Being religious in Judaism

[Unveiled Artist]

Why do some people think that being religious in Judaism means not driving on Sabbath or keeping kosher and if not your not considered religious. no ones perfect. But If someone keeps kosher but is not caring they're still considered religious?

If someone is not caring and they keep Kosher (I don't know what this means, but I heard of it), if it's fasting then the fasting doesn't make sense. In Christianity, what I learned is that when you fast (or do anything of religious discipline), you are not thinking of "not eating meat on Fridays" you are thinking of the relation to that and Jesus (in Christian case), god's commandments, and how that relates to caring and not caring or others.

It's an interrelation. Once you separate religious discipline, keeping kosher to doing rituals in Paganism, you defeat the purpose of what it actual means to be religious.

Instead, I feel a person is religious if she not only does the part but actually relates what she does to her everyday life. For example, I can go to my altar all I want, pray to my ancestors, spirits, and healing to my family. I can jump on my head and spin around but if I am not reflecting my practices outside of my apartment, what does it really mean?

When your reflect your practices like Kosher outside of "ritual" (as bias people see it) and more towards like eating and drinking, then someone who is caring and someone who keeps kosher are the same thing and same category.

It's a contradiction if someone is uncaring but they keep Kosher. What is that religious practice teaching them about life and their relation to others and their god?

That's religious. If there is a conflict, no, they are not religious.

 

[Tumah]

What's wrong with questions?
Religious college wasn't my choice I was brought up by my parents like that.

Because if you actually did go, then you must have learned what they were teaching, so why are you asking us if you already know?
If you didn't learn what they were teaching, why are you making threads about what you were taught?

 

[Tumah]

In general people that don't keep Shabbat now days don't do it on purpose there's too many outside influences they can't help it.

So then why are there so many people that do keep it?

 

[Leo613]

So then why are there so many people that do keep it?

I said "those" that don't...

 

[Tumah]

I said "those" that don't...

Yes, I know what you said. Your excuse is that those people can't help themselves because of too much outside influences. My retort is that there are tens of thousands that do keep it despite those outside influences. So maybe "outside influences" is not the reason they aren't keeping it.

 

[Leo613]

Yes, I know what you said. Your excuse is that those people can't help themselves because of too much outside influences. My retort is that there are tens of thousands that do keep it despite those outside influences. So maybe "outside influences" is not the reason they aren't keeping it.

It's like political opinion some are influenced by one party. doesn't mean everybody's influenced.

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

I said "those" that don't...

Leo it is very basic and simple, all written in Torah ...
Sabbath and Kosher laws are clear and simple to read ...
so it is choice to not keep them

 

[Leo613]

Leo it is very basic and simple, all written in Torah ...
Sabbath and Kosher laws are clear and simple to read ...
so it is choice to not keep them

Whats simple about that?

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

Whats simple about that?

Kosher, a clear simple statement of animals acceptable to eat, and clear statement
to separate meat and milk ...

Sabbath, really clear to
Exodus 20:8-11King James Version (KJV)
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

 

[Leo613]

Kosher, a clear simple statement of animals acceptable to eat, and clear statement
to separate meat and milk ...

Sabbath, really clear to
Exodus 20:8-11King James Version (KJV)
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

It's easier said then done clearly by the reality of life

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

It's easier said then done clearly by the reality of life

How odd, I have no difficulty

 

[Leo613]

How odd, I have no difficulty

We're all different

 

[roger1440]

In my community they're totally corrupt socially financially etc. but because they're rabbis they're given respect and regarded as religious orthodox and the rest.

It’s probably wiser to use scripture as a point of reference rather then what the neighbors think.

 

[Leo613]

It’s probably wiser to use scripture as a point of reference rather then what the neighbors think.

I think its also important how we treat each other

 

[roger1440]

I think its also important how we treat each other

Yes, you are right. Over and over again the Jewish prophets reminded the Jews of that. It not just the outward profession of faith that matters. It’s also the inward conviction to God. In other wards it’s not just what the world sees that matters. What also matters is what God sees in our heart. The outward traditions, rituals and whatever else must be a reflection on our commitment to God. A person can fake it, but they are only fooling themselves. What matters most is how we relate to the world around us.

 

[Akivah]

It's easier said then done clearly by the reality of life

If you're looking for permission to not obey the Sabbath laws, then you won't find any knowledgeable Jews that will support you. But if you're looking to follow the Sabbath laws better than you're doing now, then that is easy. Just pick one observance that you aren't currently doing, like lighting the candles, and do it. You will have elevated yourself (and be considered "more religious") just by doing that one additional action.

 

[roger1440]

It's easier said then done clearly by the reality of life

Can you give an example how it's easier said then done?

 

[Tumah]

It's like political opinion some are influenced by one party. doesn't mean everybody's influenced.

What makes people more prone to being influenced by a given party?
Likewise, what makes one more easily able to keep Shabbos?

 

[Leo613]

What makes people more prone to being influenced by a given party?
Likewise, what makes one more easily able to keep Shabbos?

1. I think if they identify with it
2. I suppose education and society

 

[Leo613]

Can you give an example how it's easier said then done?

Like walking in the rain instead of driving on Sabbath.