WHY JEWS DON'T CHOOSE JUDAISM? - Rabbi Michael Skobac

[@AJ21969]

The job of a teacher is to both Comfort The Afflicted and Afflict The Comfortable.

[@AV-nq8zn]

You are such a gift to the world 🌎 💗🌞 Shavua tov Rabbi Skobac!

[@janishart5128]

*Jews for Judaism:* Really appreciate this video, Rabbi Skobac! Just want to point out however, that actually, porcupines don't throw their quills. They're just on their backs to prevent any other animal from biting into them. I also used to believe that they threw their quills, but my sister set me straight - I was shocked! 😉😆 May Hashem continue to bless you and your family, and all those who make Jews for Judaism the success that it has become in returning Jews to Hashem!

[@i.rivera1012]

I have always wanted to know the life of a jew. Raised on the lower Eastside of N.Y.C. I was always surrounded with Jews. I was then 11yrs old and now I'm 68-year-old. Now I come to understand the ways of life and their religious beliefs and their true G-d. I now am a believer of their G-d. Thanks to the teaching of Rabbi Michael Skobac and other Rabbis. Ha-Shem bless them all....👍

[@jackielittle1077]

I'm converting. No question

[@RabbiTuviaKohen]

Huh, did you do a DNA test? Lots of people who come to Convert to become Jewish, frequently find out that they ARE Jewish..

[@johnnyrodriguez708]

Beautiful Thank you

[@j.lsantos9106]

Thank you rabbi

[@glory720]

Thank you Rabbi! This was wonderful.

[@mattalan5025]

Thank you Rabbi Skobac for the encouragement that Judaism will never disappear. How can it? It's Judiasm that brought me near to Adonai Tzva'ot! And without Judaism - How will the world ever know God and the coming of His/our Moshiach - if the faith that created the Jews and Israel should disappear? BH Shalom.

[@TmyLV]

Such a great talk, Rabbi!

[@baruchben-david4196]

Ya know, Rabbi, your talk was interesting, but you seem to believe that Jews just decide not to pursue Judaism, as though it were completely up to them. I would like to share my experience. I am a Jew. I do not have a congregation, nor do I have any affiliation or any connection to a Jewish community. I live in Chicago, where there are plenty of Jews. But I have not found a group that welcomes me. I know that sight unseen, I can walk into just about any church, or ashram, or non-Jewish temple, and be welcomed. There is a Buddhist temple just down the street. I've never set foot in there, but I am confident that if I ever did, they would welcome me. I know this, because I've done it with many religious locations. I've met many caring, sincere people in these places. But I also know that I don't belong with them. I also know that in general, if I walk into a synagogue, I will not be welcomed. The sole exception I have found is the Lubavitchers. Otherwise, no one talks to me or even looks at me. Why is this, I wonder? I know I don't exhibit Yiddishkeit. I don't wear a kippa; don't wear the other items that often identify a Jew. I don't "look Jewish." Still, as a stranger, should I not be welcomed? Now, I have made great efforts to learn Jewish teachings. I went to Israel where I learned Hebrew on an ulpan. Since then I have tried to maintain my ability to read Hebrew, mostly through reading religious texts. This has been quite difficult, since ulpan Hebrew isn't very close to biblical Hebrew, but I did what I could. I have a Tanakh. I have a Chumash. In more prosperous days I had Rashi in five volumes; I was working on acquiring volumes of the Talmud, one by one. I read these texts as well as I could. As you often have pointed out, you don't just read these texts. But I didn't have any other options. Oh, and I also had volumes about Midrash, the Baal Shem Tov, Zohar, Tales of the Hasidim, various books that were either religious, or about the Jewish eligion. I was not apathetic or lazy. I did everything that was in my power to learn Torah. But sadly, it was always alone. And yet, I know that I an more likely to be welcomed at the Hare Krishnas or the Jews for Jesus, or even most evangelical Christian churches, than at a Jewish synagogue. So it's not as though I just decided that Judaism was irrelevant to me, or that I didn't need a "crutch" or that I felt I didn't need God. I didn't decide not to participate in being a Jew. I simply found that I wasn't welcomed by the Jewish congregations. At some point, you just give up. Obviously I haven't quite given up, or I wouldn't be watching your videos or bothering to write this comment. But I really don't have the heart to try walking into yet another synagogue to see whether maybe these people will be a little friendlier than the others. I choose not to go to the other groups, the Hindus or Buddhists or Christians. I don't belong there. I know I don't belong there. But where do I belong?

[@JewsforJudaismCanada]

I have a few suggestions. 1. I get the sense from your email that you are a friendly and caring individual. We need more people like that in the world, and especially the Jewish world. Instead of waiting for someone to say hello to you when you come to shul, why don’t you take the initiative and say hello to others. You may be surprised at the response. 2. If you have found that Chabad synagogues welcome you, then why don’t you make one of them your spiritual home? They have amazing programs, teaching and services … and an usually sumptuous Kiddush. 3. I suspect that you haven’t tried all the synagogues in your area, and that you would find some others that would be welcoming as well. But in general, I would agree that more synagogues could certainly be more welcoming. Thank you for your words.

[@arioctober]

If you came to mine I'd welcome you myself 😁 I know the feeling, it's what led me to run away for 3 years. It was through those 3 years that I learned I could never be anything else. So I have decided to be the welcoming friendly energy I needed when I first started converting because I don't want anyone else to feel the way I did.

[@dreznik]

rabbi skobac's best speech ever. brilliantly crafted. i loved the use of "inchoate". the storytelling/personal accounts were just marvelously entertaining. i still think though that his argument will be hard to justify, as in my understanding his adhesion to religion was more of an emotional one than a rational one. religion is effectively accepted when new members are eased (not to say seduced) into an environment of friendliness and mutual support, which still doesn't make its tenets true. the basic philosophical issue is: even if something makes you feel better it does not mean it is true.

[@gerimich185]

I want to convert but I can't. My location does not allow me to do so. The best I can do is to listen to this great man of God and improve myself. May God continue to bless you Rabbi to enlighten us.

[@JewsforJudaismCanada]

For now, watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4CUp5hqfdhnhtE. If you have any further questions, email [e-mail]

[@shannon9780]

Like I told my kids when they were growing up and new foods were introduced, “try it. Take a “no thank you bite” and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it, but can try it again later in life. Just don’t discount something you haven’t actually experienced yourself.

[@saftabracha1140]

Personally I think we use excuses. For different reasons.

[@kenlbks]

So very true.

[@darekdarecki1234]

Thank you Rabbi, You right on point.

[@jacqualineavery9246]

The spirit of Judaism is lacking immensely.....the fire is going out, sadly. Get rid of the alfoil and 'laws' - get back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and our wonderful Rabbi, Moshe.

[@jeanneamato8278]

There is nothing more fascinating in life than Judaism.

[@rachelabraham5488]

Love being a jew and proud of it Thank you Rabbi

[@sennahoj777]

This was absolutely wonderful!

[@nunyabizness54]

The "Jews" I know, believe in Humanism, not the G-d of the Torah!

[@soleilenvierge]

It would be interesting if a Rabbi could explain why the word "pray" is interpreted to be "talking to God" (or something like that). I personally would be a lot more interested in Judaism if it would give me the tools to understand why the interpretations of some Hebrew words are what they are. (These interpretations seems to be taken for granted for hundreds or thousands of years - What if some genius would come up with some new way of interpreting Hebrew words ? Perhaps the word "pray" could mean something else depending on the context it is used in). I would like to be able to think by myself and I am not interested in any kind of imposition of some very old interpretation of Hebrew words. If Judaism would give the tools for people to think by themselves instead of imposing on to them the way people thought 2000 years ago, I think it would be much more interesting. regards, JA

[@JewsforJudaismCanada]

Rabbi Michael Skobac addresses you concerns in this video - Jewish Prayer and Meditation. Click on the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKixkHiapsucgrc

[@elliotlevy8610]

One point you might be interested to learn is that the Hebrew word for pray is in the reflexive tense, which usually involves someone or something acting upon themselves. (The same is also true for the Hebrew word "to marry".) Jewish prayer is less about speaking to someone and more about finding G-d within yourself.

[@shmuel6]

Hot Damn! Loved the Menu Mashal.

[@sksman71]

So what happens to jews who don't believe In God or they don't fallow Judaism?

[@JewsforJudaismCanada]

This video should answer your question kzbin.info/www/bejne/mInQq5l7is-kg68

[@DrKaii]

Wow Rabbi Skobac was a hippie! Awesome

[@jeanneamato8278]

Judaism is The Creator’s way of showing how much we are loved

[@gabrieljonathan3320]

Woe, unto the Shepherds of Israel wich pastor themselfs. Won't The Shepherd take care of the flock? The Sheep were scattered, each one by his own way like sheeps with no Shepherd, wandering aimlessly, sometimes into the mouth of the wolf. Awake, awake, stand up, O Yerushalayim, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out. There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up. These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee? Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God. But shall the Lord God redeem his people, when he gathers you and take you from all the nations he had scattered you, for the sake of his Holy name that thou hast profaned. And he shall give you a new heart of flesh, and take from you your heart of stone. He shall put his Spirit within you and make you to obey his mitzvot and follow his precepts and his law. When you look unto him whom you have pearced, and morn for him as one morns for his only Son. Then you shall know that he is the Lord.

[@patriciatreslove4449]

Praise G-d for HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL.

[@jackhammer9018]

Do You know how You can become a truck? Tell everyone You are one and come up with a gimmick. Only marry other trucks though.

[@mikebalding5315]

The answer to the question in the title: Because they dont fear YHWH.......

[@pissanukatika3720]

Because they don’t know the truth. They are ignorant concerning the plans of God in Judaism. God will judge this case and manage this matter Himself.

[@dmcyoungyoung638]

Respectfully, many people of color are waking up to their connections to Torah, Hebrews, and Israelites. So, I am confused about the title of this lecture. Perhaps, he’s referencing Caucasian Jews are not choosing Judaism because I see many son’s and daughters of Africa re-establishing connections to this ancient way of life. Perhaps, Judaism is attracting the true adherents around the world, which is increasingly people of color reconnecting to their roots after centuries of White Supremacy and colonialism. Thank you for listening. I welcome anyone that’s a serious student of Torah, the questions is, do you?

[@turbohawk]

Truth has what, exactly, to do with color of skin??

[@screamtoasigh9984]

I'm sorry you are confused about Judaism and the history of Jews. Africans can convert, all real converts are Jews , but they still have no history or connection to ancient Israel or in Jewish history.

[@jewmaicanwilliam4349]

Judaism; is the Creator's way, of showing that he loves the whole world not just Jews. Are Jews really the light of the world, are you sure?

[@jaiah23]

It isvery difficult to follow the torah and rejecting the shroud of turin, at the same time. Son they dont follow anything. it is more easy.

[@gabrieljonathan3320]

"I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David(his son Yeshua) ; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd." When you be set free from the bondage of iniquity from the Rod of your opressor(sin and death) and from the vicious Wolves that are attacking you and from the fat arrogant sheep opressing the weack ones. Then you shall dwell safely and shall know by faith that Yeshua is the Lord.