Hebrew for me!

by Michael
(United States)

I readin your article on Orothodox culture.

As appealing as Orothodox Judaism is to me I guess I would pick Modern Orothodox over the more untra-Orthodox.

Is there a way that I can find a book or lexicaon that will UNLOCK the Hebrew for me? I have read and comepare MANY Jewish and Christian Bibles and none of them seem to do or have what I wish a Bible would have.

I just have such a LOVE for the Word of G-d that I WISH that the Hebrew could be translated and explained so tha it paints a picture of what is happening in the text.

Thanks for your time and possible help.

A non Jew studying Judaism for almost 2 years alone..

by Suzette
(Cebu, Philippines)

Shalom, I dunno how this will work but...


I would like to share to you readers about my studies about Judaism. If I would tell you where and when it all started why I ended up in Orthodox Judaism it would really be quite so long to share about my search.
I will try to share a brief information of what religion I am from.

I am born a Roman Catholic cause both my parents are, during my teenage years I started to read the Bible (Torah along with the rest of the writings) and New Testament, right there I started to ask a lot of questions about my religion.
Then days, months and few years passed I started to listen to other Christian religions debating etc. about they are the right religion etc. (I don't wanna elaborate much further on how they view things about the only religion going to be save etc.)
Since then I've been praying to G-d to guide me and begging to have mercy on a gentile who is hunger for truth who wants to seek for the truth and wants to know about what Hashem really wants, to guide the people who is heartily searching for truth, who are telling the truth and who holds strongly to G-d's mitzvah...
There is a certain Christian religion I was about to pursue my conversion there..but I don't know why I didn't continue my process.

I still have a lot of questions in my mind. I still asked a lot of questions until I finally reached to search about Judaism. What is it about etc. ( I noticed my article isn't brief anymore by the way lol so, I will just have to end my brief story ) up to there til I reached on searching about Judaism.

The site I've read and took notes about Judaism is on this site www.jewfaq.org here I learned things about who is a jew etc. a bit about Jewish history etc and lot more, I'm stuck in languages on this site actually. Hebrew writings is sure hard. I need someone a professional that will teach me.

Also I've been reading articles in aish.com about why Jews doesn't believe Jesus is the messiah.

I also listened to Rabbi Singer's audio's here on this site outreachjudaism.org
And of course www.orthodox-jews.com
Most of this site are really informative for me actually. Of course to those who are curious if what it felt like for me to know why Orthodox Judaism doesn't believe in new testament and Jesus as the messiah.
Honestly, it was really hard for me to accept it at first knowing that what I view him since I was born..but it all make sense even in the New Testament I've read he said Hashem is greater than him. Most of the good teachings in the New Testament are already in the Torah and Writings. So why are there changes that contradicts to Hashem's mitzvah in the Torah in the New Testament..

Anyway, I've asked Rabbi M. Younger about conversion process etc. he told me that I cannot continue to do it alone by myself I need to live in a Jewish community and all and the proper conversion is either in Israel or in US perform in beth din.

Most of the Jew I've contacted really helped me and told me what to do etc. I even signed up in Chabbad Philippines bcause I really want to observe and learn more about Judaism before I am going to contact a rabbi for my conversion process that way it will be easy for the rabbi and myself if we start to begin the process.

That way it is formally observe not just what I'm doing now trying to keep commandments on my own alone. Unfortunately, my family aren't that rich so I cannot just go to Manila where Chabbad Philippines is located and pursue my plan on observing and learning things about holidays there first before contacting to an Orthodox Jew.

I hope when I find another job cause I just quit my job cause it was giving me health problems nothing serious though only my vision got affected.

I really do hope Hashem will guide and help not only me but to those people out there non Jew or Jew who wants to go back to Hashem, who wants to keep G-d's commandment and who wants to know more about our Creator heartily. I am aware there are Movements in Judaism. I have chosen Orthodox Judaism the fact that how they hold dearly to Hashem's commandment and have ever since..