Quote:
Originally posted by decadence
What's Chabad?
And do I understand it correctly that a Jewish person (aka a Jew - is that correct + inoffensive??) is someone who practices the religion judaism? In Israel, is judaism the primary religion (like catholicism in Italy say?)?
I'm confused about it - race/religion/culture (?) and don't know any Jewish people so thought I'd ask. Only way to learn  .
Thanks!
Richard
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I honestly have no idea why you don't know this but I guess it's ok.
Yes, Israel is the ONLY Jewish state. There has been a Jewish presence in the region since biblical times - unbroken through thousands of years. There are tons of Christian states and around 30 Arab states and even more Muslim states.
Yes, being Jewish is a religion but it is the only religion to carry such a national and cultural existence along with it. Jews are tied to Israel. Jews pray facing Israel. There are Western Jews who speak Yiddish which combines German and other dialects with Hebrew. There are Jews from Uganda, Ethiopia, China, etc who speak their own languages. There are Jews from Middle Eastern countries and Spain and Latin America. Within certain parts of Europe and America the Anglos and Westerners were foolish enough to label themselves further. All together, less than 1% of the total global population is Jewish. Their foods, culture, art is unique to them and influences their religion even. Jews are a people. It is a religion, first and foremost, with culture and race that has been influenced by history and given birth to Christianity and Islam.
And Chabad is a campus religious organization affiliated with the Lubavitcher movement - a movement of Orthodox Ashkenazim from Russia who dress according to their customs influenced by their history through time (ie black top hats).
-Rudey