Question
Hi. My girlfriend identifies as Messianic Jewish. I am agnostic, but I was raised Jewish until about 11. I am firm that I don't believe in G-d, but she insists that I might understand her better if I got to "know Him." To me, this seems like proselytizing, and further research into Messianic Judaism suggests to me that she isn't actually Jewish, but a Protestant seeking to spread the word of Jesus, or "Yeshua" as she refers to Him. She only attends church services on Sundays and seems nervous about going to temple to worship. I suppose my question is whether or not Messianic Judaism is "real Judaism?" I didn't finish Hebrew school, but I have a large Jewish family on my father's side and I never recall them talking about Yeshua as G-d. I'm sorry if this is an offensive question, but I'm having a hard time finding a good answer to what Messianic Judaism is. Thank you for your time.

Question
I understand what it means to be Jewish if you believe in Judaism, but can you have Jewish blood even if you don't believe in Judaism or the Jewish holy books? Is it possible to separate the race from the religion, or do they go hand in hand?

Question
Next week is a rally for Israel in Washington, DC. My parents are too old and debilitated to go themselves, but they are ordering me to go to it. I don’t want to go because it is at the same time as a monthly book club meeting I don’t want to miss. My parents think the meeting is stupid, but it means a lot to me. I feel there will be plenty of people at the rally, even without me. I am an adult, old enough to have grandchildren if I had ever married, and I feel I shouldn’t have to do this just because my parents say so. What do you as a rabbi think?

Question
I know you people have a commandment not to commit murder. And you are not supposed to violate it even to save a life. Then what permits killing in self defense?

Question
Let's say a daughter is born first, then 2 sons. The 2 sons denounce their heritage and want nothing to do with it. (They are from the tribe of Levi) The daughter embraces her culture and religion. The son in law (also a Jew, not a Levi) also embraces culture and religion. Since neither of the sons wishes to continue the Levi line either with children, and denounced their heritage. Does the firstborn son rights pass to the son in law?