Judism/Jews - a Russian perspective

[Lorisa]

Question: What do Russians (both "rooski" and "rossiski") think about Jews, in a broad general sense. Jewish culture, religion, the people group, Jews in Russia, etc.

I'd love to hear intellegent, informative opinions on this! Of course, if you just want to ramble off an uneducated opinion, I'll take that too.
-Lorisa

[Nonson]

For more than two centuries there has been a dynamic tension between the Russian and Jewish peoples. The out-workings of it has created much mis-understanding and false information. Some of the socio-cultural problems were by design-created by those with agendas which were more economic and monetary than trouble in inter-personal relations. Personally, I think the Russian and Jewish people have more in common than they'll admit. Of course, this opinion is only guess-work in that I am neither Russian nor Jewish. The view could be wide of the mark, but it seems that so many systems and forms of government, religion, and culture have been born in Russia that the two peoplesare tied very closely together. This making the Russian and the Jew 'kissing cousins' of a sort wont go over well due to long-term hatred on both sides, and deep-seated suspicions about other things. However, two centuries of nearly common history leaves them united, like it or not. salam

[Dr_Woland]

privet Lorisa

I think a lot of the problem in talking about this, is whether we say that being "Jewish", or "Russian" is some kind of ethnic distinction? I don't (personally) believe that either "Russians" or "Jews" are an ethnic group, and this suggestion that they are/were, and should have their own autonomous Oblast, is a legacy of Stalin's insaner ramblings.

I don't see any antipathy between being Jewish and being Russian, and I know many people who combine both very succesfully :-) In the same way, you can be Russian and Catholic, or Russian and Atheist, or indeed, as Boris Grebenschikov, Russian and Buddhist.....

Dr W

[Nonson]

I'm not convinced. Identity as a separate group has been the sine qua non of the Jewish people for some five thousand years. Judaica renders them distinct if they follow that which lies therein. True, there are those who have gone a-whorin' and adopted a different identity, but that in no way detract from that body of sacred history that say: you are Jewish today, tomorrow, and forever. Antipathy has ever abounded, and will continue to do so. Though he is commanded to be a blessing to society, and to cause no harm, he nevertheless cannot be a nationalist. I'm not even certain that he can be an internationalist. The Jew(one who lives by that which has been handed down)is unique among mankind. Proof of this speaks for itself.

Greetings,
The question neeeds a little deeper eximanition. Ask yourself about Zionism. Is it racism or just a way to build a nation.
Ask yourself about the amount of money being sent to Israel from the USA. From the government and from individuals. Are these the acts of humanitarianism or are they the acts of a close society or a religious or nationalistic people. Helping people is NOBLE
as long as it does not lead to racism or as long as there is no religous or nationalistic
test applied to the recepients. How do you see it?

[Nonson]

One might examine the subject matter from any one of ten thousand points of view, but it will in no way alter the fundamental reality that Jewishness is Judaica. Zionism is not Judaica; it is very far removed from Judaism. Indeed, the Zionist doctrines are racist and bigoted(see:jewsnotzionists.com).But in their greed for power, the Zionists betray and murder their own people. They are not Jews in the traditional sense, and certainly they have nothing to do with the long-suffering Orthodox Community(Orthodox Judaism). >>>>>>>>Jews need a homeland,period. Israel should be that land. Jews do not need a Zionist Israel. The ruling body upon that land should be, by Divine Command, conformed to Orthodoxy. >>>Zionism is not a religion: it might be labelled cultic. It is a closed system, more or less. Aid being gifted by the USA to the Zionists of Israel can hardly be called 'humanitarian', nor can one claim that it serves that purpose rather than a political tribute. The real purposes for the billions being sent to Israel lie beyond the scope of these posts, and beyond my ability to fully comprehend. >>>Finally, anything sent to the 'temporary Zionist Encampment' in Israel can only go to aiding and abetting racism and and a nationalism that is disgusting and criminal to the mind of the 'real Jew'. Peace

[Dr_Woland]

I don't think the issue of Zionism is relevant to a discussion of jews who are living in Russia today. You're talking about money sent from USA, and maybe there is, but this is not the topic of this discussion??

Please let's keep to the topic?

Dr W.