[Charlottie93]

(Original post by PandyAndy)
I think the Orthodox ones shave their heads,but I may be wrong.

It's only the extreme orthodox who do that and it's based on cultural rather than religious reasons, so you'll only normally find it with European Jews rather than say American or Sephardic Jews.

[anyone_can_fly]

(Original post by ZeeAli)
Why do jewish women wear wigs to cover their hair ? why dont they just use a scarf or something else ?
i just think it defeats the purpose of covering up their hair.. is it not meant for your hair to be covered in modesty and not just with a wig

The purpose of covering hair (as far as I know) is so that only your husband and close family see it. If you're wearing a wig that's still the case. I think Sephardic women usually wear scarves.

(Original post by PandyAndy)
I think the Orthodox ones shave their heads,but I may be wrong.

That's just some particular sect of Hareidi Jews. In those communities it's a custom, not a commandment from the Torah.

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by Matthew12)
I was just wondering that since its assur(prohibited) to write two or more letters on Shabbat andYamin Tovim on account of the melecha (prohited labour acts) (Mishnah Shabbat 7:2)whether one could write one letter on one page then another letter on another page to make up a word since the person would still be writing but one letter on another page?

In theory it could be permitted, but the rabbis ruled that all writing is forbidden to avoid any mistakes being made and two letters being written on Shabbat.

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by ZeeAli)
Why do jewish women wear wigs to cover their hair ? why dont they just use a scarf or something else ?
i just think it defeats the purpose of covering up their hair.. is it not meant for your hair to be covered in modesty and not just with a wig

I see others have answered already, but I'll give my view on the matter. Jewish law does not demand that someone to go beyond that which is required at a basic level. If the commandment is to cover your hair after marriage for reasons of modesty (or, more specifically, to ensure that it is only your husband who can see your natural hair) then it does not matter what is used - a wig will suffice. Often Middle Eastern Jews will use scarves to cover their hair but this stems from traditional cultural practices more than anything else.

[ZeeAli]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
I see others have answered already, but I'll give my view on the matter. Jewish law does not demand that someone to go beyond that which is required at a basic level. If the commandment is to cover your hair after marriage for reasons of modesty (or, more specifically, to ensure that it is only your husband who can see your natural hair) then it does not matter what is used - a wig will suffice. Often Middle Eastern Jews will use scarves to cover their hair but this stems from traditional cultural practices more than anything else.

ah okay i was watching this programme about jewish culture and i wondered whyy they didnt just use a scarf instead of a wig

[Matthew12]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
In theory it could be permitted, but the rabbis ruled that all writing is forbidden to avoid any mistakes being made and two letters being written on Shabbat.

Really from where did the rabbis completley assur writing altogether on Shabbat and Yamin Tovim

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by Matthew12)
Really from where did the rabbis completley assur writing altogether on Shabbat and Yamin Tovim

Mishneh Torah Shabbat 11:9–17, 23:12–19; Shulkhan Arukh Orach Chayim 340; and Chayei Adam Shabbat 36.

[ahmed]

i have a question
might sound silly
but how is the jewish prayer
what do u do
what do u have to wear
do you stand or sit
what do you say?
too many questions???

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by ahmed)
i have a question
might sound silly
but how is the jewish prayer
what do u do
what do u have to wear
do you stand or sit
what do you say?
too many questions???

There are three required prayer services a day for men, mostly said standing. You are required to wear a tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin round one arm and around your head. We pray from a Siddur (prayer book). I found a very basic one online here that you can look through if you're interested. More info on Jewish prayer here.

Women are exempt from carrying out commandments that are time-specific (i.e. have to be done at a certain time of the day). Thus, they are not required to pray the same services as men because their role as head of the family is considered more important. They mostly pray once a day.

[ahmed]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
There are three required prayer services a day for men, mostly said standing. You are required to wear a tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin round one arm and around your head. We pray from a Siddur (prayer book). I found a very basic one online here that you can look through if you're interested. More info on Jewish prayer here.

Women are exempt from carrying out commandments that are time-specific (i.e. have to be done at a certain time of the day). Thus, they are not required to pray the same services as men because their role as head of the family is considered more important. They mostly pray once a day.

thanks very informative
i will have a look at the links

[NJA]

Who would be the most revered Jewish Rabbi of the last 50 years?

I ask because I have heard mention of Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri.
Thousands sought his counsel, healings and esteemed him a prophet.
Hundreds of thousands attended his funeral when he died in 2006, aged 108(?)

[Rhadamanthus]

Menachem Schneerson, probably.

[nimrodstower]

(Original post by Agent Smith)
This is a kind of sequel to "Ask a Muslim". If you have a question about Judaism or Jewish culture you would like to ask (including, indeed, what "Jew" really means), post it here and a Jewish user, or user familiar with Judaism, will have a shot at answering it.

As with "Ask a Muslim", this is intended to function simply as a place for Q&A to keep the rest of the forum clean and tidy.

Theoretically, recent posts that really belong here may be moved to this thread. Just to warn you.

Your feedback and comments are of course most welcome.

Finally, as with H&R, remember that all advice is unprofessional.

You will have to excuse me if this seems an ignorant question, but it is one I have always thought about, I have no real understanding of Judaism, and have only ever met secular Jews. I was wondering what is the Jewish take, on the Christians and Muslims nicking your God. I asked this once and got pooh poohed by a Muslim member.

[anyone_can_fly]

(Original post by nimrodstower)
You will have to excuse me if this seems an ignorant question, but it is one I have always thought about, I have no real understanding of Judaism, and have only ever met secular Jews. I was wondering what is the Jewish take, on the Christians and Muslims nicking your God. I asked this once and got pooh poohed by a Muslim member.

I've never really heard people saying much about it. The general feeling is probably not too fussed/mildly proud to have inspired two of the biggest world religions. Judaism isn't a proselytising religion, and as long as non-Jews keep the seven Noahide laws (e.g. don't eat animals while they're still alive, don't murder anyone) they're considered righteous. So if they choose to be Christian or Muslim that's absolutely fine, and doesn't impeach on Judaism at all.

[nimrodstower]

(Original post by anyone_can_fly)
I've never really heard people saying much about it. The general feeling is probably not too fussed/mildly proud to have inspired two of the biggest world religions. Judaism isn't a proselytising religion, and as long as non-Jews keep the seven Noahide laws (e.g. don't eat animals while they're still alive, don't murder anyone) they're considered righteous. So if they choose to be Christian or Muslim that's absolutely fine, and doesn't impeach on Judaism at all.

Thanks for the info, at least it sets me straight on that point.

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by anyone_can_fly)
I've never really heard people saying much about it. The general feeling is probably not too fussed/mildly proud to have inspired two of the biggest world religions. Judaism isn't a proselytising religion, and as long as non-Jews keep the seven Noahide laws (e.g. don't eat animals while they're still alive, don't murder anyone) they're considered righteous. So if they choose to be Christian or Muslim that's absolutely fine, and doesn't impeach on Judaism at all.

(Original post by nimrodstower)
Thanks for the info, at least it sets me straight on that point.

Some Jewish authorities consider Christianity to be a form of idolatry and therefore in violation of one of the most important Noahide Laws, however some disagree. Islam is generally viewed as fine.

[nimrodstower]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
Some Jewish authorities consider Christianity to be a form of idolatry and therefore in violation of one of the most important Noahide Laws, however some disagree. Islam is generally viewed as fine.

Are you talking about, No graven images before me,(?), if that is correct, as I always wondered about that, being raised C of E. I will check on the Noahide Laws myself, I suppose, correct me if I am wrong, that Judaism is interpretive, I.E. Genesis, is the Biblical account true in Judaism?

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by nimrodstower)
Are you talking about, No graven images before me,(?), if that is correct, as I always wondered about that, being raised C of E. I will check on the Noahide Laws myself, I suppose, correct me if I am wrong, that Judaism is interpretive, I.E. Genesis, is the Biblical account true in Judaism?

It's the prohibition of idolatry - some Jews believe that the Christian theory of the Trinity contradicts the idea of one God and is thus a form of polytheism. As for Genesis being literal, more Jews are open to the theory that it is an allegorical passage and that "six days" could refer to six lengthy periods of time - perhaps billions of years.

[anyone_can_fly]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
As for Genesis being literal, more Jews are open to the theory that it is an allegorical passage and that "six days" could refer to six lengthy periods of time - perhaps billions of years.

In fact, I think Maimonides said as much in the twelfth century.

[nimrodstower]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
It's the prohibition of idolatry - some Jews believe that the Christian theory of the Trinity contradicts the idea of one God and is thus a form of polytheism. As for Genesis being literal, more Jews are open to the theory that it is an allegorical passage and that "six days" could refer to six lengthy periods of time - perhaps billions of years.

This question comes from something I saw on another thread, It's a two parter. The film "God on trial", should I place too much credence in it's religious truth? Is it possible that God broke his covenant with Jewish peoples? I loved the film personally, but one wonders if maybe we are being naive, not knowing about Judaism.