Jewish Orthodox Mum Part II AMA

[mirah2]

I'm probably letting myself in for it, but here goes...

New AMA to mop up any questions that didn't get answered on the first (full) thread. If you're sure (after reading all of that thread) that your question wasn't answered, or have a new question, please post.

I probably won't have time to reply until after dinner and kids' bedtime.

I am NOT the OP of the original thread. My frame of reference - Modern Orthodox, British (living in UK), convert, mixed race heritage.

Fellow Orthodox Jews of Mumsnet - feel free to crowd share answers, but please remember:

• this is not the shul kiddush. This is a public internet forum anyone can read
• please be sensitive and think about how others (Jewish and not Jewish) might interpret what you say. We sometimes have different working definitions of words within our bubbles so be mindful of that.

Go forth and post!

Those of you who are browsing youtube for videos on Jewish life know that although there are many videos representing Orthodox jewish life beautifully, but there are probably many more that don't.
That is because generally the ultra orthodox don't have much social media, and wouldn't be blogging their life on youtube, so the narrative is often times left up to those who left orthodoxy, and will be quite anti-orthodox. (As seen in Unorthodox and My othodox life etc..)

Are Jews specifically prohibited from going in churches?

Are non-Jews prohibited from entering a shul?

Actually, I've been to a Jewish funeral and there were quite a lot of us who were not Jewish - it was at the Jewish crematorium in north London, I think. Golders Green?
Mind you, it was not an Orthodox family at all.

Thank you. I respect that, that is the faith, but also find this exclusivity quite sad...

Surely Jewish people will be able to watch the highlights of the Coronation or stream it later, same as people who have to work. I'm glad that the Chief Rabbi is going, and representatives of other faiths.

As other PPs have mentioned, the Chief Rabbi will be staying with the King for Shabbat! I'd love to know what Fri night dinner will be like.

We were chatting about this earlier. The Chief Rabbi is in an unusual position as community leader - there will have been a lot of discussion with his Beth Din (religious court - he does consult with them) about what he should and shouldn't do on coronation day. Both because of Shabbat and because it is a Christian ceremony in a church. OTOH, there will also have been a lot of discussion with the Palace about accommodating the Chief Rabbi e.g. not having microphones. It's really interesting and encouraging that this is happening at all!

I've been to weddings in synagogues and have been made most welcome.

It's actually a bit more complicated than that (on the idolatry point). But yes - as a rule we do not enter churches, especially for religious services. This is very much an exception to the rule.

Maybe it wasn't a crematorium. I can't actually remember now. But definitely a Jewish funeral.

Okay, so the ceremony was at Hoop Lane. (Mill Hill)

Surely it's only a form of idolatory in your opinion.
I am disappointed to see this remark because I find it offensive.

Yes, we will watch on catch-up. But for the very Christian bits we will probably turn the sound down low. This is also what we did for the Queen's funeral.

Is anyone finding this person’s somewhat abrasive style… kind of familiar?

Maybe I’m paranoid…

I'm interested that you turn the sound down for the religious parts? Aren't prayers universal, or is it something that you do not want to hear?

Completely agree and I think the same.

Also, although I’m generally cynical about the whole coronation shebang (while at the same time looking forward to seeing some pretty dresses and sparkly things), I am genuinely glad to see faiths other than Christianity being represented and heard. There is much to criticise about the monarchy, but this is undeniably a Good Thing, IMO.

As I said upthread, when you actually dig into it it's more complicated. It's one of those areas where what people are brought up with doesn't necessarily match the halacha.

There are different views on this in halacha - I went to a series of shiurim (classes) on this recently by a Rabbi. But in short - Catholic churches with icons are seen as closer to idolatry but other Christian denominations less so. There is still a rule against entering the sanctuary of churches in certain circumstances. But we generally do not put Christians in the same boat as, say, the actual pagans who Jews were dealing with back in Biblical times.

@FinchleyRd - I think you misunderstand. Christianity is not a form of idolatry. If there are statues or images in a church, they are a focus for prayer and meditation, not worshipped in themselves.

If it's a specifically Christian prayer referring to the Trinity etc, I'd rather not hear it. Especially if my kids are also watching.

I grew up around Christians though so I am possibly more sensitive to this.

Absolutely.
And the "low" Christian denominations actively discourage statues and images in churches. I am referring to the Baptists, for example, or the Methodists.

Not forgetting the Scottish Presbyterians and Wee Frees.

Hoop Lane (which is Golders Green, you were right) has a Jewish cemetery attached to a couple of synagogues, one Reform and one Sephardi. There is also a non-denominational crematorium, which some Jews will use (I believe Amy Winehouse was cremated there). But cremation is a definite no-no for Orthodox Jews and pretty unusual even for non-orthodox Jews - although they might not have a religious objection, it's not culturally something generally done.