Krauthammer: Turning up Jewish (everyone is Jewish until proven otherwise)

Townhall ^ | 09/25/06 | Charles Krauthammer

[presidio9]

Strange doings in Virginia. George Allen, former governor, one-term senator, son of a famous football coach and in the midst of a heated battle for re-election, has just been outed as a Jew. An odd turn of events, given the fact that his having Jewish origins has nothing to do with anything in the campaign and that Allen himself was oblivious to the fact until his 83-year-old mother revealed to him last month the secret she had kept concealed for 60 years.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Very interesting!

Thank you.

[juliej]

Pleae read the book After Long Silence - by a woman who discovered her family's Jewish origin "after long silence" -they hid it for decades EVEN AFTER WW II. The writer returned to Judaism after she confronted her family.

[juliej]

What I find curious is George's lack of curiosity about his mother's background - Tunisian and had lived in France. Should have raised flags in his mind. As for his mother, as I have said, I feel sorrow for her that she felt she had to negate her identity to "fit in".

[juliej]

People should read the book the Committed Life by the Rebezzin Jungris about fulfilling the commandments - even for Gentiles.

[ElPatriota]

My favorite tv show of all times was, IS SEINFELD. The only show I ever recorded on DVDs! (40 DVDs).

Does that make me a "Jewish Symphatizer?" - LOL (...Not that there is anything wrong with that!...

[goldstategop]

He was born a Jew? It goes on to show you may deny who you are but God truly knows who you are!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[goldstategop]

It doesn't matter because if one converted, they don't need to convert back. If they had a Jewish mother, in the eyes of Jewish law, they are a Jew. End of story!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[LukeL]

I talk with my hands.

[goldstategop]

Not really. Judaism defines who is a Jew through the mother. As I noted, I don't think re-conversion is necessary since one can never lose what one always was to begin with.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[goldstategop]

Very few Noahides are that strict. I think Chabad-Lubavitch refers to the ones strictly observant of Jewish law, insofar as they volunteer to take the additional burden upon themselves, as Noahide Chassids.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[juliej]

but I am supposed to be "honored" because the stupid Wesley Clark had a Jewish father. Give me a break!

[Gumdrop]

I don't see why Jewish ancestry should be a problem with the voters. The problem is if he/she is a secular-liberal politician, rather whether he/she is Jewish ornot.

On the other hand, being a German-Catholic, conservative American may have strong negative consequences, since there are three strikes against it and 3 strikes and you're out!!!!!!!

[GoldwaterChick]

I know what you are saying. WOR-NY--710 a.m. has Rabbi Joe Potasnik on Sunday mornings-7-10 am--Religion on the Line. That's not a typo, it used to be 6-9 am. Fortunately we receive it here in lower Bucks County, PA. He is also the Rabbi for the NYC Fire Department. He is absolutely wonderful. At one time a Presbyterian minister was part of the group and I always said if I lived in NYC I could no longer be a Presbyterian, I would have to be Jewish because he was so left-wing and talked down to everyone. What a great day when he announced he was leaving!

Rabbi Joe has the greatest sense of humor and is politically conservative, a rarity among my Jewish friends, at least.

Only in New York could you have a funeral home sponsor who advertises that they don't even want to think that you might need their services, so they won't give their phone number. Please look it up when the time arises! What a riot!

[onyx]

Oy vey!

[familyop]

"Alouette's Law: Nobody is Jewish until they have made some attempt to keep Sabbath and/or Kosher and/or the High Holidays."

You know that it's going to take a lot more than that from us, Morah. But you do make me smile. [g]

[familyop]

"That's rather restrictive, it implies there's a religous aspect to all this. If that were true, we wouldn't be talking about Allen in the first place."

Their is the way for some, but we shouldn't be encouraged (by celebrities like Allen) to impersonate or to even intentionally imply impersonation. Learning is wonderful enough. Of course, that's only a non-Jewish student's opinion on my part.

[familyop]

Oops. There is the way for some...even.

[Cacique]

btt

[Ditter]

I am directly descended from Elijah Issacks, an early Texas pioneer. I didn't know that I (or he) was Jewish until a Jewish friend told me Issacks was listed in a book of early Jewish settlers of Texas. My response was "Who knew?" I said that because she always says that to me. Anyway, I am quite pleased to be descended from a Jewish pioneer, if in fact, I am. 75 years after arriving in Texas in 1830, the family was Baptist.

[familyop]

Ahhhh, never mind. I missed each of your points. ...back to study here (C++ coding, causes brain damage).