Thoughts
Reader comment on item: The Future of Judaism

Submitted by Bill (United States), Jan 25, 2005 at 14:29

Dear Professor Pipes:
It is indeed a prividge to read your comments regarding Judaism and the religion of Islam.

Like many secular Jews I am faced with this dichotomy. It is difficult for me to believe in a book that contains tallking snakes, a prophet swallowed by a whale, the sun standing still, etc. etc. Yet I identify with the moral teachings in this holy book.

My question is this, "how do I respond to my friend who states that since I don't believe in the strict adherence of the 613 laws contained in the Jewish law I really can't consider me to be a Jew." He happens to be orthodox and claims that I just can't pick and choose what is convenient for me and claim that I am his equal. He claims that he follows the law, goes to temple and never permit sanyone in his family to marry outside the faith.

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