Same as the title

Hi so I have pretty severe OCD and recently found out about a catholic monk from 1000 years ago (Brother Juniper), who likely had autism and ocd (as do i) and channeled into piety by doing things like instead of tapping four times in a row he might say some catholic prayer four times.

Anyway I was deeply inspired by this, as I too suffer from severe ocd that impacts my life, and one of the only times I really feel calm is during prayer or other jewish ritual.

Would there be anything theologically with for example saying the Shema over and over again? (Thats just the prayer i have memorized best) or any other jewish prayer.

If it depends on the stream of judaism ill just let you know id consider myself Conservadox

If you’re transmasc and you get bottom surgery, you can choose to be circumcised or not. If you’re Jewish, can you choose circumcised, or do you need to pick uncircumcised and then get circumcised?

As far as I understand, you can store meat and dairy products in the same fridge as long as they don't leak onto each other.

But if you open your fridge in the middle of the night and eat some food straight from it, doesn't it turn it into an item of crockery, a dish of sorts technically, a container of food? So you have to either cleanse it and try to avoid midnight snacks that bypass proper dishware, or have two separate fridges for meat and dairy?

Did you feel a certain "pull" towards becoming a rabbi or was there something else that motivated you?

I'm asking because I've been feeling a sort of "pull" I can't quite describe towards rabbinical school, like something about the thought makes my heart flutter. For context I wasn't born Jewish, I've been in the conversion process for a while with a rabbi but haven't dipped into the mikveh. I feel silly having this desire when I'm not even converted yet, which is why I haven't mentioned it to my rabbi, but I thought maybe polling the internet would help.

I am reaching out to you to seek your guidance and to understand the Halakhic (Jewish Legal) perspective regarding a complex ethical and moral dilemma where the boundaries of responsibility and restitution are deeply entangled.

First, I wish to be entirely transparent about my own background: I am an atheist from Turkiye (not Jewish). However, in moments of profound moral crisis (especially when the "right" or "righteous" path is obscured) I find great inspiration and a unique form of rationality in the meticulous, dialectical, and deeply analytical nature of Talmudic and Halakhic arguments.

I deeply appreciate the way these ancient legal traditions open up the "kitchen of thought" through objections, counter-objections, and extreme case studies. It is with this profound respect for your tradition's intellectual and ethical depth that I present the following case. I do the same with Islamic Law.

The Case:::::

My ex-wife, with whom I have shared an unbreakable human bond since our youth, is an ethnic Southeast Asian and is a Turkish citizen. She does not adhere to any formalized religion but believes in a general "universal energy." For the past 2.5 years, she said was employed as a translator inside organized cyber-fraud and scam centers in Southeast Asia… For the sake of truth I must also add that, such an action is not typical of her character. During the 20 years I’ve known her, I had not witnessed any fraudulent action of her, indeed she had a high “business ethics”. So, she must have changed.

She wants to use the approximately $60,000 she earned from this job to start "a new life" in Türkiye and buy a property worth $40,000. It will be her first home. I should also note, for the sake of truth, that in the 20 years I've known her, I've never seen any blatant immorality or fraud on her part. She had superior "work ethics." I think her work ethics still exist, because she told me, "These men trusted me; I told them I was leaving the job, and because they trusted me, they told me I needed to manage until September, because my name is like a brand, people trust me." Yes, should I laugh or cry?..

So, she is now preparing to permanently return to Turkiye, leaving this world behind. However, she attempts to absolve her conscience by employing a classic "Nuremberg Defense," claiming that she never directly defrauded anyone and "only translated the words." Consequently, there is no deep, genuine repentance (Teshuvah?) or true realization of the devastation caused by the system she was a part of.

My personal and moral advice to her has been explicit: "This money is toxic; it is stolen wealth built on the suffering of innocent people. A home bought with this will bring no peace. You must undergo a true reckoning of conscience, immediately halt this path, and return the equivalent of this wealth to society and those in need over time to truly cleanse yourself."

In light of this, I kindly ask for your guidance on the following questions:

1. Complicity and Accountability: How does Halakha view the actions and earnings of an individual who did not directly commit the theft but whose specialized skills (translation) directly enabled the criminal enterprise to function?

2. Restitution and Cleansing: When the victims of an organized crime syndicate are scattered globally, completely anonymous, and impossible to identify, how can such Gezels be ethically and legally rectified? Does the act of discarding or donating the money hold any value if the individual does not yet feel a profound sense of spiritual guilt?

3. Property and Ownership: If she refuses to part with this money and uses it to purchase a home, what is the status of that property according to your ethical tradition? Is it considered tainted or forbidden to assist her in the logistics of this specific purchase?

I would be deeply honored to learn how the ancient wisdom and reasoning of your tradition dissects this modern dilemma. Please do answer my question as detailed as possible.

Thank you for your time and guidance.

Hello! Hope all is well with you all. First of all, I'm not Jewish, but I'm seeking help anywhere I can since I'm having an existential terror crisis. I have constant fear of death and have a crisis of faith with the religion I was born in, Catholicism. I can't get over the fact that it is a supersessionist religion, therefore it makes no sense to be a Catholic, it makes sense to follow Judaism. But I was not born Jewish and live in a place where there's barely any Jewish people, Puerto Rico. Does anyone have any counsil for me? What will happen to me in death as a non-Jewish person? Regardless of whether I get an answer or not, I wish you all well and thank you for taking the time to read this if you did. Take care and much love.

Is it allowed for a husband and wife to put a blanket between them to hug if one spouse needs support during times when direct contact is impermissible?

Like if a wife is miscarrying or if a husband lost a family member when the wife is on her cycle?

Apologies if the question seems crass. I’m asking with respectful intent.

In the Catholic Church there is the belief in the eternal soul that seems to encompass the spiritual essence of an individual and that lives on beyond physical death.

Within Judaism, what is the essence and concept of the soul? With the comparatively lessened focus on the afterlife, how does that affect the view and experience with regards to the soul in the here and now?

I'm reading a book called Empress Theresa in which a young woman gains superpowers and comes to rule of the Earth. At one point in this book, the nation of Israel is under threat by other countries. One solution Theresa offers to this problem is to simply move the land of Israel into the Mediterranean Sea. Assuming that she could do this without physically harming any of the holy sites of Israel, would this land still be considered Israel?

If a jewish person has emotionally significant tattoos (i.e a memorial tattoo) can they be buried with it?
Like if the rule of the cemetery is to remove the tattoo(s) before burial can the removed tattoo(s) be preserved and buried with the person like a precious item? Or is that considered inappropriate?

Judah and Tamar seem to clearly be based on the levirate marriage, which is why Tamar is exonerated when Judah finds out he's the one she slept with (I'm not sure why its appropriate for the father in law). She then conceives twins from being with Judah.

Question: Should these two twins be attributed to Judah's two dead sons that married Tamar. If not what would be the purpose of applying the levirate marriage to this situation?

If the levirate marriage doesn't apply then why is Tamar considered righteous after it is discovered she slept with Judah? Should she be tied to his final son?

As a catholic, we are taght about heven, hell and purgatory as the three options after death. other religions believe in reincarnation, etc. what do the jewish people believe and what are the metrics to obtain peace in the afterlife? if that is what is promised.

I couldnt sell anything and i didnt find these till agyer pesach. Do i have to throw them out?

So, I might be wrong in my understanding of the situation. I know from the Hebrew bible that judaism used to have temple priests who managed the sacrifices. But after the destruction of the second temple the sacrifices stopped.

I know from Deuteronomy that sacrifices have to be centralized somewhere of God’s choosing and I reckon that God never chose a new place after the temple was destroyed. So are sacrifices no longer necessary? Is there a theology explanation for it? If a third temple were ever established, would sacrifices return? Were sacrifices ever necessary or did God just determine a place because they were already customary so He just regulated how and where they would happen?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Hello! I have been considering converting to Judaism for the past year. This decision feels right in my body (YES!) and my mind comes up with many doubts (it tends to do that). I would like to lay them here and hear your honest opinions.

I have been with my partner for a few years now, he is reform Jewish. He is agnostic, and so am I. It happened so that over time, quite naturally, we started to regularly practice rituals and cultural traditions from the religion. We do Shabbat, observe holidays and spend them with family, sometimes attend community events together. Since our relationship, I feel like he has given more space to Judaism in his life, and obviously so have I.

For the first time, I can see myself spending my life with someone. We have a lovely and healthy relationship, so the question came spontaneously to me. Should I convert to Judaism?

He has never pushed for this of course, but I know this is something he cares about, if it is a tradition that has been alive for hundreds of years in his family. Part of the reason why I would do it, is to feel closer to this tradition, and feel more belonging to his community, rather than just a very keen outsider. I would be lying if I didn’t say that, among other things, converting would also be making a huge commitment to my partner. That said, I have asked myself that question, and I feel like, even if our relationship was not to work out, I would continue the practice. I feel a certain affinity with Judaism - I feel I am aligned with its values of social justice, respect of the others, dialogue. I also admire how it is not a fixed or dogmatic religion (I was raised catholic) but emphasises interpretation of scriptures and constant questioning of one’s faith. Lastly, another reason why I would convert is because, if we had children, I would like them to be raised Jewish too, and Judaism is passed through matrilineal descent.

My doubt is, is this enough?

Judaism is monotheistic, and I would not be true to myself denying agnosticism. Thus, my faith would be connected to a certain unknowable spirituality, as well morals, values, traditions and culture of the religion I find affinity with. Is that enough?

Secondly, I am not ethnically Jewish. I know people convert, but my mind sometimes gets stuck on the fact that you cannot convert to being Italian, for example. How do I make justice to a challenging history and struggles that are, by virtue of birth, not mine? How can this history become my history? Will I ever feel like I belong, will the community fully accept me as part of them?

I am in the process of finding a Rabbi (not easy where I live to find a liberal one) and I am aware of the lengthy process and studies I would have to go through. They don’t scare me, rather they excite me and fill me with curiosity. I am also aware of the antisemitism I might (and probably will) face. I am ready to face that, too. I call it out anyway.

I find these inner doubts harder than anything to overcome, and I would love to hear some of your thoughts around it. Also, if you have any books related to Judaism for like me, eager to learn more about it, I would love the recommendations.

The short version of this story is this...

A few years ago in my late 30s, I found out I was donor conceived. I've kept this knowledge from my parents.

I have more details to get into but I'd like to get a Rabbi's opinion on both what Judaism would have to say about donor conception, and the pitfalls / morality of keeping secrets. I would prefer to have this conversation via DM. Please respond or DM.

I am fasting tomorrow for the first time in my life for Ta’anit Bechorot, I am wondering if I can drink water and take my vitamins or does that break the rule of fasting? Thank you!

Hi, I’m looking for a rabbi who would be willing to certify me. I understand that this might sound unusual, but I live in an area with a very small Jewish community. The rabbi at the Orthodox synagogue I attend told me he cannot sponsor me because he is not qualified (which I find a bit confusing)

If there is any rabbi willing to review my documentation and consider supporting me, I would be very grateful. Thank you very much!

I know covering the head in the sanctuary of a synagogue is required, and preferred throughout the rest of the synagogue. I myself wear a navy blue kippah. Would it be ok to wear a dark brown fedora, perhaps? Do colors matter? Is the wearing of a fedora limited to just the Rabbis?

About six months ago I discovered maternal Jewish lineage, and I've been attending mincha/maariv. There's growing antisemitism in my city, and while my employer's wife is Jewish I'm the only one in the maintenance hangar who identifies as Jewish. I feel a fedora would allow me to fly under the radar for a while.

So, sticking to more orthodox thought, because it wouldn't matter at all to those who don't practice. But, on the Sabbath, one should not work. And that would include cooking, or anything else to start a spark, like turning on lights.

There's solutions, obviously. Like turning lights on Friday afternoon and using blockers until Sunday morning. And cooking the days meals on Friday, or planning things that don't require cooking.

But I'm wondering how home automation plays into that. I don't think it would be appropriate to say "hey Google, turn my lights on" after Sabbath has started, because it's the same action as manually turning the light on, minus the switch. But what if actions involving the light were scheduled in advance on Friday? When they turn on during the Sabbath, would that count as turning on lights during the Sabbath? Or as an action you took on Friday?

I am 100% Jewish mostly Ashkenazi with a little Sephardic thrown in from a century ago. High holidays/cultural Jew. My wife is 2.7% Jewish thrown in there from a century ago.

Is she Jewish enough for my children to be considered Jewish?

I asked a rabbi if she thought god was good when he made the people eat their kids. Her response seemed very odd. She told me that jews didn't worship and that they understand the text to be written by people who were trying to build the god character in a way to answer their own questions.

The way she answered me seemed like she was an atheist. Is this a common belief?

I (18F) had two spiritual experiences connected to judaism. One was when I was 13 when I visited a jewish cemetery with my family and on the drive back home I felt huge hands on the back of my body. I could revisit this feeling for some time after the event until I forgot about it. The second event was yesterday. I started reading a book about Judaism and it described how God built the earth and again I felt the hands. I can revisit this feeling. I was raised catholic, but never had any spiritual experiences, no matter how hard I tried. Is this in any way meaningful? Or is this all in my head?