Judaism

[LoafersOrLouboutins]

I'm expecting my 3rd DC with my DP, who is Jewish. I'm not Jewish but being a Jew is very important to DP, he attended a Jewish school, lives in a Jewish community and regularly visits Israel etc. I know he would like our DC to be raised Jewish but I'm not sure whether he/she will be considered Jewish as I'm not? Also, just how important is conversion? Would a rabbi be understanding of me being pregnant and unmarried? I should ask me DP this but he doesn't seem to have the answers, only that he wants DC to attend Shabbat dinners and have childhood memories of Israel. Many thanks

brokenhearted55a

There are indeed lots of commandments in the bible. Good spot! There is also an oral law, which is why Jewish courts don't stone or strangling people any more, and there are no sacrifices as there is no temple.

the passages you refer to stop are about not imitating mourning practices in the ancient world. They are nothing to do with a brit.

OP - hope all is going well

OP if you have any questions you can PM me. In terms of your DC being jewish, not in orthodox circles, but there are easier 'ways in' if you look at reform communities.

For a baby to convert is much simpler than an adult, but circumcision is part of the process, whichever community you look at. Again, if you need any advice on this please PM me, I won't discuss it on a public thread.

It's a wonderful community and an enriching thing to be part of. I hope you find it welcoming take some joy in it. If you can't, it's a tricky path to take. Good luck

bh55a - it's not necessary in order to be Jewish in the same way as (I understand) baptism is to being a Christian, BUT it's a major thing, as the TravellingLemon says. I've never met any claiming to be Jewish who hasn't had a brit, and it would be considered weird among any group of (even progressive) Jewish people.

As for the covenant, even if something lapses,that doesn't mean it's broken for ever. I have a great grandfather who considered himself a Protestant, certainly wasn't brought up Jewish. It doesn't absolve our family in respect of my DC's....

No, nobody checks! (Apart from his wife!) It is not necessary to be racially jewish at all, but to be religiously Jewish it is. You could lie your way round it I suppose, but it would seem strange to base a religious journey on a lie.

Not a matter of checking. Don't DC's spend their time playing compare and contrast? Mine certainly do, and I'd be amazed if anyone managed to go through the whole of childhood or a week without taking it out.....