inquisitive minds want to know

For some people this post will make sense......for others it'll be a "Duh" moment...but I'll do my bestest to explain...

In North America today, there are basically three main branches of Judaism. They are Orthodox, Conservative and Reform...and,  within these denominations themselves there is a great degree of variation in practice and observance. 

I belong to a Reform Congregation. You've probably heard me talk about many of the things I've done with my Temple friends. Reform Judaism is a bit more liberal or progressive. We try to practice the religious beliefs according to the Torah but more specifically we try to adapt them to more modern times. 

In Orthodox Judaism the Torah is taken literally with no room for changing things around. The Torah is the law of God handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai and Orthodox adhere to the interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah at all times and in all places. 

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Last night our group of ladies were invited into an Orthodox Jewish home....VERY different from what we, as Reform Jews,  experience day to day. With modesty being a very key factor (Orthodox Judaism requires both men and women to substantially cover their bodies. This involves covering the elbows and knees. One of the reasons why most Orthodox women don't wear pants: 'kli gever' - the prohibition for a woman to dress like a man.)

so.....we all found the skirts that were lying around our closets and got them out !!! I haven't actually worn a skirt in years...I'm totally a pants girl !!

It felt really nice. I might have to do it more often.

The object of the evening, as we all sat around a huge dining room table, was to ask each other lots of questions about how the other lives.

I was so happy to learn that women are endowed with a greater degree of "binah" (intuition, understanding, intelligence) than men. LOL....good to know !!

We were served wonderful treats especially delicious kugel...(which is a baked pudding or casserole, similar to a pie and most commonly made from egg noodles or potatoes). and we sat around the table for 3 hours just asking questions (on both sides) and learning...learning...learning...

For one thing there are NO televisions in the house. They study Torah instead. I can't even imagine what I'd do without my 'programs' !!

The evening was so incredible and so filled with amazing dialogue that we already have it in the works to do a repeat performance. It's very important, in this 21st century,  to be knowledgeable and tolerant of differences.

Now...please bear in mind...Im NOT an expert on this subject..so if you need to know more...try GOOGLE !!!!

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Now..on to ETSY....

Have you visited my shop lately...lotsa goodies...I am especially proud of this really special piece I finished today using lots of Vintaj, NUNN Design, Kabela Design and other brass findings.

I also used Epoxie clay resin...a 2 part putty that air hardens 

stay warm East coasters..... go shopping on ETSY !!! 

Comments

[Laurie Hunt]

Thanks Suze for sharing. I always find it interesting when you do. I am not sure if you can find it on the OWN website or netflix or something like that, but Oprah did a wonderful two day piece (I'm not sure if it was two or three hours but it was substantial). She was given permission to spend time in an Hacidic (I am not sure on spelling) Jewish home or maybe a couple of homes with a small group of women. It was incredibly interesting the difference in the way they lived compared to most. Just for your information.

[lyle baxter]

what a great thing to do! If we all would spend more time considering what other believe and how they live we might find some peace! thank you for sharing your adventure with us!

[Kathy Gledsdale]

Indeed a very interesting evening, good to keep learning.

[Martha Richardson]

You always have the most interesting posts...I for one am an information seeker so these posts just become more info. for me...TFS!

[Evelyn in Oregon]

Suze...thank you for the little lesson on today's Judaism! I know only what I have read, which is limited. When we visited New York last April, it was Easter/Passover Week, and we visited the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. There were many families of what I believe are Orthodox Jews. Are Hasidic Jews and Orthodox the same? What I noticed were beautiful young women and children, but the husbands were strange-looking to me because of their hair and those big fur hats. Fascinating for me!