Misconceptions of Israeli Culture

[Rigon]

So instead everyone has to be brought up ultra Hascidic and become a Hascidic Rabbi full time and still put the usual 8 hours a day in proper productive work down the auto factory or carpentry shop and the like, whilst nodding and bowing to god at all times.

New levels of ultra hascidic rabbinical upbringing for ultimate levels of godly devotion might involve wearing of the Tefillin at all times, not just part time like for Mitzvahs, but those leather boxes should be strapped to the forehead, but also to both forearms, and the heart, the throat and both ankles at all times, and nodding and bowing to god at all times.

[umair127]

And when it comes to issues of human rights, if Hamas puts down its weapons, then there will be peace. If Israel puts down its weapons, then there will be no Israel.

1.) That's a really old and very poor propaganda line, and has never been true.

2.) That has nothing to do with the comparison that you tried to make. Hamas has nothing to do with the Right of Return or the expulsion of Palestinians in the 40's or the 60's.

So 200,000 came from Turkey and Iran, and a further 800,000 came from the Maghreb and the Arab World.If Hamas puts down its weapons, there will indeed be peace.

[Rigon]

Daily prayers should start with a cold baptism at 3am, then another cold dip and prayer at 5am and 7am before starting work at 9am. Prayer breaks and baptisms also to be conducted every 2 hours during work without productivity being affected, then after work another 8 hours of full Rabbi work, wearing the tefillin at all times, and nodding and bowing to god at all times.

Sleep should be the highest insult to god and limited to 2 hours, even then avoided if possible. Anyone nodding off for four hours or more should thrust themselves into an icy cold baptism pool and lash themselves with a whip until they poop a little, also wearing the tefillin at all times, and nodding and bowing to god at all times.

That would be the proper way to fully submit to god, or live in a hole in a cave in a mountain naked for a few decades.


(Not withstanding it should be understood Kabbalah metaphysical theology and exegesis, offers an esoteric, imaginative, spiritual alternative to mainstream Rabbinic Judaism and Jewish philosophy. Its greatest expression is in Scriptural commentary, the Zohar. Medieval Kabbalah taught new doctrines of the ten sefirot (emanations that reveal and mediate the unknowable Divine essence), the identification of the last sefirah with the earlier Rabbinic notion of the shechina (Divine presence) as a feminine aspect of God, and the harmonious shefa (substaining flow of Divine creation through the Heavenly realms until this world) that is dependent on each person's righteousness.

So, study of the "revealed" or "inner" dimensions of Judaism can inspire greater faith and emotional fervour, as well as knowledge of Rabbinic thought. In Chabad, Schneur Zalman emphasised the mind as the route to internalizing the emotions of the heart more fully. The systematic analysis of Hasidic philosophy in Chabad can integrate and synthesize "revealed" Jewish thought with the mystical.)

That sort of stuff as well.

[TaunSew]

Does everyone pay retail? Why do rabbis suck baby dicks?

Serious. In the desert, an un-cut slong gets packed with sand. dirt, organic materials and bodily fluids which increase the potential for penal cancer if not cleaned regularly.

Funny answer but far from being the norm among desert cultures. Pre-Islamic Iranic peoples didn't engage in the practice nor did the Mongols, the Meso-Americans or Atacama people who lived in the deserts.  Ancient Indian texts never mentioned it so we can probably rule out the deserts in Pakistan.   

[noviapriani]

I want to make a thread about the misconceptions of Israeli culture because I have seen, both online and offline, people who do not truly understand Israeli culture.

1.) In Israel, there are around 7.8 million people. About one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand are Arab Christians. 1.6 million are Arab Muslim. 6 million are Jewish. Out of those 6 million Jewish people, 3 million are European, 2.9 million are North African and Southwest Asia, and about one hundred thousand are Ethiopian. So about half of the Jewish people in Israel are from outside of Europe and the other half of the Jewish people in Israel are from Europe. Do not let anyone tell you that 90%+ of Israeli Jews are European. That is simply not true.

2.) Hebrew, a Semitic language similar to Arabic, is spoken in Israel. They do not speak Yiddish in Israel.

3.) Israel has Hebrew rap and Hebrew heavy metal music. Not everyone in Israel is super religious and shuns the media and pop culture. For the most part, except observing Shabbat (the Sabbath), Israel is a fairly secular country.

4.) The former President of Israel, Moshe Katzav, is of Iranian descent. The leader of the Kadima Party in Israel, Shaul Mofaz, is also of Iranian descent. There are many Jewish people of Sephardic/Mizrahi (Arab, Berber, and Iranian Jewish) descent in positions of political power in Israel.

5.) People say Israel expelled 700,000 Palestinians in 1948. Well, between 1948 and 1967, 1 million Jews from North Africa and Southwest Asia were expelled by Arab countries and fled to Israel.

6.) Not a misconception. But a fact. Miss Israel 2013 is of Ethiopian descent.

7.) Another fact. An Israeli company invented the first USB drives.

You have a nice list, but the above is inaccurate and carries with it problems besides. It is absolutely true that many Jews were expelled by Arab countries or fled pogroms / potential violence, but to simply attribute every immigrant that came to Israel from Arab lands as one that was forcibly expelled is completely inaccurate.

If there weren't 1 million Jews living in Arab countries in that time period, then how did Israel's Sephardic/Mizrahi Jewish population go up from 1 million to 3 million by 2014? They had to first immigrate to Israel and then have a population boom.

And when it comes to issues of human rights, if Hamas puts down its weapons, then there will be peace. If Israel puts down its weapons, then there will be no Israel.

Is there a particular reason why you can't type "God"? If you draw a picture of god, or look god straight in the face or write god in full you might turn to stone ?

[Rigon]

hascidic women are excluded from all that sort of stuff, and as long as they sit in the backs of cars, buses and planes and do the daily cooking, they don't have to get too involved, also cover their head and boobs during acts of procreation.

[umair127]

I want to make a thread about the misconceptions of Israeli culture because I have seen, both online and offline, people who do not truly understand Israeli culture.

1.) In Israel, there are around 7.8 million people. About one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand are Arab Christians. 1.6 million are Arab Muslim. 6 million are Jewish. Out of those 6 million Jewish people, 3 million are European, 2.9 million are North African and Southwest Asia, and about one hundred thousand are Ethiopian. So about half of the Jewish people in Israel are from outside of Europe and the other half of the Jewish people in Israel are from Europe. Do not let anyone tell you that 90%+ of Israeli Jews are European. That is simply not true.

2.) Hebrew, a Semitic language similar to Arabic, is spoken in Israel. They do not speak Yiddish in Israel.

3.) Israel has Hebrew rap and Hebrew heavy metal music. Not everyone in Israel is super religious and shuns the media and pop culture. For the most part, except observing Shabbat (the Sabbath), Israel is a fairly secular country.

4.) The former President of Israel, Moshe Katzav, is of Iranian descent. The leader of the Kadima Party in Israel, Shaul Mofaz, is also of Iranian descent. There are many Jewish people of Sephardic/Mizrahi (Arab, Berber, and Iranian Jewish) descent in positions of political power in Israel.

5.) People say Israel expelled 700,000 Palestinians in 1948. Well, between 1948 and 1967, 1 million Jews from North Africa and Southwest Asia were expelled by Arab countries and fled to Israel.

6.) Not a misconception. But a fact. Miss Israel 2013 is of Ethiopian descent.

7.) Another fact. An Israeli company invented the first USB drives.

You have a nice list, but the above is inaccurate and carries with it problems besides. It is absolutely true that many Jews were expelled by Arab countries or fled pogroms / potential violence, but to simply attribute every immigrant that came to Israel from Arab lands as one that was forcibly expelled is completely inaccurate.

If there weren't 1 million Jews living in Arab countries in that time period, then how did Israel's Sephardic/Mizrahi Jewish population go up from 1 million to 3 million by 2014? They had to first immigrate to Israel and then have a population boom.

And when it comes to issues of human rights, if Hamas puts down its weapons, then there will be peace. If Israel puts down its weapons, then there will be no Israel.

Is there a particular reason why you can't type "God"? If you draw a picture of god, or look god straight in the face or write god in full you might turn to stone ?

In regards to FX2000's question, if you write G-d on a piece of paper and throw that paper away, then you have desecrated G-d's name. That is why G-d is not written unless it is written on a Torah scroll. This is because Torah scrolls are not thrown away, whereas other pieces of paper may be thrown away.

In regards to Prometheus's question, G-d doesn't have a face. G-d is a spirit entity. G-d is formless and genderless.

[sana8410]

And when it comes to issues of human rights, if Hamas puts down its weapons, then there will be peace. If Israel puts down its weapons, then there will be no Israel.

1.) That's a really old and very poor propaganda line, and has never been true.

2.) That has nothing to do with the comparison that you tried to make. Hamas has nothing to do with the Right of Return or the expulsion of Palestinians in the 40's or the 60's.

So 200,000 came from Turkey and Iran, and a further 800,000 came from the Maghreb and the Arab World.If Hamas puts down its weapons, there will indeed be peace.

You mean there will be permanent occupation. The Netanyahu administration has shown no interest in working with the West Bank leadership despite the fact that they aren't violent. The same was true of Olmert. The notion that if Hamas put down its guns (something I would support) that everything would be fine and dandy rather ignores 90% of the abuses that the Israeli government commits on a daily basis.

[umair127]

And I have to add a misconception of Jewish culture to this thread, in addition to misconceptions of Israeli culture. Jewish people study the entire Tanakh, which is the complete Hebrew Old Testament. It is a common misconception that Jews only read the Torah (the first five books of Moses).

And in regards to what Prometheus brought up as being too religious, the Haredim in Israel are considered too religious by many. They literally eat, sleep, and read the Tanakh and the Talmud. They do not work and do not even use electricity.

[Rigon]

What if you beat the Haredim and went one step further, what could they do to beat this ...


1. You grow cotton regularly blessed by 10 of the highest bishops, irrigated by holy water.

2. You spin the cotton in the most sacred holy temple at midnight starting on Xmas eve.

3. Then you write the bible in microprint on to a continuous cotton thread from Xmas to Easter.

4. With the most holy thread you knit a pair of super holy under pants and vest in a holy temple.

5. The undergarments are then baptised by 20 of the highest bishops plus the pope.

6. You then get the world's best designer to design the ultimate bishop or pope outfit.

7. Starting again for each garment you go through 1 to 6 to make the clothes super holy.

8. After many years you finally you get dressed up in the full holy ensemble.

9. You then read the bible from cover to cover over and over and learn it off by heart.

10. Once memorised, you set a new world record for reciting the whole bible word for word.

11. Then with the world record you recite it over and over 22 hours a day.

12. You then go up to a cave in a mountain and dig a hole in the cave.

13. You spend the next few decades sat in the hole in the cave reciting the whole bible as many times as possible.

[umair127]

What if you beat the Haredim and went one step further, what could they do to beat this ...


1. You grow cotton regularly blessed by 10 of the highest bishops, irrigated by holy water.

2. You spin the cotton in the most sacred holy temple at midnight starting on Xmas eve.

3. Then you write the bible in microprint on to a continuous cotton thread from Xmas to Easter.

4. With the most holy thread you knit a pair of super holy under pants and vest in a holy temple.

5. The undergarments are then baptised by 20 of the highest bishops plus the pope.

6. You then get the world's best designer to design the ultimate bishop or pope outfit.

7. Starting again for each garment you go through 1 to 6 to make the clothes super holy.

8. After many years you finally you get dressed up in the full holy ensemble.

9. You then read the bible from cover to cover over and over and learn it off by heart.

10. Once memorised, you set a new world record for reciting the whole bible word for word.

11. Then with the world record you recite it over and over 22 hours a day.

12. You then go up to a cave in a mountain and dig a hole in the cave.

13. You spend the next few decades sat in the hole in the cave reciting the whole bible as many times as possible.

The Jewish religion believes in both faith and good works. G-d commands one do to faith and good works. You have to physically repair the world in addition to studying the Tanakh, otherwise you are not doing what G-d commands. So it would be futile to just sit and pray all day, when you are not working hard to make the world a better place as well.

[Rigon]

I propose then a suitable compromise of praying / studying / working ...

Daily prayers should start with a cold dip at 5am, then another cold dip and prayer at 6am before starting work at 7am.

Prayer breaks and baptisms to be conducted every 2 hours during work, then after work at 5pm - another 8 hours working as a Rabbi till 1am.

Wearing the tefillin at all times, on your head, throat, heart, arms and legs and nodding and bowing to god at all times, all day long.

Also listening to the bible on your iPod as much as possible.

[umair127]

And when it comes to issues of human rights, if Hamas puts down its weapons, then there will be peace. If Israel puts down its weapons, then there will be no Israel.

1.) That's a really old and very poor propaganda line, and has never been true.

2.) That has nothing to do with the comparison that you tried to make. Hamas has nothing to do with the Right of Return or the expulsion of Palestinians in the 40's or the 60's.

So 200,000 came from Turkey and Iran, and a further 800,000 came from the Maghreb and the Arab World.If Hamas puts down its weapons, there will indeed be peace.

You mean there will be permanent occupation. The Netanyahu administration has shown no interest in working with the West Bank leadership despite the fact that they aren't violent. The same was true of Olmert. The notion that if Hamas put down its guns (something I would support) that everything would be fine and dandy rather ignores 90% of the abuses that the Israeli government commits on a daily basis.

The Netanyahu government won't give up the West Bank until they are sure that a future Palestinian State will be demilitarized. They do not want another launching pad for rockets on their eastern border.

[umair127]

I propose then a suitable compromise of praying / studying / working ...

Daily prayers should start with a cold dip at 5am, then another cold dip and prayer at 6am before starting work at 7am.

Prayer breaks and baptisms to be conducted every 2 hours during work, then after work at 5pm - another 8 hours working as a Rabbi till 1am.

Wearing the tefillin at all times, on your head, throat, heart, arms and legs and nodding and bowing to god at all times, all day long.

Also listening to the bible on your iPod as much as possible.

I myself am Jewish, but am secular. I identify with my secular Jewish identity but I do not practice the religion. So praying does not factor in to my work day.

[sana8410]

The Netanyahu government doesn't believe in a two state solution under any circumstances (He's publicly said as much and it is written into the charter of the party that he heads). Trying to suggest otherwise is disingenuous.

[umair127]

The Netanyahu government doesn't believe in a two state solution under any circumstances (He's publicly said as much and it is written into the charter of the party that he heads). Trying to suggest otherwise is disingenuous.

A lot of Israeli governments say that.

It was the Likud (Netanyahu's same "right-wing party") that gave up the entire Sinai Peninsula. I have now shown you proof that even "right-wingers" make concessions. And Gaza's gone too. Now show me proof that Israel will do something differently.

[sana8410]

The Netanyahu government doesn't believe in a two state solution under any circumstances (He's publicly said as much and it is written into the charter of the party that he heads). Trying to suggest otherwise is disingenuous.

A lot of Israeli governments say that.

It was the Likud (Netanyahu's same "right-wing party") that gave up the entire Sinai Peninsula. I have now shown you proof that even "right-wingers" make concessions. And Gaza's gone too. Now show me proof that Israel will do something differently.

The proof is a close to half century old occupation. Israel couldn't even live up to a single one of its peace plan promises under the Road Map, even when Palestinians under the PA lived up to their side of the bargain. Let me know when that changes.

[umair127]

The Netanyahu government doesn't believe in a two state solution under any circumstances (He's publicly said as much and it is written into the charter of the party that he heads). Trying to suggest otherwise is disingenuous.

A lot of Israeli governments say that.

It was the Likud (Netanyahu's same "right-wing party") that gave up the entire Sinai Peninsula. I have now shown you proof that even "right-wingers" make concessions. And Gaza's gone too. Now show me proof that Israel will do something differently.

The proof is a close to half century old occupation. Israel couldn't even live up to a single one of its peace plan promises under the Road Map, even when Palestinians under the PA lived up to their side of the bargain. Let me know when that changes.

1967-2014: Israel gave up over 75% of its land mass. It's only a matter of time before Israel withdraws from the West Bank. It will happen. History has shown us as much.

[umair127]

I am just trying to keep things in perspective and balanced. I think that there are way too many misconceptions of Israel. And I do think that peace is the best approach, and I do believe in a Two-State Solution.

I remember back in the day when I was in the U.S. Army Reserve and a full-time university student, I did a report for a 4000-level Political Science class on Israeli and Palestinian Hip Hop and Heavy Metal. True story.

To start with the Palestinian song, here is Dam-Mali Huriye (i dont have freedom). It is a song about not having freedom in one's native birth land. Dam is a Palestinian rap group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRiOe9HWruk

[sana8410]

The Netanyahu government doesn't believe in a two state solution under any circumstances (He's publicly said as much and it is written into the charter of the party that he heads). Trying to suggest otherwise is disingenuous.

A lot of Israeli governments say that.

It was the Likud (Netanyahu's same "right-wing party") that gave up the entire Sinai Peninsula. I have now shown you proof that even "right-wingers" make concessions. And Gaza's gone too. Now show me proof that Israel will do something differently.

The proof is a close to half century old occupation. Israel couldn't even live up to a single one of its peace plan promises under the Road Map, even when Palestinians under the PA lived up to their side of the bargain. Let me know when that changes.

1967-2014: Israel gave up over 75% of its land mass. It's only a matter of time before Israel withdraws from the West Bank. It will happen. History has shown us as much.

Where has history shown as much? And saying that Israel gave up 75% of its land mass is disingenuous. The Sinai never belonged to Israel / it never had any right to it. Likewise, the entire reason why the Gaza disengagement happened was (as was publicly admited) to kill the overall peace process, specifically as it related to the West Bank. So Israel get's no cudos for that.