Chris wrote:
1. I messed up on my Jews as a race argument, but do you mean ethnic Jews?

Jews are NOT any one ethnicity. Judaism is passed maternally (from mother to son or daughter) or via halachic (legal) conversion. There is no such thing as an "ethnic" Jew any more than Judaism is a race.

We are a family, and in that family you'll find all races including Caucasian, Asian, Black and any other combination you can think of. Some of these races may have a convert far back in the family tree (or more recent), and some may not. You have to remember we're 3500 years old and that is a LONG time. For about 2500 of those years we've been in exile, literally all over the world.

Chris wrote:
2. How does one endanger their immortal soul if Judaism has no concept of Hell?

If an Jew becomes an apostate and rejects the Torah and the covenant HE (or SHE) made with G-d they are indeed endangering their immortal soul. Unless they fall into the category of tinokos shenishbu (literally like one who was kidnapped as a child and raised with no knowledge of the Torah and the covenant) they are indeed in spiritual trouble.

We do not speak negatively of our fellow Jews, this is against one of the mitzvot (it is called lashon hora). That is one reason this forum exists -- to try and educate Jews who do not realize the special role and responsibility they have been given.

A Jew who is not in the category of tinokos shenishbu and is an apostate when they die is judged by the greatest Judge of all. It is not up to us to judge them.

Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah 3:2 :
'This balancing of iniquity and merit is not according to the number of sins or merits but according to their greatness. There is such merit that balances many sins, etc., and this balance can only be balanced with Divine Judgment; He who knows the true valuation of merits vis-à-vis debits.'

'This balancing of iniquity and merit is not according to the number of sins or merits but according to their greatness. There is such merit that balances many sins, etc., and this balance can only be balanced with Divine Judgment; He who knows the true valuation of merits vis-à-vis debits.'
So what happens to people who do not repent, who remain apostates in defiance of Torah til their dying day?

"Moreover, when the A-lmighty does punish for sins - after He has been abundantly patient[22]- the punishment is not G-d forbid a revenge, rather it is for the good of the person, in order to cleanse and purify him from the impurity of the sin.[23] In the words of the Alter Rebbe:[24]'Like a merciful father who is wise and righteous who strikes his son ... like a great and awesome king who himself washes the excrement off his only son out of his great love for him.'

by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov, Published and copyright © by Sichos In English.

  • (Back to text) See Talmud Yerushalmi, Taanis 2:1.
  • (Back to text) See Kuzari, Maamar Sheni, ch.44; Ikkarim, Maamar Revi'i, ch. 38; Likkutei Torah, Korach, p. 53d, Mattos 86b; Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 22, p. 71.
  • (Back to text) Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epsitle 22.

  • G-d is our Father. Like any good father He punishes us to TEACH us, not out of some joy in tormenting us. The article is excellent and you might want to read it. It is entitled "To Love a Fellow Jew"

Chris wrote:

3. If a person has to convert to Judaism to be a Jew then how are they still a Jew after disavowing Judaism?

4. If I converted to Judaism and my mother is not Jewish then I would only be a Noachide and not a Jew correct?
If a person converts to Judaism it is a one way trip. Jews have a special covenant with G-d and that covenant comes with it a very heavy responsibility for the fate of the world. Any Jew (born or convert) who does not fulfill our contractual obligation (so to speak) impacts every single human being in the world because of the promise we made (and make every day) to G-d.

This is why we do not solicit converts. This is why we actively DISCOURAGE converts. Far better a non-Jew be a very good Noachide than a mediocre Jew. It is better for their immortal soul and it is certainly better for the world.

If you convert halachally (legally) to Judaism your mother wasn't a Jew (or you couldn't prove she was a Jew). If she were Jewish there would be no need to convert. Anyone who converts halachally to Judaism is a JEW.



סופי

And everything that Sarah tells you, listen to her voice. Bereshit (Genesis) 21:12
Last Edited By: Sophiee1 Mon, 16-Jun-08 17:02:08. Edited 1 times.