I still don't get it. How are the pogroms (I am guessing that's what you were alluding to) relevant to you, and especially now, and after so many years in this country?
OR to the Ukrainian friend you invited? (md)

You can't judge about the whole religion/religions by the action of the few....and just they are people...they do do a lot of acts of kindness through charity, helping their community, helping Israel...
but maybe (?) orthodox/hassidic jews dd take it a bit much or literally in their rituals, still doesn't mean it's all meaningless...

Который ни-че-му за всю жизнь шаббатов и кашрута не научился.
In this case, I'm all for the religion. This woman's life have had purpose - rituals, children, husband, rituals. It must be wonderful to have your life so orderly and arranged. So what if that's all she knows? Maybe, she has nine kids and that's her greatest wealth and knowledge.
Maybe, she's lucky not to have the time and space to ask some dumb-ass questions like, "Зачем меня мама на свет родила?" She already knows.

If you choose to develop and evolve your relationship with god, thenwhy would you choose to do so through the fallacy of man-made church?The scriptures weren't faxed here from heaven. How do you REALLY knowthat God's listening?
Well, you do it not because some rabbi told you but because YOU believe in him (God)...and also believe that Torah is the word of God...
Otherwise, what is the purpose at all in believing?
If you truly believe in God, you will believe in his commandments and follow them...

BTW, Hasidum do not support Israel the way my family does. They chant "Down Israel!" every time we attend Pride of Israel parade. They think that we don't deserve a secular democratic state because we're waiting for something or someone. Or some other nonsense.

Well, not all, I think you mean the Haredi. I saw them stand on the other side of the parade with the "Palestinians".
But it is true, even if the given Hasidic faction is open to the idea of a Jewish state (before the arrival of Moshiach), they don't get themselves involved in Israel advocacy. Orthodox Jews often do, though.

Still, you gotta admire the fact that such diversity of opinion is even possible within the Jewish nation. In Islam there would have been a mass fattwah issued on their heads the moment they made a squeak against anything.
Not that it has anything to do with the topic. (H)

Anyone who feels closer to God by following a ritual actually proves the weakness of his faith because he works hard on showing his faith to others.
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I don't even know where to begin arguing the fallacy of that statement. But what's the point... What right do any of us have to critisize any ritualone choosesto feel closer to God - as long as it doesn't involve sacrificing babies or something similar.If going to a church, praying several times a day, or meditating in a garden helps one develope a relationship with their creator, than who are we to judge, and what exactly isthe harm?How is it diffrent from parents using certain rituals tohave a closer relationship with their children,what about celebrating the day of your birth, Sunday night dinner with your family, date nights, anniversaries... Any ritual or tradition will have as much or as little meaning as you choose to impart to it.

Well, not all, I think you mean the Haredi. I saw them stand on the other side of the parade with the "Palestinians".
Actually, that's not the complete picture.
I believe it is one thing not to support the creation of the state of Israel, on general principle. It is quite another to stand there at the Israel Day parade holding Palestinian flags, which was what they did.

And yet quite another to send a delegation to Iran to discuss the destruction of Israel.
But anyhow, the topic is not about them. (ch)
It is interesting, though, where blind religious faith might lead one.