judaism

Judaism and Reincarnation

Judaism and Reincarnation

By Yerachmiel Tilles How prevalent is the Jewish belief in reincarnation today? How does it differ from the Asian belief? What do the Rabbis think of it? The root of the word "Torah" is the verb "to instruct". Torah's primary function is to teach us how to live Jewishly, in harmony with G‑d's will. As such, the basic levels of scriptural interpretation lead to a practical understanding of mitzvot and related Jewish values. Many Jews are surprised to learn, or may even wish to deny, that reinc
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Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Identifying the Teachers of the Law – Excerpt from Council of My Nation

Identifying the Teachers of the Law – Excerpt from Council of My Nation

This brings us to the final function that Eternal Israel performs in relation to the Law, namely the identification of her leaders. The teachers of the Law serve as a crucial component in Israel’s relationship with the Law. These leaders are the arbitrators of the Law, and their judgment enables the nation to apply the Law to living situations. These leaders guide Eternal Israel in dispensing her duty in the realm of preservation of the Law. It is these leaders who set forth the Rabbinic enactme
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Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
What is the meaning of the word Zion?

What is the meaning of the word Zion?

The Hebrew name Tzion (ציון), or “Zion” appears at least 157 times in the Bible. Below are a couple examples of the verses in the Jewish Bible.  Let us find out the meaning of the word Zion. In many sources, the Rabbis interpreted the passages to be referring to the source of Jewish wisdom as the Sanhedrin was housed in the building adjacent the Temple in Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for Zion, Tzion (ציון), can be translated as “indication” or “marking.” The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Men
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Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Struggling With God

Struggling With God

David Hazony’s recent book The Ten Commandments reveals that while most people feel strongly about the commandments, few are actually able to enumerate them. Even for those who have pondered these foundational spiritual directives, the very first one is often perplexing. Indeed, some thinkers have questioned whether the introductory statement that “I am the Lord your God who took you out of the land of Egypt from the house of slavery” (Exodus 20:2) should even be considered a commandment, but r
god israel
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Jews and Jewish Christianity - Suggestions for Further Reading

Jews and Jewish Christianity - Suggestions for Further Reading

Here is a list of suggestions that you could use for further reading on the topic - Jews and Jewish Christianity 1. Berger, David. The Jewish-Christian Debate in the High Middle Ages: A Critical Edition of the Nizzahon Vetus with an Introduction, Translation and Commentary. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1978. The introduction and commentary present a history and analysis of almost all the major arguments from the beginnings of Christianity through the thirteenth century. 2. Bleich,
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Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Jews and Jewish Christianity - A Final Word

Jews and Jewish Christianity - A Final Word

In this book we have tried, sincerely and respectfully, to explain the Jewish point of view concerning Jews who have embraced or are thinking of embracing Christianity. In the final analysis, it is you who must make the decision. In the course of our discussions, we have concentrated on the major theological issues. Could Jesus have been the Messiah? What is the Jewish conception of God? Does the Hebrew Bible demonstrate the truth of Christianity? How does God forgive sins? Is devotion to “Jewi
answer christianity
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Jews and Jewish Christianity - On Jews, Gentiles, and “Jewish Christians

Jews and Jewish Christianity - On Jews, Gentiles, and “Jewish Christians

Several times in the course of our discussion of Judaism and Christianity we have distinguished between Jews and gentiles. At the outset, we emphasized that this book is directed in part at Jews who are thinking of converting to Christianity. In the chapter dealing with the divinity of Jesus, we explained that for a Jew to believe that Jesus was God constitutes idolatry, while the same trinitarian belief is not idolatry when held by a gentile. These points may have raised certain questions. Wha
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Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Jews and Jewish Christianity - The Forgiveness of Sin

Jews and Jewish Christianity - The Forgiveness of Sin

Contemporary Christianity appears in various forms. While there was a time when almost all Christian churches were engaged in missionizing Jews, in recent times most churches have discontinued special efforts directed at Jews. There are various reasons for this change. Let us read about the forgiveness of sin. How is it for Jews? One of the most significant is the widespread conviction among many Christian thinkers that Judaism stands in a special relationship to Christianity and, therefore, th
answer christianity
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz