"Ask A Jew" Wednesday

[u/AutoModerator]

It's everyone's favorite day of the week, "Ask A (Anti-Zionist) Jew" Wednesday! Ask whatever you want to know, within the sub rules, notably that this is not a debate sub and do not import drama from other subreddits. That aside, have fun! We love to dialogue with our non-Jewish siblings.

[u/Solace_In_the_Mist]

Hello everyone!

I'm an ally from the Philippines.

1. I just wanted to ask everyone, if it's acceptable that I study Torah and for me to read about Judaism, in general?

For some time now, I have been reading into religion(s), despite myself being agnostic. This may seem contradictory, but I've been delving onto religious studies and a bit of the history and philosophy of the concept of divinity.

Judaism, as I understand from a still shallow depth, isn't just centered on Torah and the Nevi'im and Ketuvim. Or other texts. But, it's a living and breathing practice - based on community, tradition, rituals, history, etc.

It is far from the religion I grew up which placed salvation and evangelizing as its tenet. And don't get me started on the "Trinity" thing. In fact, I've made effort into consciously deconstructing and separating the "old testament" from the "new testament," effectively any Judeo-Christian amalgamation in my head. Finally, I see them now as different. And it should stay that way, out of respect for my Jewish colleagues.

The Torah is Torah. The NaKh is NaKh. There is no "old" or "new." There is just a way of living and belief that has surpassed in its resilience through thousands and hundreds of years.

2. Lastly, is there a way for me to somewhat see Judaism beyond a Zionist viewpoint - can Judaism be separated from its political core embedded in Zionism? Because I feel if other Zionist Jewish people were to find me interested in Judaism, it would circle back to a support for the State of Israel, when in fact, I see Judaism as a possible relationship between me and the Divine; something that transcends the current political expectations with the people who are labeled as pro-Israel.

TLDR: Going back, I simply want confirmation from the Jewish community if me trying to understand Torah and Judaism is all right with you? Is this offensive? I've heard that even though I'm a gentile I could still learn a thing or two from being a possible Noachide?

Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

[u/specialistsets → u/Solace_In_the_Mist]

2. Lastly, is there a way for me to somewhat see Judaism beyond a Zionist viewpoint - can Judaism be separated from its political core embedded in Zionism?

Is there a particular viewpoint you are referring to? Judaism is the religious tradition of the Jewish people. Zionism is a political ideology, not a religious ideology. So even Zionist Jews who are religious don't necessarily see Zionism as a part of Judaism, but rather a political ideology that they believe is important or necessary for Jews as a people.

[u/Solace_In_the_Mist → u/specialistsets]

Hello there! Perhaps, I'm just overthinking some posts I've been seeing across social media on how both are/could be intertwined. I haven't fully read into their nuances but it just felt to me that Zionism, as the viewpoint, became mixed with Judaism. Hence, the conflict on my side that I am trying to resolve - to see Judaism beyond the politics of Zionism.

[u/specialistsets → u/Solace_In_the_Mist]

to see Judaism beyond the politics of Zionism

It is confusing but it may be helpful to highlight that there is a difference between Jewish Peoplehood (the cultural and ethnic identity of Jews) and Judaism (the religious tradition of the Jewish People). While the two are intertwined and there is certainly overlap, they are indeed different concepts. Zionism is based on Jewish Peoplehood or ethnicity, but not Judaism as a religion. For example, there are many synagogues that fly Israeli flags, but this is not intended to be a religious statement, it is intended to be a statement of support of Israel as an ethnically Jewish state.

[u/Solace_In_the_Mist → u/specialistsets]

Thanks again! I think I need to read more about this. But, going back to Judaism - it doesn't have to be, nor it was, Zionistic basically. I can continue reading more about the Judaism and the Torah, and Jewish culture and history, moving forward nonetheless.

I don't agree with what Zionism is doing. But I can put my heart on learning Judaism, as a gentile, still?

[u/specialistsets → u/Solace_In_the_Mist]

But, going back to Judaism - it doesn't have to be, nor it was, Zionistic basically. 

Zionism is a political movement founded by secular Jews in the late 19th century, it wasn't founded as a religious movement. There is still an ancient and essential Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the broader region (in Jewish tradition called "Eretz Yisrael", literally "Land of Israel") but this is not Zionism, it is Jewish tradition.

But I can put my heart on learning Judaism, as a gentile, still?

Of course, you certainly don't need permission.

[u/ezkori → u/Solace_In_the_Mist]

1. Read the Torah! It’s a fascinating book! The texts exist out there, and so long as you are engaging with them in good faith (and honestly who am I to stop you even if you weren’t). It might not be our only text, nor is it super representative of what modern day Judaism looks like (in many ways), but it is still super fascinating regardless to engage with ancient texts. I would recommend the book of Lamentations, which was just read for the holiday of Tsha BAv. I found so much of it so eerily similar to what I can only imagine is the experience of Palestinians, and that only made the text all the more haunting, in a beauty in the shared experience of pain or smth. I can’t really explain it well. Ill read 2 after and respond accordingly

[u/Solace_In_the_Mist → u/ezkori]

Thank you! This is a sign! I'll give it a go.