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Judaism

I began studying Judaism and following Torah in 1998, starting out with the most basic of mitzvot and gradually implementing more as I learned more. I have really come to love following the Torah, and I always enjoy learning how to observe the mitzvot better.

This section of The Four Questions has more information than all of the others combined, and I will probably add more to it regularly. I have divided it up into sub-sections that deal with specific mitzvot or topics, and each sub-section has an introductory page that will give you more infomation on the different articles and information available.

Before you start, I suggest that you read my General Thoughts article. Since many of my thoughts, ideas, and beliefs are interrelated, you will be more likely to follow my reasoning and understand what I am saying if you find out what I think about some key issues first. However, if you are interested in reading about a specific topic, please feel free to go directly to it. I have tried to make each sub-section as autonomous as possible.

Since religion is a highly sensitive subject, I must place a disclaimer here. Please be aware that I hold to some viewpoints that you may applaud and some that you may detest. I only ask that you read these pages with an open mind and that you give me a chance to explain myself. You are not required to agree with me, but beating your computer monitor will get us nowhere. If you want to discuss any of these topics, I would love to dialogue with you. Just drop me a line.

‏תּוֹרָה‎ — The first five books of the Bible. Alternately, refers to the entire body of commandments of G-d. The Torah is read in the synagogue on a yearly schedule, starting and finishing on Simchat Torah.

‏מִצְוָה‎ — (Plural ‏מִצְוֹת‎, “mitzvot”) Literally, “commandment.” Colloquially refers to any good deed.

‏מִשְׁנָה‎ — (a.k.a. Mishnah) The foundation of the Talmud, commentary of the Tanaaim on the Torah. The Mishnah was compiled by Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi (commonly referred to within the text as “Rabbi”) with the help of the members of his Academy in the 3rd century. It is divided into six sedarim (orders); those are further divided into masekhot (tractates), which are further divided into individual mishnayot (verses).