#Reconstructing Judaism

[feygaleh]

as a reform jew i do not believe we are jews by choice. i believe a jew is a jew is a jew. whether that means you’re matrilineal or patrilineal or a convert of any denomination. you’ve always had a jewish soul. you’ve always been jewish. everything you’ve done has always been jewish. nothing you do can make you NOT jewish. because that’s what makes me feel best in my religion. HOWEVER. i LOVE recon jews who stand by “jews by choice” because i find the sentiment of “i decided to keep this up because i love it” and “i decided to convert for (whichever reason) and i love it” to be SO powerful as a movement. during a time like this where SO many people hate us and SO many of our OWN kind hate us we still CHOOSE to love our jewish people and CHOOSE to be jewish and participate in it. i have such HIGH respect for recon jews who hold being jewish by choice to their chest. i love our people so much

[comfortcomfortdeercat]

Blessings I say over coffee

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ/רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּּ, מֶלֶך/רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם שְהוֹלֵד עַזִים מִמצָא קַפֶה

Blessed are You, Adonoy, king/spirit of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree

Blessed are you, Adonoy, king/spirit of the universe, who created the goats who discovered coffee

[mexikosher]

anava עֲנָוָה ✡︎ doikayt דאָיִקייט

pslams 37:11 — 24 — she/ella

[spoondrifts]

discourse as time travel: talmudic creations of non-linear temporality

i lied, i don't actually like sex. put your clothes back on. i'm going to explain foucault's theory of heterotopias and how it relates to systems of communal entry into talmudic study that both invent and record non-linear time

[apas-95]

As it apparently needs to be restated - race, ethnicity, and nationality are not themselves the basic drivers of history. Political-economic class is.

The European practice of placing African people into chattel slavery was not carried out on the basis of any innate characteristics of 'blackness' or 'whiteness' - those categories did not exist before the slave trade, they were created in support of it. Europe at the time found it would be beneficial to have a class of slave workers for its colonial projects, and it had the military, political, and economic might to subjugate Africa and African people to that end. Had you asked a Prussian and a Scotsman prior to the institution of African slavery if they were both members of a common 'race', they would have found the idea ridiculous - and yet, transport those two ahead in time, and perhaps to settlements in the Americas, and suddenly they were both Whites. Whiteness (and its necessary counterpart, blackness), then, is not some intrinsic quality based on the tone of someone's skin, but a political and economic category constructed to differentiate between those people that could be oppressed and made chattel by the slave trade, and those that could not.

This is true for all these systems of oppression - though they may be divided on supposed lines of biology or locality, they are not inherently based on biological factors, those are functionally coincidental, and are constructed as justifications for a system necessitated by purely political and economic reasons. Nazi oppression of Jewish, and Roma, and Slavic [and etc.] people was not fundamentally based on any inherent quality of e.g. Judaism, but on the economic needs of German capital under the burden of postwar reconstruction and 'war reparations' paid to the victorious powers. It was not blind hatred, but the inevitable result of a society built in pursuit of profit - one whose ruling class held a cold, calculated need to expropriate wealth, weaken worker organisation, and seize and depopulate land to strengthen the composition of capital. It was still necessary for this system to split the population into one group of 'legitimate targets' for victimisation, and one of reassured, protected accomplices, though there were no obvious physical, 'biological' features to base these on - so they were constructed, both through propaganda that exaggerated physiology, and through the appending of obvious badges and marks onto those targeted. Again, these were sets of features, and categories, created to support a system of oppression and exploitation, not the reasons it came into being in the first place.

Again, these are fundamentally political and economic categories, and can only be properly understood as such. If not properly understood as being based, first and foremost, on material interests of classes, then any analysis of them is unstable. For example: appeals to the supposed ancestral claim of zionists to the land of Palestine, and thereby to indigineity, can only be refuted with an understanding that indigeneity is a political and economic characteristic, of relation towards the oppression of a settler state, and not some characteristic of where one's ancestors were born. None of this is to say that race, nationality, etc don't function as axes of oppression - but that they must be understood as manifestations of the existing political and economic material interests of classes that drive the development of history, if they are to be fought against.

[vaspider]

I want to learn more about Jewish culture and history after a recent Ancestry test confirmed my family are Ashkenazi Jews, but the process is daunting with the state of misinformation and antisemitism in the USA. How can I start if going to a synagogue and asking is just not an option? (Comments and info in tags are welcome)

A few places to start. :)

I have tried to provide a basic, broad selection of sites across a number of different strains of thought within the Jewish world. None of these links are an endorsement of a particular site, publication on that site, or point of view on that site. We're Jews: we disagree strenuously about deeply essential things & are still one people.

I really hate that I have to say these things, but every time I post about Judaism at all, someone comes through like they think they're Encyclopedia Brown or some shit, trying to sniff out what I 'really mean' by what I post. What I mean is that these are basic resources. :)

[dzgrizzle]

“Welcoming the stranger is not a political act—it’s a sacred obligation. When immigrants walk through our church doors, they’re not entering as outsiders; they are stepping into the heart of our faith, where their dignity and stories are embraced as reflections of God’s love,” said Julia Ayala Harris, president of The Episcopal Church’s House of Deputies. “This lawsuit is about protecting our ability to live out the Gospel without fear or interference.”

Co-plaintiffs in the suit include representatives from many Christian and Jewish traditions, including Baptists, Brethren, Disciples, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Mennonites, Methodists, Quakers, Presbyterians, Unitarian Universalists, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Kehilla Community Synagogue, Reconstructing Judaism, and the Union for Reform Judaism.

[traegorn]

ok on your lilith post- im not gonna argue if its ok or not to work with lilith, but i think the funniest fucking response ever was to go in the comments and say “you know im wiccan, right?”

like im going to assume in good faith that youre either new to witchcraft or arent too familiar with different kinds of witchcraft, but i was born into this life and I want to hold your hand gently and say Wicca is the religion-stealing religion. Most, if not all of wicca is stolen from other (usually closed) religions and cultures like judaism, romani culture, egyptian culture and religion, indigenous culture and religion, etc. Again im assuming you dont know that though, because it gets packaged up all pretty

like im going to assume in good faith that youre either new to witchcraft or arent too familiar with different kinds of witchcraft

Sweaty, I'm going to hold your hand gently while I say this: I have been a practicing Wiccan for over twenty-five years. I have been researching various forms of witchcraft since before that. I know the origins of Wicca back to the beginning.

I once got myself stuck in the middle of an old man fight between Don Frew and Aidan Kelly (and Don Frew really, really, really doesn't like me).

If you want to discuss specific accusations of cultural appropriation, I'm more than happy to have a conversation about it. But I honestly don't think you're prepared for that -- since you're equating ancient Egyptian religion (which is largely reconstruction and open) to closed religious practices like Judaism and various indigenous cultures.

I have said many times before that while individual Wiccans have culturally appropriated, it's not an actual part of the religion Wicca itself, nor is it any more common with Wiccans than any other kind of suburban white witches in the western world. Cultural appropriation is a white people problem, not a Wicca problem.

If you want to make criticisms, have specifics. Give me citations. Wicca's history and beliefs are incredibly well documented. Because until you do, I'm just going to assume you're repeating what you heard someone say on TikTok/Facebook/Twitter one time.

And again...

[sefaradweb]

重建清真寺记

🇪🇸 La inscripción de piedra de 1489, conocida como "Registro de la Reconstrucción del Templo Puro y Verdadero" (重建清真寺记), se erigió en julio de 1489 en Kaifeng, China. Es una de las primeras inscripciones de la comunidad judía de Kaifeng y conmemora la reconstrucción de la sinagoga después de ser destruida por una inundación del Río Amarillo en 1461. Esta inscripción fue escrita por Jin Zhong, un judío de Kaifeng, y mide 60 x 30 x 5 pulgadas, hecha de piedra caliza gris oscuro. La inscripción describe tres temas principales: el origen e historia del judaísmo, las prácticas de oración y arrepentimiento, y la trayectoria del judaísmo en China y su relación con el confucianismo. Destaca cómo los judíos de Kaifeng se adaptaron a las costumbres chinas y cómo las similitudes culturales con la comunidad musulmana Hui a menudo llevaron a confusiones entre las dos. La inscripción también menciona figuras históricas clave, como el rabino Levy y los hermanos Jin, y detalla la integración de conceptos chinos y judíos, fusionando figuras como Pangu y Adán. La estela aún existe y fue trasladada a la Catedral de la Trinidad por la Misión Anglicana Canadiense en 1912.

🇺🇸 The 1489 stone inscription, known as the "Record of the Rebuilding of the Pure and Truth Temple" (重建清真寺记), was erected in July 1489 in Kaifeng, China. It is one of the earliest inscriptions from the Kaifeng Jewish community and commemorates the reconstruction of the synagogue after its destruction by a Yellow River flood in 1461. This inscription was written by Jin Zhong, a Kaifeng Jew, and measures 60 x 30 x 5 inches, made of dark gray limestone. The inscription covers three main themes: the origin and history of Judaism, practices of prayer and repentance, and the trajectory of Judaism in China and its relationship with Confucianism. It highlights how Kaifeng Jews adapted to Chinese customs and how cultural similarities with the Hui Muslim community often led to confusion between the two. The inscription also mentions key historical figures, such as Rabbi Levy and the Jin brothers, and details the integration of Chinese and Jewish concepts, merging figures like Pangu and Adam. The stele still exists and was moved to Trinity Cathedral by the Canadian Anglican Mission in 1912.

[aqlstar]

As of 2025, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College has Rabbi Alan LaPayover, a member of JVP's Rabbinical Council of Anti-Zionist Jews, directing their Mordechai Kaplan Library.

There is no universe in which Mordechai Kaplan (https://archive.org/details/newzionism00kapl ) would want someone who supports terrorism against Jews in Israel directing his library.

So reconstructionist affiliated jews please give feedback and share with your communities :)

[girlactionfigure]

Gaza by Any Other Name

Since Trump dropped his epic relocation plan, thousands of articles have been written about its pros and cons, focusing on logistics, morality, legality and so forth. One issue remained neglected. I’d like to address it.

For thousands of years, Gaza has been a magnet for misfortune. Time and again, it picked up fights too big for it and didn’t know when to stop. Through the centuries, its enemy punished it terribly, leaving behind smoldering ruins, mass graves, and generations of people caught in the crossfire. 

The Babylonians, the Egyptians, the Macedonians, the Romans, the Arabs, the Crusaders, the Mongols, the Ottomans, the British, the Israelis—almost every major player in the region has taken a turn at leveling the place. If cities had astrological charts, Gaza’s would read “unrelenting chaos with occasional firestorms.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump put it well in his signature blunt style:

"Gaza Strip... has been a symbol of death and destruction for so many decades and so bad for the people anywhere near it, and especially those who live there and frankly who've been really very unlucky. It's been very unlucky. It's been an unlucky place for a long time. Being in its presence just has not been good."

And, you know what? He’s not wrong. Gaza’s history suggests something beyond just bad leadership, bad geography, or bad geopolitics. It suggests a cosmic-level losing streak. Here are just a few highlights from its long, unlucky history:

601 BCE – The Babylonians razed Gaza as part of their conquest of the Levant. The city’s people were either slaughtered or exiled.

332 BCE – The city held out for two months against Alexander the Great, which made him furious. When his troops finally broke through, they massacred all the men, sold the women and children into slavery, and replaced them with foreign settlers. 

96 BCE – The Jewish Hasmonean king, Alexander Jannaeus, captured Gaza and slaughtered its inhabitants wholesale and burned many of its landmarks. The survivors were forced to choose between conversion to Judaism and exile to Egypt. Once again, Gaza had to start from scratch.

66 CE – Gazan Jews rose up against the Roman occupiers. The Romans retaliated with their usual efficiency—by killing nearly every Jew in the city.

793–796 CE – An ancient feud between two Arab tribal confederations turned into a full-blown civil war, with Gaza caught in the middle. By the time Abbasid authorities put an end to the fighting, Gaza was entirely depopulated.

1100 CE – The Crusaders, fresh from their conquest of Jerusalem, took Gaza and, in typical Crusader fashion, slaughtered most of the population. 

1260 CE – The Mongols under Hulagu Khan stormed Gaza, massacred most of the residents, and left the city a field of bones and rubble. 

1917 – During World War I, Gaza was a key defensive position for the Ottoman Empire. The British, determined to break through, have politely destroyed the city. After two failed assaults, they finally captured Gaza—but only after leveling much of it in the process.

2023 – Since the creation of Israel, Gaza has been at the center of near-constant fighting. The Suez Crisis, the Six-Day War, multiple intifadas, Israeli airstrikes, and Hamas-led conflicts have kept Gaza in a perpetual cycle of war and reconstruction. On October 7 it launched the war that might well prove to be its undoing. 

Yes, Gaza has been destroyed so many times it’s a wonder anyone bothers rebuilding it. Or, in the words of Trump:

“It should not go through a process of rebuilding and occupation by the same people that have really stood there and fought for it and lived there and died there and lived a miserable existence there. Instead, we should go to other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts, and there are many of them that want to do this and build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the million Palestinians living in Gaza, ending the death and destruction and frankly bad luck."

Maybe it’s time to try something radical—like changing its name.

This wouldn’t be the first time a place has undergone a rebranding in an attempt to shake off a history of conflict and misfortune. One of the most famous examples is Judea. 

Time after time, the Romans crushed Jewish uprisings with extreme brutality. To punish the rebellious nation, Emperor Hadrian renamed the province "Syria-Palestina" after the ancient enemies of the Jews, and—just like that—the Jewish revolts stopped for centuries. Coincidence? Maybe. But it certainly marked the end of the region’s long cycle of uprisings.

Other places have benefited from a fresh name, too. 

Take Constantinople—a city that had been the target of endless sieges and invasions for over a thousand years. The Crusaders sacked it. The Ottomans conquered it. But after the Turks renamed the city “Istanbul,” things turned around. Today, it’s a thriving metropolis with a booming economy and exactly zero crusaders setting fire to it.

Then there’s New York, originally called New Amsterdam when it was a Dutch colony. The English took it over in 1664, gave it a new name, and the place went on to become the financial and cultural capital of the world.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, saw a dramatic shift in its trajectory after its renaming. Saigon had been the capital of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, a city synonymous with war, division, and the fall of a government. But after reunification, it was given a new name and gradually transformed into Vietnam’s economic hub.

Gaza, too, could use a break. 

Every time its name is mentioned in the news, it’s in the context of destruction, war, or humanitarian catastrophe. No one ever says, “I just got back from my vacation in Gaza—great beaches, wonderful food, fantastic hotels!” That’s because, despite having all those things (really! Read about Gaza before the war, it wasn’t nearly as bad as people imagine) the name Gaza has been weighed down by millennia of bloodshed and decades of barbaric Hamas rule.

A new name could symbolize a new beginning. 

Of all the proposed actions, it’s the cheapest and safest one. When you’ve been through thousands of years of bad luck, what’s one more small change? 

Worth a shot, don’t you think?

URI KURLIANCHIK

FEB 16

[judaismandsuch]

On 'Redemption' and Religious Cross Talk

This is probably the type of thing that I should research more/get sources before I post about, but this won't be terribly in depth so whatever!

There is a problem (only one problem!) in even polite inter religious conversation between Christianity and Judaism that leads to a lot of annoyance and confusion, and that is the subject of 'Redemption'.

The problem is, redemption features heavily in both our views of the Messiah, but means something so completely different that talking about gets annoying to the point of frustration, and Judaism has by and large dropped the word because of it.

So I just want to do a quick, overly simplified, discussion of the two meanings.

In Christianity, the meaning pretty well understood, and (to generalize and oversimplify), the 'Redemption' is being redeemed/absolved from all sins, with afterlife implications.

In Judaism, it is not that at all. The Redemption that the Messiah will bring doesn't really have an easy phrase, but is basically 'Redemption from slavery in diaspora', which is a poor choice of words and will make people scratch their heads somewhat.

So to give a deeper theological/linguistic historical explanation:

In the Torah, when a slave is freed it is called 'being redeemed'/'redemption' if you pay the price of a slave and free them you have redeemed them.

So it makes sense that when HaShem took us from Slavery in Egypt (the ending of the first Exile) it was called 'Redemption'. (nothing to do with our sins really*.)

Then add in the fact that when a land was conquered/it's people expelled in the ancient world, it was common to put the people into slavery/forced work, it makes sense that the end of any exile would be called a redemption.

Now since the final prophecies about the destruction of the second temple, the reunification of the Jews under a new king, the reconstruction of the Third Temple and the Nation being free and not under control of a greater empire were made in that era, it makes perfect sense that the transformation is called 'Redemption', even though our sins are not washed away.

And if you look at the prophecies about this time it does talk about the jews enslaved by the foreign powers being redeemed from their slavery and brought back in those terms.

Now currently we more talk about it as a Spiritual slavery, but w/e. So while the Jews are waiting for a Messiah to bring Redemption, it is a very different one than (most) Christians believe that Jesus brought.

*There is a touch of belief that some people hold that our sins will always be too great for the Redemption to happen purely on our spiritual merit, so one could argue that there is a bit of sin stuff happening, but I don't really think it counts.

N.B.: This is a simplification, I skipped sources, but this is meant to be a clarification/aid to better disccusions NOT a pure informative post

[comfortcomfortdeercat]

A terrible cocktail idea that is actually tasty:

The Lubavitch LMAOnade

1 part slivovitz

3 parts MTN DEW

Pour ingredients over ice, garnish with a brachah

[meirmakesstuff]

If you're thinking of attending a synagogue service as a way to support your local Jewish community but don't know how:

I'm writing this on 10/13/23, but this applies to any occasion when the Jewish community might be in a state of fear or sadness, or when you might be moved to show support for your local Jewish community by showing up. The main comment I've gotten from people who want to do this is that they don't know how to begin, so here's a quick guide for how to actually do that if you've never been to or interacted with a synagogue before.

How to choose a synagogue

How to ask first

What to wear and bring

When you get there

Additional notes

How to choose a synagogue

Depending on where you live, googling "synagogue [zip code]" may get you a lot or very few hits. Look at the synagogue's website for hints.

If you see the words "messianic" or "yeshua" that's not a real synagogue, that's predatory Christians hoping to be mistaken for Jews. Supporting them does not support your local Jewish community.

Check for the words "Orthodox," "Conservative," "Reconstructing Judaism," or "Reform" to help know what to expect. If you would be distressed to encounter segregated seating by binary gender, that's a reason you might avoid an Orthodox synagogue. The word "Conservative" in this context does not refer to political opinions, it's the name of a denomination just like Orthodox, Reconstructing, and Reform--what's being conserved in Conservative Judaism is liturgical traditions and religious observances. In fact, in most of these settings, to a lesser or greater extent depending on your specific location, you are likely to find the majority of people leaning generally to the left of your local average, politically. Which isn't to say there won't be outliers, that's just the typical makeup. In terms of service length, a Reform synagogue service is likely the shortest. It will also likely contain the most English during the service. No mainstream denomination of Judaism practices proselytizing. You should not fear that anyone will actively try to convert you.

On the synagogue website they should list start times for Friday night and Saturday morning services. That will help you choose a service you might be able to attend. I'll add notes on the differences and what to expect from either later on.

How to ask first

Not all communities will find an unexpected visitor to be a safe situation, no matter how good your intentions may be. Before you show up at a synagogue, check the website for the email addresses for the rabbi and either the president or "info" or something similar. Here's a model script for you to use:

Hi Rabbi [Lastname], I'm not Jewish but was looking for ways to show support to our local Jewish community and wondered if it would be appropriate to attend a service this coming [Friday/Saturday] as a way of showing my local Jewish community that you are not alone. If that would not be appreciated, is there another gesture an individual could make that would help this community feel supported? Otherwise, what do I need to know in order to be respectful to your community while attending a service? Sincerely, [your name]

You can also ask about accessibility questions you might have in the same email.

In a larger city or a place that has recieved threats of violence recently, they may be more cautious, but a synagogue in a small city or suburban area may simply say that anyone is welcome to show up to any service.

What to wear and bring

If the rabbi or synagogue office emails back with clothing guidelines, follow them. If not, bet on business casual as a dress code: for a masculine presentation, slacks, a button-down shirt with or without a tie, and a blazer or sweater, and for a feminine presentation slacks or a skirt knee length or longer, with a top that covers the shoulders. for Orthodox and some Conservative synagogues, wear long or three-quarter sleeves. In an Orthodox synagogue, women typically wear dresses and skirts rather than pants. I would advise avoiding wearing a visible cross while attending a service of any Jewish denomination.

You don't need to bring anything in particular with you. Be sure to place your cell phone on silent and double-check that any alarms are turned off. In Orthodox and many other synagogues, people may avoid carrying wallets with them, but no one should be offended that you have yours with you as a visitor.

This should go without saying but do not bring any kind of weapon with you. In a large city with high security needs your bag may be searched or you may be asked to show ID before entering. It is very likely that you will see a uniformed police officer or armed security guard. Synagogues in large cities might have dramatically increased their security presence this week. A visitor who is being respectful to the community is not what they're looking for.

Jewish people attending the service may bring prayer shawls or kippot (singular: kipa, also called yarmulkes) to wear. A visitor is not expected to have these. Most synagogues have baskets of kippot available at the entrance for guests. In Orthodox communities, men should wear one while in the building and women should not. In Conservative communities men should wear one and others may decide to wear one or not. In any other community you may but are not expected to wear a kipa. There will likely also be a rack of prayer shawls at the door, but non-Jews are not expected to wear these.

When you get there

Someone may make a point of approaching you early on. Please don't be embarrassed to tell them that you're not Jewish. Some synagogues will make a point on Saturday morning of assigning an "honor," that is, a role in the service, to Jewish newcomers. If someone approaches you to offer you an honor or asks you a question you don't understand, you can say "Thank you, I'm not Jewish, I'm visiting to show support for the community." Alternately, someone may simply approach you to welcome you and help you get situated.

If not, feel free to find yourself a seat.

In an Orthodox synagogue, in which the seating will be segregated by gender, there will be a curtain or screen between the men's and women's sections. The women's section may be side-by-side with the men's, behind it, or above it in a balcony. A synagogue with a balcony should either have an elevator or a small section of the lower level set apart from the men's section for Disabled women's seating.

In any other denomination, seating is not segregated by gender. In that case there is no wrong part of the general seating area that is wrong to sit in.

There are differing norms in different communities about how much talking is appropriate during services, so go along with what you see around you. Since you will likely not know the songs and much of what happens will be in Hebrew, you may lose your place in the book. If you're not able to find the page, feel free to read something that interests you in the book or look around the room. No one would judge you as a guest for not already knowing the service. Feel free to chime in if you hear everyone saying "amen" in unison or if you catch on to a song, but don't feel pressured to do anything but be present.

There will be times during the service where people will sit, stand, bow, or make other motions. If you are not able to stand, or if you are able to stand but not safely or comfortably or for a long time, please know that it's perfectly okay to remain seated for your own safety. Otherwise, sit and stand when the people around you sit and stand, and don't feel that you have to bow or keep up with other motions.

The service will likely end with blessings over wine and bread. This is not like the Christian eucharist, it's just food, with blessings of gratitude. These blessings may be recited as the last part of the service or in a room where snacks will be laid out. Again follow people's lead on when it's the right time to start taking snacks.

During the snack period people may approach you and introduce themselves. Now is a good time to tell them that you're here to show support to the community, but don't directly mention any specific occurrence unless someone brings it up first. If people are talking about Israel or current events, listen without contributing opinions unless they ask directly. Don't try to be funny or clever about it: this is not the time to tell everyone your super great idea for how to fix everything in the Middle East by putting the pope in charge or launching it to the moon or having it annexed by Aotearoa. The Jews are tired. You're here to listen. People may say things you disagree with. It's okay. You don't have to fix anyone's opinion right now. You don't even have to come back. If someone is making you uncomfortable, excuse yourself, get a second helping of cake, and say hi to someone different. This is a good time to say hello to the service leaders if you haven't met them before the service began. You can compliment the sermon or singing, or just say "I'm glad I came, I hope I was able to help this community feel supported."

Additional notes

Almost every synagogue occasionally has non-members and non-Jewish guests take part in community activities. An exception is very small communities in places where outsiders are generally hostile. It's not weird to be present in Jewish spaces as a non-Jew unless the people in that community make it weird. If so, you don't owe them anything and you don't have to come back. Every community is different, and I've been to synagogues I wouldn't choose to return to. As a general rule though, you will almost certainly be welcomed and asked about yourself. Feel free to share a little about the conversations that led to you wanting to show up for your local Jewish community, since people will likely be curious, but also remember to ask lots of questions yourself. As a general rule, Jews love to explain ourselves, so please do ask questions about the things you see and experience in the synagogue.

Topics to avoid unless someone directly asks you:

What you personally believe about God

Your personal feelings about Israel

How you would solve the situation if you were in charge

your past experience of Christianity

Jesus, in any context

Violence of any kind

What you think this community, its rabbi, Jews in general, or the Israeli government could be doing better.

Most of these are simply a matter of that there's a time and place for everything, and a Jewish service at a time of stress and sadness is not the time for these particular topics. If you feel a strong urge to talk about these topics without being asked, find a different location and group of people to do that with. The best way to be successful at showing support is to genuinely listen.

If you are a non-Jew interested in doing this and have follow-up questions, or if you are Jewish and feel I left out important details, please go ahead. I'm also happy to talk by PM if you need help figuring out a specific synagogue website. I'm not interested in doxxing anyone.

[witchyintention]

Do witches worship the devil?

🐐Do Witches Worship the Devil?

Let’s be honest. This question has survived longer than disco and pyramid schemes: “So, do witches worship the devil?”

It’s 2025 and we’re still dragging this dusty accusation around like it’s on sale at a medieval witch trial clearance event. But fine — let’s talk about it. With facts. With clarity. With our usual tea-spilling tone.

🔍 First: What Is Witchcraft?

Witchcraft is a spiritual and magical practice, not a religion. Think of it like cooking — you can make a feast with ingredients from all over the world, but the recipe book you use is your personal belief system. That might be Paganism, Christianity, Atheism, Satanism, Buddhism, or something you stitched together yourself (looking at you, Eclectic Witches).

Witchcraft involves things like:

Spellcasting

Energy work

Divination (tarot, astrology, pendulums)

Working with herbs, crystals, spirits, ancestors

Living in tune with nature, the elements, and cycles

It’s not inherently about deities at all — and it certainly isn’t about worshipping Satan… unless you want it to be (more on that later).

🌿 Now, What’s Paganism?

Paganism is a spiritual or religious umbrella term that includes a wide variety of polytheistic, animistic, nature-based traditions. Examples include:

Wicca

Druidry

Norse Heathenry (Ásatrú)

Hellenic, Kemetic, and Roman reconstructions

Modern animistic paths

Eclectic Paganism

In essence, Pagan religions do not believe in the Christian Devil. That’s not even part of the cosmology.

The concept of the "Devil" — the horned, evil, soul-stealing being with a pitchfork — comes from Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). You will not find him in the lore of ancient Greek mythology, Norse sagas, Celtic traditions, or Egyptian temples. At all.

🏛️ So Where Did the Confusion Come From?

Blame the Inquisition. And some spicy propaganda.

Back in ye olde days, Christianity spread across Europe and encountered the existing Pagan religions. The Church needed people to convert — and labeling the old gods and nature spirits as “demonic” made conversion very persuasive.

Pan, the Greek goat-horned god of the wild? Became a template for the Devil’s appearance.

Forest spirits, midwives, herbalists? Accused of witchcraft and consorting with demons.

Fertility and death rituals? Rebranded as Satanic orgies or sacrilege.

This was cultural erasure disguised as “saving souls.” And the image stuck.

The infamous European witch hunts (roughly 1400–1700) used “devil worship” as a catch-all accusation. Thousands of people — especially women — were tortured, killed, and burned not because they summoned Satan, but because they knew how to use mugwort and didn’t bow to patriarchal systems.

😈 So What Is Satanism Then?

Satanism is a modern religious or philosophical belief system — and it’s more diverse than people realize.

🕯️ LaVeyan Satanism

Founded in 1966 by Anton LaVey (yep, it’s that recent), this form of Satanism doesn’t involve worship at all. It’s atheistic and uses Satan as a symbol of individuality, freedom, rebellion, and ego.

No belief in a literal Devil

No blood sacrifices

No cursing babies or pledging your soul for fame (sorry, TikTok)

LaVeyan Satanism is more like a spicy life philosophy than a religion.

🐐 The Satanic Temple

Founded in 2013 and often in the headlines, this is a political and social justice organization using Satan as a symbol of civil liberties and anti-theocracy. Their “Seven Tenets” emphasize compassion, justice, bodily autonomy, and reason.

Again: no devil-worshipping required.

There are also Theistic Satanists, a smaller group who do believe in and venerate Satan as a deity. These folks may use witchcraft, but their path is unique and doesn’t reflect the entire witchcraft community.

🔮 What About Eclectic Witches?

Ah, the playlist witches. Eclectic witches pull from many traditions and create a personalized spiritual path that resonates with them. They might work with Norse runes, Greek gods, chakras, tarot, and kitchen witchery — all in the same month.

Could an eclectic witch work with Satan or Lucifer? Sure. Free will exists. But most don't.

And even those who do aren't summoning “evil.” They may see Lucifer as a symbol of enlightenment, freedom, or knowledge — more Prometheus than Prince of Darkness.

🧙‍♀️ Why the Myth Still Exists

Pop culture. Thanks, The Craft, Sabrina, Supernatural, and everything written by 1600s priests.

Fear sells. Nothing gets people clutching pearls faster than the Devil.

Misinformation. TikTok and YouTube can spread rumors like wildfire if left unchecked.

Religious trauma. Many of us were raised to fear anything not stamped "approved" by a church.

But let's be real — most witches are more likely to:

Leave offerings to a nature deity

Light a candle for their ancestors

Perform self-love spells with rose quartz

Make protection jars for their houseplants

…than they are to be summoning some sulfur-scented demon in a robe.

✨ TL;DR Recap

Witchcraft = magical practice, not a religion

Paganism = umbrella of non-Abrahamic spiritual paths (no devil included)

The Devil = an Abrahamic concept, not relevant to most witches

Satanism = real, but not what you think (and not most witches)

Eclectic witches can work with who they want, but most don’t work with “the Devil”

Pop culture and fear-mongering have kept this myth alive for centuries

🧠 Want to Sound Smart in a Debate?

Try this response next time someone hits you with “witches worship Satan.”

“Actually, witchcraft is a practice that spans many belief systems — and most don’t even recognize the devil as real. That’s an Abrahamic concept. Pagan deities predate Christianity and have nothing to do with Satan. So… no. I don’t worship the devil. But thanks for your concern!”

Add a wink. Optional but effective.

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[gryficowa]

Boycott!

Tia… Supposedly "God's Gang" has a second episode (Strange after a specific reception…), although what offends me more is that "Christians" (Whose name I don't remember… Because Ninjew took all the memory with his name …) didn't know that pork (With cheese, but well, that's less important… Unless we consider Ninjew and his reaction as cheese important… In the sense that as I understand it, in Judaism you shouldn't mix milk with her baby… Wait, what, tia… I still don't understand anything, but yes, I'll skip this reaction to cheese because I don't understand it, ok?) is not allowed in a different religion… Ok, in a different context it makes sense, BUT I REMEMBER, THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE YESTERDAY, BUT PROBABLY LONGER, IT HURTS ME, BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE AN ATTEMPT TO TRANSFER KNOWLEDGE TO THE VIEWER, BUT IT WAS DONE SO INAPPARENTLY THAT THIS CHARACTER SHOULD FUCKING KNOW IT

Now that I have your attention:

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Yes, it pisses me off, I've been struggling for years to write the best script (that I can) and then you see this hole in the plot and it gives you a headache

And when I understood it, the Muslim character said "Hala"… I mean, I don't understand the context anymore, but "Haram" (Because it's a sin) would rather fit here, but that's carpentry on my part… The mistake I mentioned earlier is more irritated, if it weren't for him, I would have cared more about it, but it was so big that it reminds me of that atrocity from 2010… And yes, I watched a live video on YouTube with commentary (without it, I wouldn't have known that this thing had released a second episode)

You can simply see the typical problems of a novice creator (if there is a novice author), in short, illogicality, so that the viewer gets the key information, it would work better if someone from outside the gang created this burger, then it would make sense that the characters would talk that they can't eat it because it doesn't make sense, the characters have probably known each other long enough, so you understand… It's just a mistake of novice creators (and cartoons from 2010 and years before)

Remember to collect at the top!