I was born into the Jewish faith but my parents did not really practice a lot. They separated and I was left with my mom who did not practice at all. Now I have a void in my life and I know it is because I do not have G-d in my life. How do I learn now? What should I read that will explain everything to me like I am a five-year-old?

Lshanah Tovah
It is wonderful you have this interest in Judaism. and the rabbis here without question wonderful. is there a jewish community near you but more importantly what is it you like to learn?

There's a Chabad Center in El Paso.

Chabad - El Paso

I am interested in learning all the holidays and beliefs. I will be going to schul for Yom Kippur as a new beginning and I will be getting help from the rabbi but I do not want to seem like I realy do not know anything...which I do not. I am so ashamed I have no clue but I still call myself a Jew whenever I am asked and praying for the person not to inquire any further. I have looked into the temples here and I have found some.

quote:

Originally posted by Adree:

quote:

Originally posted by Yisroel Phillips:
There's a Chabad Center in El Paso.

Chabad - El Paso

I thank you but is this a reform or a conservative temple?

Chabad (the Lubavitch Movement) is Orthodox.

Chabad is what some call Ultra-Orthodox, even so their out-reach program of their Chabad House is geared toward jews from all different backgrounds from semi obervent to somone just born jewish but never really experience any thing jewish. as well the hold learning session as well. you should if you can give a call to the rabbi of the chabad house there where you are.

don't feel ashame rather feel joyous for you are beganing to learn about yourself and your rich heritage.

quote:

Originally posted by Adree:
I was born into the Jewish faith but my parents did not really practice a lot. They separated and I was left with my mom who did not practice at all. Now I have a void in my life and I know it is because I do not have G-d in my life. How do I learn now? What should I read that will explain everything to me like I am a five-year-old?

Chabad of El Paso is a very good resource for you. Just e-mail them or call them and explain them everything. AskMoses.com is a good site that allows you to chat live with a Rabbi 24/6 all for free. It also features an online database of articles from the basics of Judaism to more advanced stuff. Great site for everyone no matter what level, also good for the non-Jew! Chabad.org is the main Chabad Lubavitch site and offers a wealth of information for everyone. Mazel Tov and good Yom Tov!

I'm in your same boat. I was born Jewish, but not raised so. So, a year ago (17) I become interested in Yiddishkeit, and so I began learning. I learned all I could, learned how to read Hebrew, learned the words and Gemora and Chumash.

I now Daven at the local Chabad Shul, and hope to eventually become fully shomer mitzvos. I continually impress him with my knowledge (for a 1 year BT!) In his words: "You know a lot for a person who wasn't raised in shul."

The chief advice I can give you is don't stop learning. Let desire for Jewish Knowledge consume you. On the practical end of things: I've found http://www.aish.com, http://www.e-daf.com, and http://www.chabad.org to be most useful.

Kol Tuv,
Daniel

I deleted some of the posts in this topic because they were suggesting books written by conservative Rabbis. The Global Yeshiva is an Orthodox forum and does not allow such material to be posted since it undermines the foundations of Judaism.

Ah

I'm glad to see such a stance on liberal Yiddishkeit.

I want to thank everyone for their input! I feel almost relieved, especially because I know the Jewish faith is so concerning with tradition, I felt like the little black duckling at first. Now I have spoken to the Rabbi and he is pushing me.

quote:

Originally posted by Daniel Jewell:
Ah

I'm glad to see such a stance on liberal Yiddishkeit.

What do you mean by "Liberal Yiddishkeit", can you please clarify?

I think he was supporting Rabbi Mitterhoff in his deletion of certain messages.

quote:

Chabad.org is the main Chabad Lubavitch site and offers a wealth of information for everyone.

I applaud Chabad for their outreach and they can be a good resource in many communities where they are the only option for Orthodox Judaism, HOWEVER, you should know that they DO NOT represent mainstream Orthodoxy and they espouse some views that are problematic to many.

i.e., there are many, many, sources and views other than just "the Rebbe's" ztl.

Kol tuv,
Robby

Shalom Robby,
You asked to be taught about Judiasm the way in which one would teach a five year old. Nu?
Okay here goes....I once asked my mother the same question. At that time in my life (I was 11)I thought that my brothers recieved the great Orthodox education and that she was leaving me out.What she told me was this...
"Mrs. Cohen accross the street is not well,please go rake her lawn. She likes likes a nice lawn."
I wanted to know so much about what my brothers were learning about Judiasm that I raked her lawn. When I came home I said "Mother I helped Mrs. Cohen now will you tell me about what you and David (my brother ) were speaking about?"
"First she said, you need to help your brother copy some of his studies for Yeshiva, he doesn't have time to take them to the library."
So, I made copies at the library. When I came home I asked again "Mother please I want to study tell me what you are teaching!"
"Well, it's like this she said, now you must study Torah, a day without Torah wiould be shum a shod!"
I studied Torah and returned to my mother. I said "Mother now please, please, please tell me about Judiasm!"
To which she replied "You have done what I asked?"
"Yes I said"
"You have done this with a joyful heart?"
"Yes mother,I replied."
"Good she said...lesson over."

<<Shalom Robby,
You asked to be taught about Judiasm the way in which one would teach a five year old. Nu?
>>

No...I didn't ask anything! <s>

quote:

Originally posted by sam-:

quote:

Originally posted by Daniel Jewell:
Ah

I'm glad to see such a stance on liberal Yiddishkeit.

What do you mean by "Liberal Yiddishkeit", can you please clarify?

I suppose quotation marks were in order, to show the sarcasm with which the comment was made.

quote:

I suppose quotation marks were in order, to show the sarcasm with which the comment was made.

This IS an Orthodox forum.....and our views on what some call "liberal Judaism" are quite clear.

Shabbat Shalom