Let's have a deep meaningful convesation of what Judaism means to us.
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI! BEER BEER BEER!





Let's have a deep meaningful convesation of what Judaism means to us.
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI! BEER BEER BEER!
Look like a woman
Think like a man
Act like a lady
Work like a dog
- My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success
Well hey, Purim IS coming up soon...
The Talmud commands us to get fucking trashed! And yes, those are the words. I believe it was Rashi who said, "And on the Celebration of the Lots, let us all get totally fucking trashed and eat some yummy cookies."





DUDE I saw that the first thing you had to do was drink wine. HERE'S SOME WINE...now let's pray.
Look like a woman
Think like a man
Act like a lady
Work like a dog
- My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success
There is an old saying that you can boil down almost every Jewish holiday thusly:
"They tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat."










If only Yom Kippur came with feasting and wine, I'd be happy as a dead pig in the sunshine.
A tip before I go to bed: Sephardi food is WAY better than Ashkenazi food.
I think I learned quite a bit from this thread.
The world's most uncoordinated stripper




Oh, the other side of the coin is, 'They tried to kill us, we survived, let's fast' (though Yom Kippur's a bit of a variation). Fast days abound in Orthodox Judaism, though the people I knew who actually fasted all the days that you're supposed to fast were pretty damned religious (think Lubuvich- black hats for men and the modesty rules of dress for women, plus a fervent messianical bent), though I did go to school with one girl, only moderately religious (kosher at home, vegetarian non-kosher out, kept shabbat, wore whatever), who did all the fast days for weight loss purposes. My family never really were religious at all, though having gone to religious schools, I knew plenty of ultra-Orthodox types. My background was traditional, sure, in some ways, religious never. Dad is the person who introduced me to the joys of crustaceans in grade one or two, and his mother kept ham in the house, though oddly enough both sets of grandparents observed Passover quite strictly. Three out of four of my grandparents, like a lot of concentration camp survivors, became atheists, though they identified culturally with Judaism and referred to themselves as Jews (like Lys, they just didn't think there was a god after the experiences they'd had). Personally I found the culture just as problematic as the religion, though I'm almost alone in my family on that one.
Last edited by flickad; 03-09-2008 at 12:11 AM.
Hey - I openly admit that I think receiving more than giving.
Damn I before E except after C.
See - I learned something in this thread. So did my neighbour.
The world's most uncoordinated stripper





It's given me food for thought as well except not in relation to Judaism.
On a lighter note, I have loved how entertaining this thread was overall!
Fuck the sex thread...![]()
enter: E3167322D9 for your 10% discount
I'm a funny gal, that's why I wear funny hats.
If you become a Jew you too can wear funny hats. Previous to this thread and some episodes of Entourage this was my complete knowledge of Jewish culture.
The world's most uncoordinated stripper




Well, they tend to form part of Sunday brunch rather than being the focus of the day, but it's a very common tradition among Ashkenazi Jews. The whole lox/cream cheese thing also makes an appearance quite often in some families.
P.S.- Maybe you should have a chat to a Rabbi when you come to Melbourne for the SW fest and ask any questions you might have. There's a substantial Jewish population in the inner South Eastern suburbs here (Caulfield, Balaclava, East St Kilda, Bentleigh, Carnegie, Glenhuntly, Elsternwick, Elwood, Malvern), and at least you won't have to worry about alienating the Brisbane Rabbis. Do some internet research to find a Rabbi in your area and sect of choice, and perhaps book an appointment ahead of time if you want to be sure of getting your questions answered.
Last edited by flickad; 03-09-2008 at 02:53 AM.
Hi! Sorry to pop my head in here, but I read this thread, and then I read the JewFAQ's...
And I just gotta say...i'm lovin this religion!
from jewfaq.org
Sex is the woman's right, not the man's. A man has a duty to give his wife sex regularly and to ensure that sex is pleasurable for her. He is also obligated to watch for signs that his wife wants sex, and to offer it to her without her asking for it. The woman's right to sexual intercourse is referred to as onah, and it is one of a wife's three basic rights (the others are food and clothing), which a husband may not reduce. The specifies both the quantity and quality of sex that a man must give his wife. It specifies the frequency of sexual obligation based on the husband's occupation, although this obligation can be modified in the (marriage contract). A man may not take a vow to abstain from sex for an extended period of time, and may not take a journey for an extended period of time, because that would deprive his wife of sexual relations. In addition, a husband's consistent refusal to engage in sexual relations is grounds for compelling a man to his wife, even if the couple has already fulfilled the obligation to procreate
seriously...I myself have been searching for quite some time fo a religion...or spirituality I can align myself with. That's why I read this thread and followed the links...I'm exploring many religions, trying to find one I can believe in. mostly tho, 'm just trying to find a way to be spiritual. I, like you, Lys, am athiest, but want something....




For the record, Yek, though I might have the requisite unbroken maternal orthodox bloodline (on the paternal side too, in fact), you're Jewish in your heart and beliefs and I'm not. Since religion, to me, is something you either believe or not (though it's not only acceptance of the religion that makes you a member, it's one of the factors), I consider myself not to be Jewish and you to be, whether or not the Jewish orthodoxy recognise either your conversion or mine. It is commitment and action (ie conversion, practice), not only accident of birth, that make you part of a religious group. You can choose to be in or out by taking certain steps. Your posts suggest, that in a lot of ways, you think like a Jew (in fact I used to think you were born one and wonder vaguely at your Southern girl appearance). Your way of seeing the world isn't out of step with that of a lot of the Jews I grew up with (some of my mother's spiritual views, too, come to think of it), including your connection to Israel. I've never thought like a Jew in my life. I've always been secular as all hell in my way of seeing the world and I've never felt at all connected to Israel. Spiritual colouring of things has never made any sense to me, has never resonated for me, and that's something that is woven all through Judaism.
I've been told the orthodoxy don't recognise conversions out of Judaism if you're born a Jew, which frustrates the fuck out of me and is a major reason I don't tell most that I'm of Jewish descent. Actually, I like to play up the suspected Polish Catholic blood in my grandfather's family, which seemed evident to us all in classic Slavic features and colouring, which also got passed down to my mother, who has a classic Polish Shiksa face despite her mother's unmistakably dark, soft Jewish looks (I got Mum's Slavic cheekbones and Dad's Jewish nose, though most people think it looks Greek).
Anyways, I'm afraid (and this is backed up by some experiences) that my decision to no longer be a member of that religion will be treated as meaningless, baptism or no (though I really did think my baptism would work to get certain people to accept the fact of my non-membership in the Jewish faith). I don't know why I care so much, and in some ways I don't (why should I accept a view that a rabbinical decree I disagree with sets the agenda here?) but in another I find it horribly disconcerting that the attempt has been made to dictate my own religious identity to me. I'll add that most people do accept that I have converted out and am not now a Jew, but some just won't accept it as valid.
Last edited by flickad; 03-09-2008 at 05:39 AM.




Lys, just popping in to say great big hugs for you. I support you 110%, and I'm not going to throw in Why you can do this, or You can't do that, or Why would you even believe in this? Just a silent supporter! Good luck on finding what is out there for you!




If you're orthodox, though, oral sex is out as is sex or touching per se for two weeks out of every four. Not every Jew obeys every last Jewish law, of course, but you do have to pick and choose your sect and level of religiosity to find what's comfortable. Things like JewFAQs will give you an incomplete, shallow picture of what is a complex religious tapestry.
It's very important to be thorough about research before committing, though I'm not saying that Judaism's not suitable for anyone (it resonates very very deeply for some, and those who feel a genuine connection to the faith are often prepared to follow even some of the curlier Jewish laws- one of my aunts by marriage is an orthodox convert whose faith is exceedingly deep, and her practice is also terribly strict, much more so than any of the blood members of my family- she is also horrified by my atheism in a way that none of my blood relatives are). Just saying that there's a lot to it, and various sects, and it's something to really investigate and experience over time on a number of levels (culturally, socially, religiously) before you can know if it's something that will resonate with you and that you will be able to genuinely participate in.





Thanks everyone who PMed me or posted just to say they supported me. I got quite a few lovely comments and thank you from deep down.
I went to my Synagogue today. It was so pretty. Closed (11pm on a Sunday, yannow) but the outside was so pretty. I can't wait to go in. I might go in tomorrow.
Look like a woman
Think like a man
Act like a lady
Work like a dog
- My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success
yep, if you are born with a jewish soul, you cannot make it disapear, or die. Which is what would be necessary to convert out of judiasm. Also, those who truely convert (under orthodoxy) cannot ever convert back out. it's a life sentance, so to speak.
Just saying this for educational purposes, I'll make no public opinions reguarding it.
I just wanted to quote this for truth.
a jewish woman is not supposed to touch her husban if she has not been to mikvah. So, after her period is over, she must have 12 completely blood free days
before she goes to the mikva (ritual bathing) and then they can have sex. This is hell for people who have short cycle, mid cycle bleeding, or early ovulation (for those wanting to get pregnant).
I want so badly to keep mikva, but I would not be able to get pregnant then, most likely, b/c I generally ovulate before 12 blood free days.





Duly noted.
Either way, I can't wait. <3
Look like a woman
Think like a man
Act like a lady
Work like a dog
- My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success
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