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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by habbyshabit on August 22, 2003, at 17:35:25
Hi there Simcha,
I am a Jew by birth and feel completely connected to Jews as a tribe, nation, heritage, or ethnicity. I do not practice Judiasm, except the yeuracite (Sp?) of my parents, out of respect for them.
Are you a religious Jew? Conservative? Reform? Orthodox? I've tried to return to the religion of my birth, sometimes through back doors like Tarot and Kabbahlism. For me, with all the beauty there, it just doesn't stick.
It is a curious thing to FEEL so Jewish though. To identify with Jews world wide. To be able to pick out the Jews in any crowd.
I don't mean any disrespect. It's just such a curious thing. Some would say it's my Jewish Soul. I'm not sure what it is. If you have read my faith thread, you'll know that even the one god idea is up for grabs for me these days.
At any rate, I love seeing a name like Simcha posted here. My hebrew name is Shifra. Welcome.
Habby
Posted by Simcha on August 23, 2003, at 0:03:37
In reply to Simcha - re: Judaism, posted by habbyshabit on August 22, 2003, at 17:35:25
Hammyshabit,
Wow, where to begin?
I was born Jewish because my Mother is technically Jewish. I was raised a Roman Catholic because my father is half-Italian and half-Polish and mom got baptized Catholic. I even went to major seminary only to discover that not only did I never really buy the whole "Jesus Story," it never made sense to me, I felt like a Jew worshiping amongst Christians.
While I was at that seminary we visited a local synagogue for Friday Night Shabbat services... By the way, Shabbat Shalom, it's Sabbath tonight. I immediately felt at home and the members of the synagogue treated me as if I were a member already.
Eventually, years after leaving seminary, I decided to be officially Jewish. No Orthodox Rabbi would allow me to go through a conversion because they saw me as aleady Jewish. One Rabbi just told me, "Oye, your Jewish, just keep coming to shul (synagogue). I have a nice daughter about your age..." Too bad for him, I'm gay.
So, I sought out a Reform Rabbi. They not only accept homosexuals, marrying us, they also were willing to do a conversion process for me. The way they saw it, I was raised in another religion and I was embracing a new religion. Even though I was techniqually Jewish according to Jewish Law, I had lived my life as a non-Jew. They thought it might be meaningful for me to have a ritual as a separation from my former life as a non-Jew to my life as an observant Jew. I did it and it was one of the most amazing two years of my life.
These days I still consider myself a Jew. My religious observance has changed to observe new realities in my belief system. I now choose to embrace a Hebrew Pantheon that I believe was suppressed by the Levitical Cult... Especially the Goddesses of the Hebrews. I sort of see my religion as a Hebrew Pagan.
I feel intimately connected to the Jewish people. I know when there are other Jews present. Yes, I believe I have a Jewish soul. I believe that somehow all of us Jews/Hebrews are connected in some inexplicible way.
Blessings Shifra,
Simcha
> Hi there Simcha,
>
> I am a Jew by birth and feel completely connected to Jews as a tribe, nation, heritage, or ethnicity. I do not practice Judiasm, except the yeuracite (Sp?) of my parents, out of respect for them.
>
> Are you a religious Jew? Conservative? Reform? Orthodox? I've tried to return to the religion of my birth, sometimes through back doors like Tarot and Kabbahlism. For me, with all the beauty there, it just doesn't stick.
>
> It is a curious thing to FEEL so Jewish though. To identify with Jews world wide. To be able to pick out the Jews in any crowd.
>
> I don't mean any disrespect. It's just such a curious thing. Some would say it's my Jewish Soul. I'm not sure what it is. If you have read my faith thread, you'll know that even the one god idea is up for grabs for me these days.
>
> At any rate, I love seeing a name like Simcha posted here. My hebrew name is Shifra. Welcome.
>
> Habby
Posted by habbyshabit on August 24, 2003, at 13:05:49
In reply to Re: Simcha - re: Judaism » habbyshabit, posted by Simcha on August 23, 2003, at 0:03:37
Simcha, what an interesting story. I can see where an orthodox Reb would not feel the need for conversion. I can see your need for one. It must have been a moving and deeply felt ritual for you.
Jewish Pagen...I have no idea what that means! I am aware of the Shechinah, the female nature of God, the Sabbath Bride, but I'd love to hear more of this paganism. Certainly there are strong women in the old testement, but they were human.
Thanks for sharing your story. It's captivating
Hab
Posted by Simcha on August 24, 2003, at 18:10:45
In reply to Re: Simcha - re: Judaism » Simcha, posted by habbyshabit on August 24, 2003, at 13:05:49
Hab,
Here are a couple of sites you might find interesting about the ways in which our Hebrew ancestors lived:
http://www.phoenicia.org/pagan.html
http://www.angelfire.com/pa/WoundedDove/canaanite1.html
http://www.jewitchery.com/
http://www.geocities.com/soho/lofts/2938/templetoc.html
http://www.lilitu.com/jap/B'ruchot,
Simcha
> Simcha, what an interesting story. I can see where an orthodox Reb would not feel the need for conversion. I can see your need for one. It must have been a moving and deeply felt ritual for you.
>
> Jewish Pagen...I have no idea what that means! I am aware of the Shechinah, the female nature of God, the Sabbath Bride, but I'd love to hear more of this paganism. Certainly there are strong women in the old testement, but they were human.
>
> Thanks for sharing your story. It's captivating
> Hab
Posted by habbyshabit on August 28, 2003, at 11:08:10
In reply to Re: Simcha - re: Judaism » habbyshabit, posted by Simcha on August 24, 2003, at 18:10:45
Simcha, that was a very interesting journey through jewish paganism (isn't that an oxymoron?)
And I thought I had seen everything! Thanks for the awakening. I didn't read too deeply, but I can see where there is plenty to keep your mind a buzz with dieties to enjoy and work with.
Thanks again, Simcha. Hab
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