QUESTION FOR JEWISH CG MEMBERS

[pacrat]

I've had very few Jewish friends/acquaintances over the years. And currently know none. Last one moved to Thailand and went off grid.

Is it OK for non Jews to wear a Yarmulke?

Especially just for the purpose of fitting in, and/or give the appearance of caring about Jews?

[mtenenhaus]

Interesting question,

please note that i have no specific authority or formal background to definitively make such a pronouncement on the issue

...that said, it is my understanding that it is generally considered a matter of respect and of course etiquette.

When my non-Jewish friends (I've been blessed with many non Jewish friends) attended Jewish weddings, funerals or visited Jewish holy places, many if not all chose to wear a head covering and they were gratefully and warmly welcomed.

From a personal perspective i found it heartwarming....we've always been close as brothers. I would die for them.

Similarly i make certain i respect formalities, tradition and etiquette when i participate or enter other cultures' religious institutions and celebrations. I've done so when visiting or operating in Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu countries with permission and direction of course.

[pacrat]

Thank you for the concise answer mtenenhaus.

Just what I was looking for.

[Garand Hunter]

Maybe visit a synagogue and ask a few questions in a respectful manner ? The only time I was ever in one the local PR man wasn't wearing one.

Psalm 1

[missed again]

It's common if not even usual for non-Jews attending synagogue services, a Jewish wedding, and so on to wear a yarmulka for the reasons you and mtenenhaus mentioned.

[BigPimping]

A Kippah is respectful for all faiths to wear.

[Yugo]

I am Jewish, I do not wear one as I am not religious but I will put one on in a temple and so on, if you wanna wear a head covering to show respect then thats how others will take it.

Its just like this video.


if you wear something from another culture as a sign of respect if you wear it as a joke you will not be respected.

[nick]

The difference between the UCLA dumbasses and the Mexicans on Olvera st. is UCLA (and likely the school district they went to). It looks like the sure way to become an idiot is to attend college these days.

[PriceTag]

Originally Posted by pacrat

I've had very few Jewish friends/acquaintances over the years. And currently know none. Last one moved to Thailand and went off grid.

Is it OK for non Jews to wear a Yarmulke?

Especially just for the purpose of fitting in, and/or give the appearance of caring about Jews?

There is no religious mandate in Judaism for men to cover their heads. It is, however, a tradition. Men are encouraged to wear them as a reminder that no matter how much we earn or learn or give to worthy causes, there is always the heavenly court up above where we will ultimately answer for our actions. Women, being partners with the Almighty in bringing new life into the world are seen as closer to the Almighty and not in need of a constant reminder.

Observant Jews will wear some sort of head covering all day, everywhere. This is the traditional Jewish version of EDC. It is a sign of humility before G_d and a demonstration of modesty.

As with anything, intent is a big part of how others should rightly perceive our actions. Speaking only for myself, unless somebody is openly mocking the yarmulke they are wearing by playing with it or intentionally dropping it repeatedly, I see it as a mark of respect for my culture.

As always, your mileage may vary.

[krb]

Hi. AFAIK the only Jewish law gentiles are not supposed to practice is the sabbath on Saturday (as we practice it). Otherwise a non Jew is welcome to practice any of our laws he wishes. It might appear odd for a gentile to wear a yarmulke outside of a Jewish event but there is certainly no prohibition. With that said there are seven (noahide) laws that all of mankind is commanded to obey - generally these are negative laws (ie prohibitions) eg no murder or stealing but one positive commandment - to establish a formal Justice system.

[Garand Hunter]

Who says all of mankind is commanded to obey all seven Noahide laws ? Since when and by who ? Uhh Pricetag since when are women seen as closer to the Almighty than men ? By whom ? They are more emotional, which does not indicate closer to The Almighty !

Psalm 1

[krb]

Hi garand. I’m on the mobile site so can’t respond directly. All descents of Noah according to Judaism are bound by the noahide laws which is all of us. The noahide laws are those necessary for a functioning society that a rational person would develop - prohibitions against murder, stealing, etc and obligation to establish a universal justice mechanism for each society.

Regarding judaisms take on men vs women, most men are born with a physical blemish that impedes connecting to the spiritual that must be corrected and removed - thus the Bris/circumcision - where women are born unblemished. Men’s desires for the forbidden are generally stronger than women’s and women’s connection to the spiritual generally stronger and so men must wear head coverings to remind them that there is a power above them whereas women being more spiritual have no such obligation.

This is of course from a jewish perspective. As regards the above I can’t comment on the Christian perspective.

[krb]

Descendants not descents.

[louie]

I find it tragic that in this day and age we are still mutilating baby boys with a bris! This custom for the most part isn't followed by Christians in Europe, but Americans for whatever reason still do it to a lot of their infant boys. Jews and Muslims still stick to this, but I can't understand why we would keep following something that is akin to child abuse in the U.S.

[krb]

It’s G-d’s plan and instructions for Jewish males to be circumcised ideally at 8 d old. It is the mark of the covenant of entry to the Jewish people. There are much deeper reasons also but we do not obey His commands because we think they make sense. We obey because He is our lord and master and designed the world in such a way this is for our benefit. There are reasons we use to understand keeping kosher, the sabbath, etc. but at the end of the day this is G-d’s will and He designed existence in such a way that it is to build a connection with our Creator and ultimately for our benefit.

As regards gentiles there are health benefits - cancer and venereal disease. But costs also.

[Garand Hunter]

If you are not jewish why sweat the issue, ie circumcision ? I don't, and as for Noahide laws, I do not subscribe to them, period. And as for women more sensitive to the spirit, NO, I have seen too much of the results of women thinking that is true.

Psalm 1

[PriceTag]

Originally Posted by Garand Hunter

Who says all of mankind is commanded to obey all seven Noahide laws ? Since when and by who ? Uhh Pricetag since when are women seen as closer to the Almighty than men ? By whom ? They are more emotional, which does not indicate closer to The Almighty !

Psalm 1

Since this is a thread for questions to Jewish members, you should expect a response from the Jewish perspective. We are taught that the Almighty gave some laws for all, and these are referred to as the Noahide laws. This perspective has been taught by rabbis for millennia and is central to traditional Jewish thought.
Likewise with the idea that women are spiritually closer to our creator because he has chosen them as partners to create new life. One may not like the idea but this is what we are traditionally taught.

As always, your mileage may vary.

[PriceTag]

Louie, your inability to understand why others do what they do does not permit you to judge whether they should do it or not. This is especially true with a central tenet of somebody's religion that has been practiced for over four thousand years.
If you don't hold with circumcision, then don't have one.

[Sailormilan2]

Originally Posted by PriceTag

Since this is a thread for questions to Jewish members, you should expect a response from the Jewish perspective. We are taught that the Almighty gave some laws for all, and these are referred to as the Noahide laws. This perspective has been taught by rabbis for millennia and is central to traditional Jewish thought.
Likewise with the idea that women are spiritually closer to our creator because he has chosen them as partners to create new life. One may not like the idea but this is what we are traditionally taught.

As always, your mileage may vary.

Not Jewish here, but I've come to the idea that to properly understand much of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, one should have some understanding of Jewish ideas.
It was actually a violation of Jewish Law for a Gentile to read the Torah, try to follow the Torah, or keep the Sabbath. Any Gentile caught doing so could be punished and threatened with death.

The Noahide Laws
9.17 What must they do to fulfill their requirement regarding the Law of Justice? They have to set up magistrates and judges in each district to judge the people with regard to these Six Commandments; and they must issue warnings (about them) to the people. A non-Jew who violates one of the Seven Commandments is executed by means of the sword.

9.3 These commandments were universally applicable until Abraham. With Abraham, circumcision was also commanded and he prayed Shacharis (the Morning Prayer). Isaac separated out a tithe and added another prayer in the afternoon and, with Jacob, the prohibition against eating the sciatic nerve was added, as was the Maariv (Evening) Prayer. In Egypt, Amram was commanded with other precepts and, with Moses our Teacher, the Torah was completed.

8.12 Moses our Teacher did not bequeath the Torah and the Commandments to anyone but to Israel, as it says, ?the Heritage of the Congregation of Jacob? (Deut. 33:4), and to anyone from the other nations who wishes to convert, as it says, ?as you, as a convert? (Numbers 15:15). However, no one who does not want to convert is forced to accept the Torah and the Commandments.

10.11 A non-Jew who busied himself with Torah is liable with his life. He must involve himself in their Seven Commandments only. Similarly, a non-Jew who ?rested? as one would on [Sabbath], even on a weekday, is liable with the death penalty. There is no reason to mention (that he is culpable) if he invented his own holiday.
10.12 The principle here is that we do not permit them to make a new religion and create new commandments for themselves based on their own reasoning. They may only become Righteous Converts and accept upon themselves all the Commandments, or they must observe their own (Seven) Laws only, and not add or detract from them. If a non-Jew busied himself with Torah or made [Sabbath] or made up something new, we give him lashes and punish him and tell him that he is liable with the death penalty for doing this. But he is not executed.?

Some parts of the Law specifically exclude non Jews, those who are not circumcised. Passover for one. Plus, the feast of Tabernacles.

[M76]

Originally Posted by pacrat

Especially just for the purpose of fitting in, and/or give the appearance of caring about Jews?

Most jews are secular, the majority of them vote (d), support gun control,
push the false narrative of “White Supremacy” being an issue in the US.

I’m not saying to hate them, just sounds like kissing tuchas…

[louie]

Originally Posted by PriceTag

Louie, your inability to understand why others do what they do does not permit you to judge whether they should do it or not. This is especially true with a central tenet of somebody's religion that has been practiced for over four thousand years.
If you don't hold with circumcision, then don't have one.

Somehow at infancy you really don't get a choice whether to get sniped or not. I still think if you want to get one as an "adult" knock your socks off. If you convert to Judaism you have to get one. Again this is your choice, and it's not usual for an adult male to get snipped. Lucky for Ivanka Trump she's a female or else she would have had one to convert to Judaism!