r/Judaism

While visiting Cleveland and being interested in different cultures I decided to visit a kosher bakery for the first time. From what I could tell it seemed to serve the orthodox community. It was Friday so I tried to go early to not disturb last minute shoppers before the Sabbath.

I tried to dress modestly as I wanted to be respectful. But at the same time I felt like I was invading a space I don’t belong to - not because of treatment by other shoppers, but in my mind I thought I was infringing on a space set aside for a culture/religion that I’m not part of and perhaps that was seen as rude.

I did buy items and was polite to others. But at the same time I was curious if this would be seen as offensive

Between the ages of 14 and 20 I held ragingly antisemitic views. I'm currently 25 and I've lived in Israel for 2 years.

You mean to tell me I've spent the past two years carefully packaging my eggs (that I take to work as part of lunch) into separate ziploc baggies like they're contraband? This feels like whiplash. My Baal Teshuva mind is blown. 😐😳😄

Sorry if I'm overthinking it. I like the way they look but I'm new to practicing Judaism and I mostly see them associated with haredis. Is it weird for me to wear it if I'm more Conservative? Are there some unspoken rules regarding kippah choice in general? Can't find much about it online. Thanks

I just received my first pair of tzitzit!! But I have a question. I know one string must be longer than the others, but the longest string goes halfway down my shin while the rest stop at the knee. Would it be permissible for me to cut (either gnaw or burn off) the string to shorten it or does it have to remain this long? Im worried about it getting dirty/frayed from being so long and I haven't seen anyone with such long tzitzis in my community.

EDIT: Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone,

I’m a recent graduate moving to Manchester (UK) in September. I’ve been interested in Judaism for a long time, and this will be my first time living somewhere with a large Jewish community, and so I really want to take the opportunity to learn more about the faith, with a potential interest in conversion. I’m not sure where I stand regarding Orthodox/Conservative/Reform, and I don’t want to make assumptions before learning more.

Does anyone have advice on how best to start getting involved in Manchester? Are there particular synagogues, classes or community spaces that would be welcoming to someone who is just beginning to explore?

I’m especially interested in with a lot of other young adults. I know Judaism is very community-focused and I think it would be helpful to learn and maybe participate alongside people at a similar stage of life.

I don’t personally know anyone Jewish, so I’m trying to find a respectful way to explore what this might mean for my future. Thank you so much for any suggestions!

I also completely respect and understand that synagogues in Manchester might not be open to new visitors right now too

I’m new to posting on Reddit and made an account just to post this, so sorry if this isn’t the right place for this <3

Hi, I (mid 20s, M) am being sent to a part of the UK for a couple of years for work where there are next to no Jews. The nearest active community I've found is more than an hours drive - which is unfortunately due to the nature of my work not a reasonable distance I can commute (60+ hour weeks a a couple of times a month, night shifts, long days etc). Travelling home for the major festivals will hopefully still be possible, but uncertain.

I've not grown up super observant but being Jewish has always been very important to me. Past few years I'd say activities I've been involved with include celebrating most festivals, communal meals, Jewish educational activities etc.

Now that none of this will be possible I am thinking about how to still feel Jewish without an immediate community. I've not kept strictly kosher (just no pork or shellfish) but I've been considering trying to be more kosher by ordering online via Sabeny things that won't be locally available.

Would greatly appreciate any other suggestions of things I can try and do that might make me feel more connected.

It used to just be occasionally bland and repetitious. Now, I go to a grocery store and I'm stuck looking for beans while listening to a yiddish remix of bella ciao about moshiach or something, or some wierd hebrew soul-music type stuff? I guess it's not an issue when most of your audience never heard the originals.

Also, what's with the music before Rosh Hashanah? I'm sitting eating some pizza a month before and in the background I'm listening to a rendition Unetaneh Tokef, "who by fire" mf I'm tryna eat over here, what do you know about fire anyway you guys undercook the pizza half the time. One way to get people to repent I guess who knows

I all ways have problems with this, and it sometimes stops me from believing a devout believer. Plz help.

Hi fam! My father is undergoing surgery for cancer in a few weeks and is pretty nervous about it. It’s a fairly routine surgery but it does require general anesthesia. I’m not sure he’s experienced that before, so it’s a little scary for him.

He’s not particularly religious, but his cancer, coupled with his age, has made him start to reflect on his spirituality a little more. I’ve reached out to the Chabad nearest to him to get him some community, which I think will help.

In the meantime, I’m wondering if A.) anyone has ideas of what could provide him some comfort (maybe a book or something), and B.) if anyone would be willing to say tehillim for him or whatever you think is appropriate.

His Hebrew name is Shmuel ben Esther. Thank you so much 💙

I have a really scary appointment tomorrow and based on my doctor telling me I have to go to a counselor for it, the test results are likely not great. I already got bad results from a different test last week and Im exhausted as is from the worry about those results.

Id appreciate any prayers, im sorry if this is out of place, im still in my conversion process and trying my best to learn.

If Im not supposed to do this id genuinely appreciate an explanation, as it could help me on my conversion journey!

UPDATE: The results weren't terrible. They weren't particularly amazing, but they are nothing fatal! Thank you to everyone whos been keeping me in your prayers. Im very greatful! As is my husband!

I was raised conservative jewish but I never delved deeply into the era between the Torah and then up to modern day. I know the inquisition, holocaust, pogroms, all the bad things. But I want to learn about the culture, the rabbinic era, all oh it

Any suggestions of podcasts? I have long commutes and seems like a great way to spend time