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To: missyme
I am just basing my statements on what you have written to me.

It is quite impossible (at least for me) to convey the knowledge I have regarding Jewish Law (as woefully small as that is, compared to that of real scholars) in a post or two. If you really want to understand it, you will need to study it for a great deal of time - at least a few years.

...from what I understand G-d Created everything perfect...

Yes, perfect according to His plan. However, I don't think that a simple reading of a few verses in Genesis can transmit more than a small fraction of the total information about G-d's plan for the Universe to us mere humans. What if that plan involved temptation? Since it obviously exists, then the plan was perfect.

That is my understanding when "Free Will" came into exsistence as the serpent tempting Eve, so doesn't that say the angel of "Satan" is real ready at any moment to deceive?

Who created the serpent? How could the serpent acquire powers for itself that G-d did not intend for it to have? Satan, an angel, was created by G-d, and also has no powers that G-d did not intend for It. How could even the highest level archangel possibly challenge G-d for power? G-d is, was and always will be omnipotent - period, end of report. If temptation and evil exist, it is due to G-d's will, not Satan's.

Oh, and by the way, the notion of Original Sin (arising out of the actions of old Mr. Serpent) is a Christian one. Jews don't believe that. We believe that each newborn child is perfectly innocent, which is why there is no equivalent of baptism in the Jewish Faith. This dichotomy cannot be resolved - either it is true, or it is not. You can certainly believe what you will - I have no problem with that. However, you are using a base of Christian theology to try to understand Judaism. While the two faiths have some common points, it is simply impossible for a true believer of either to agree with the other faith. I respect your faith, and (to your credit, since you obviously have been tempted to be otherwise) you sound like a very good person, but I cannot agree with your theology - let's just agree to disagree.

120 posted on 01/16/2004 8:20:19 AM PST by Ancesthntr
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To: Ancesthntr
there is no equivalent of baptism in the Jewish Faith.

The Christian rite of baptism was taken directly from the Jewish ritual of mikveh but other than that, there is no Jewish concept of being born in sin.

121 posted on 01/16/2004 8:30:34 AM PST by Alouette (Proud parent of an IDF recruit!)
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To: Ancesthntr
Very Fair Statement: Thank You..
I ask questions just because I care what everyone has to say when it comes to G-d and his purpose for all of us.

In closing I have to say I also would not be able to study as a theologian in-depth bible reading.

There was a time that I could of cared less about any religion as many friends that I had that were seduced by the temptations in life, for now I think more people are just trying to find there place with G-d. (All faiths)

Hopefully we will always be able to do that with respect kindness and tolerance as you showed me this morning..:)
Susanne
122 posted on 01/16/2004 8:34:02 AM PST by missyme
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