Hello Sophiee and all,

Thank you for the welcome. Considering my concerns were generally skirted, I shall address yours.

As I thought I made clear in my original post, I pray to Hashem, not to Y'shua. In fact, in the NT Y'shua commanded his students to pray only to Hashem.

I do not know if "fear factor" is an appropriate term to describe certain methodologies. "Hell" is a post-Christian Roman concept that has vague references to Gehenna. I am well aware that Judaism does not say that Hinus, Buddhists, etc. will burn in hell...but please be honest and acknowledge with me that Judaism has its own unique allocations for those of less than perfection. For instance, Judaism does not say to the pagan "you are going to hell", but it can say, "x behavior bars one from the World to Come." I view that as a potential "fear factor" for some, in its own way.

Regarding my use of the name "Y'shua," I cannot see how my pronounciation of this word was readily evident. I do not mean to denote the feminine form of salvation, I mean to transliterate the same masculine name ("yod-shin-vav-ayin") as is used in Nehemiah 8:17 (JPS student ed.), with emphasis on the second syllable.

I hope in the future you all will not make any more presumptions regarding me. I studied in Israel at university for a time and with all due respect, if Hebrew University archaeolgists can apply the name "Y'shua" to the person Jesus, I am disinterested in receiving disparagingly snide innuendos by the respected moderator, or TheXian, or UriYosef. I am far from "ignorant."

Sincerely,
EM