[net.religion.jewish] Gentile inquiry

john@cisden.UUCP (John Woolley) (12/20/85)

Would you all have any objection to a friendly Gentile's posting
questions about Judaism?  I frequently find myself wondering how
the Rabbis have interpreted some difficulty in the Bible, or how
some religious question would be answered by real Jews.  Is any-
one likely to object?  Thank you.
-- 
				Peace and Good!,
				      Fr. John Woolley
"The heart has its reasons that the mind does not know." -- Blaise Pascal

de@moscom.UUCP (Dave Esan) (12/23/85)

> Would you all have any objection to a friendly Gentile's posting
> questions about Judaism?  I frequently find myself wondering how
> the Rabbis have interpreted some difficulty in the Bible, or how
> some religious question would be answered by real Jews.  Is any-
> one likely to object?  Thank you.
> -- 
> 				Peace and Good!,
> 				      Fr. John Woolley
> "The heart has its reasons that the mind does not know." -- Blaise Pascal


The answer  to your question is quite difficult and like many things in Judaism
the answer can be yes and no.  I personally do not mind answering your questions
on topics that are not controversial, eg why do you light candles on Friday
night or what is Purim about.  But if you choose an area that can be used for
conversion, eg the fame Isaiah quote, or the plural in the Creation of Man in
Genesis, then I, and Jews in general, must draw the line.  I am sure that
you can understand the reasons why.

So ask away, we can always say no to a particular question, or suggest that
the topic belongs in net.religion not net.religion.jewish.

David Esan (rochester!ritcv!moscom!de)