ask a guy who studied in Orthodox Yeshivas for 5 weeks in Jerusalem anything

[Footballguru]

goo

[balls2wall]

Ma koreh bro

I do doubt many people here know what a yeshiva is, may want to explain that.

That said, What u studying and why?

[Frozen_By_You]

How many grenades did you threw at palestinians children? (not srs) (no hate)

Ok for real:

- What kind of food did you eat (kascher of course, but what else?)

- What was the school like? What courses and subjects did you study? Was it hard?

- Was the school mixed male/females or it was guys only? If you were with girls, what kind of interactions were you having with them? How do religious orthodox teenagers flirt, for example?

Thanks for answering, Shalom.

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by balls2wall

Ma koreh bro

I do doubt many people here know what a yeshiva is, may want to explain that.

That said, What u studying and why?

hakol beseder, achi

Yeshiva is where you learn about Judaism. Everything about it. 24/7. And live an orthodox/ fundamentalist Jewish life(or at least ur supposed to).

This was last summer and I studied all about Judaism. Torah, written and oral laws, etc... Why? Truth be told I was stuck in Israel between commitments that were 5 weeks apart and Yeshiva was a cheap way to live, with good food. It was a "good experience.

But this was the bed I slept in, notice how thin the mattress is:

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by Frozen_By_You

How many grenades did you threw at palestinians children? (not srs) (no hate)

Ok for real:

- What kind of food did you eat (kascher of course, but what else?)

- What was the school like? What courses and subjects did you study? Was it hard?

- Was the school mixed male/females or it was guys only? If you were with girls, what kind of interactions were you having with them? How do religious orthodox teenagers flirt, for example?

Thanks for answering, Shalom.

lol, actually i met with a bunch of Palestinians while I was in Israel to try to understand the issue better. My sypnosis: there will no real peace as the modern western world understands peace.

at my first yeshiva food was awesome. This Yeshiva was classy and I was lucky to be a part of it. Most students were future doctors/lawyers/other professionals, and I was only between soph/jun year of undergrad. But their theory was that you go to this yeshiva after undergrad and clean your mind and body. Most students excerized every day between classes. The food was fresh, healthy and YUMMY! Breakfast we ate whole grain kornflakes with peanut butter and milk and fruit. Lunch and Dinner was cooked homemade by the old fat Russian woman whos name is Ms. Malach (which means angel in hebrew and she was!). She made tuna, chicken, pizza with small amt of crust, whole wheat pastas, etc...i dunno so much good food.

Second yeshiva the food was meh. Dont remember it too much except that it was modeled after europe in the sense lunch was the big meal. It was usually chicken, but not as healthy as the other place. Also a bigger yeshiva so it was mass produced. Dinner I usually went out to get Schwarma or Falafel (YUM!)

Classes were as hard as you wanted it to be. No grades or tests. You have homework but its not collected or anything. Alot of students were REALLY serious, and my chevrusa (learnign partner) was really serious. he is actually really orthodox, engaged to a religious woman, and at Univ. of Chicago Law school (like 6th best law school in the nation). but subjects included written torah, mishnah, gemorah, chassidus, mussar, etc..

too hard to explain all of those. but u have T(notice capital T)orah which is the base of judaism. Jews also beleive that when we received the Torah, God told moses a bunch of other laws that were not in the Torah itself. These became the oral law and were passed on for generations until this one rich dude named yehudah HaNasi(the prince) was scared that we were losing the oral code and funded to write it down in waht is known as the mishnah. then more laws were needed and written down in the Gemorahh. chassidus came later and is controversial sect of judaism. mussar is liek how to live in everyday life and be a good person.

No only guys. But all yeshivas have like a sister yeshiva. Usually you go to Yeshiva for a year or two and then u get fixed up with a girl from the sister yeshiva for marriage. This is known as a shidduch, or match. While I am not religious, i think this is a great way to meet a wife. Relig. jewish women, esp sephardic ones in israel are soooo hot and innocent. Think Emanuele Chicouri (sloan from entourage) but a virgin until u marry her and fk her on the weddign night.

[balls2wall]

good stuff.

How is the tolerance between the non-religious and religious in israel overall?

Any thoughts on the contrast between chassidus & mussur ? you hit up chabad at all?

also have you considered going back / potentially making aliyah?

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by balls2wall

good stuff.

How is the tolerance between the non-religious and religious in israel overall?

Any thoughts on the contrast between chassidus & mussur ? you hit up chabad at all?

also have you considered going back / potentially making aliyah?

It was OK, some tension. I didnt notice anything bad, but I was in jerusalem 95% of the time. Their communities are segregated and they dont interact too much, but they basically "live and let live"

I go to chabad here on campus at michigan state about once a week, either fri night or sat. I think u mean chassidus and litvish? I dunno, i think litvish/yeshivish is more authentic judaism. At the same time I think chassidus is an integral part of ouyr religion.

I will go back, but I want to spend more time on Tel Aviv beach lol. Aliyah? Thought of it, but way too unrealistic. Very difficult to make $$$ there, its still a 2nd world country.

[darkblood]

How safe is it for American tourists to visit, and where would one go for some really good local food?

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by darkblood

How safe is it for American tourists to visit, and where would one go for some really good local food?

lol 100% safe. To my knowledge, no american tourist has been killed in a terrorist attack. Imagine the uproar that would occur here...

Food is sooo good there. If you like Hummus it is good eveywhere. The best Falafel place I ate at was a small arab falafel restaurant near Hebrew University on French Hill, by the tourist dormitories. For Schwarma, you cant go wrong anywhere, dpends what ur in the mood for. If you want unlimited fries, and lamb or veal go to HaShamen on Ben Yehuda. If you want a healthier version of schwarma go to shalom falafel in ben yehuda since they sautee it in a little olive oil instead of slicing it off the huge piece with fat drippings down, liek most places. This is all in Jerusalem, BTW. I love the food; along with the women, their the main reasons to visit.

[EOY]

You basically just described what is commonly referred to as a "Madrasa" with regard to Muslims.

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by EOY

You basically just described what is commonly referred to as a "Madrasa" with regard to Muslims.

yea our religions are sooooooooo similar, esp compared to Christianity.

There was on rabbi who always talked about similaritiees between yiddkite (judaism) and islam

[EOY]

Originally Posted by Footballguru

yea our religions are sooooooooo similar, esp compared to Christianity.

There was on rabbi who always talked about similaritiees between yiddkite (judaism) and islam

Right, nearly identical in terms of core theology.

Here's Yemenite Jew (who eventually converted to Islam) on the similarities:

[NuggzTheNinja]

Originally Posted by Footballguru

goo

Sorry to hear that. Hope those matzbaynishim didn't get to you.

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by NuggzTheNinja

Sorry to hear that. Hope those matzbaynishim didn't get to you.

naw man it was a good experience. Would do it again. It really gives you a whole new really unique/interesting view on life. great learning experience

[psamty]

Originally Posted by Footballguru

yea our religions are sooooooooo similar, esp compared to Christianity.

There was on rabbi who always talked about similaritiees between yiddkite (judaism) and islam

I've always said that the reason Jews and Muslims are always fighting is precisely because both their religions are so similar. The negative aspects of the other's religion remind them of their own religion's negativities that they do not wish to admit, leading to a particularly visceral reaction.

[Alpha_Papa]

What did they teach you about Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands?

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Papa

What did they teach you about Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands?

Nothing. It wasnt a political yeshiva lol, just Judaism.

[Alpha_Papa]

Where was this?

How will this experience impact your life?

How's your perception of other religions?

[Aliman]

Interesting.

Not really related to your studying. But what is the relationship between Muslims and Jews in jerselum? do they live in peace with each other. How did people in your yeshiva view muslims? thanks

[balls2wall]

Originally Posted by psamty

I've always said that the reason Jews and Muslims are always fighting is precisely because both their religions are so similar. The negative aspects of the other's religion remind them of their own religion's negativities that they do not wish to admit, leading to a particularly visceral reaction.

Not to derail the thread, but I strongly disagree with this.

As a jew I can tell you Judaism is not a "competitive religion", it is more seen as a heritage and way of life passed down directly from our ancestors for us to follow. That is why Judaism does not seek converts and will in fact try to turn potential converts away.

From my prospective and from pretty much every jew i know, I could not care less what religion you follow, so long as it does not pose a danger to me.

I do not know one jew who has a problem with Islam in its own, the issue is only the outcome and actions that the religion produces.


(any fellow jews who disagree with this feel free to speak up.)

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Papa

Where was this?

How will this experience impact your life?

How's your perception of other religions?

Both were in Jerusalem. the first one: http://www.machonyaakov.org/ second: http://www.darchenoam.org/actual/ydn_home.htm

Impact my life hmm, well now for reasons not going to go into here, I dont eat non kosher meat or mix milk and meat, etc. I have a stronger Jewish Identity despite actually being agnostic, like I would never date a non jew now.

Perception of other religions? hmm what do you mean? I think religion is good for most people. I just hate when they mix with government.

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by Aliman

Interesting.

Not really related to your studying. But what is the relationship between Muslims and Jews in jerselum? do they live in peace with each other. How did people in your yeshiva view muslims? thanks

There were 2 terrorist attacks in Jerusalem when i was there: tractors got stolen and they tried to attack civilians. But to be honest, there were usually no problems, at least that I saw. Its more of a society-society/poltical conflict, the people themselves, esp the arabs actually living in Israel.

The people in my yeshiva came from all walks of life, and therefore had varying political views.

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by balls2wall

From my prospective and from pretty much every jew i know, I could not care less what religion you follow, so long as it does not pose a danger to me.

x2

Jews beleive that everyone from any religion can go to the next world

[Alpha_Papa]

You sound super-Jewish, going through all that despite being agnostic!

Shalom. I think you're a very intelligent, honest, and good person. And that is what makes a person holy. I'm a Christian by the way (adopted Jew )

[Footballguru]

some pictures:

when a shul gets a new torah (they cost like 50k) they have a party and dance in the street




my friend dancing in the street


one of my rabbis


a study session


a REAL hardcore yeshiva, for kids that were born into religious families

[zman155]

Originally Posted by Footballguru

lol, actually i met with a bunch of Palestinians while I was in Israel to try to understand the issue better. My sypnosis: there will no real peace as the modern western world understands peace.

Sounds awesome bro. Good to see some religious Jews out there (srs) I dont have a single Jewish friend who actively practices (no hate just saying) If you could give me a reasoning for this I would be all ears.

Also, could you expound this statement you made??

[ONtop888]

Originally Posted by zman155

Sounds awesome bro. Good to see some religious Jews out there (srs) I dont have a single Jewish friend who actively practices (no hate just saying) If you could give me a reasoning for this I would be all ears.

Also, could you expound this statement you made??

Yeah, I was curious about this statement as well.

[Footballguru]

Originally Posted by zman155

Sounds awesome bro. Good to see some religious Jews out there (srs) I dont have a single Jewish friend who actively practices (no hate just saying) If you could give me a reasoning for this I would be all ears.

Also, could you expound this statement you made??

i am not really a practicing jew, what is your 1st question exactly?

there are just too many issues where neither sides wants to budge on and both sides have at least somewhat legitimate argues for their positions. Palestinians want Jerusalem as their capital; this is not a demand Israel meet. Palestinians want refugees allowed back into ISRAEL (not a new Palestine). This too, Israel cannot meet for many practical reasons. I think the settlements can be resolved as long as Israel can keep its big ones, and compensate land in other areas that are inhabited by Arabs.

I think the biggest steps the Pals could make is if Israeli Arabs said they woudl want to immigrate to a newly founded Pal state. Obv, for life quality reasons, they probably wouldnt want to. So this too, cannot happen.

These are issues that go back a very long time and are both clouded by Religious beliefs which people generally do not want to budge on. There are also many practical problems for both sides. Transportation from Gaza- WB, israel's security if a Hamas wins an election in an actual gov't that produces arms, etc... so many issues guys. And people are SO dedicated and SO convinced and ignorant to any other viewpoints that they do not have rational debate, at all.

And to be honest, Israel is not in a bad spot right now. There is relative peace on both sides, so Israel is in no rush to get anything done. Their bigger problem is Iran.

[NuggzTheNinja]

I'm still trying to forget that "nectar" sh-t they drink in Israel.

[jackamo2887]

Lookins boring and stupid..where the bitches and the booze at?