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Hello rabbis. I'm a non-Jew asking again a question to you here. This is about Zoroastrianism: In Persia (and this was also during the Jewish exile in Persia) the prominent religion was Zoroastrianism, for a very long time. And many have noted the many similarities between Zoroastrianism and Judaism, such as: a story of a forefather who rejected the religion of the time, Zoroastrianism is closer to monotheism than many other ancient idolatrous beliefs, many similar laws, like priesthood, separation from a female during menstruation, etc. The main, "scholarly" view that you mostly see is that Jewish tradition developed off from Zoroastrianism. Does your Jewish tradition offer any information as to the origin of Zoroastrianisn? Do you think "Zoroaster" (Zarathustra, really) -- their prophet -- and his story, is just a mangled, messed up version of the story of Avraham? Because I know how the ancients' various worldwide flood stories are all just mangled, messed up versions of the real event, the story of Noach's ark. Thank you. Simon

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Genesis 25:32 And Esav said, Behold,I am at the point to die: and what "profit" shall this "birthright" bring me? Why did Esav hate Yaaqov? Esav willing forfeited his first born blessing for lentils. Genesis 25:34 Then Ya aqov gave Esav bread and cottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink,and rose up and went his way: thus Esav "despised" his birthright. Did Esav intend to keep his vow to his brother? If so, why was Esav angered when Yaaqov received the promised blessing? Would this oath between the brothers been binding in Isaac eyes? Yaaqov wore a rough hairy garment to deceive. This raises the question of the legitimacy of the vow according to Torah law.

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Dear Rabbi, I am a 3/4 goy with no jewish culture preserved in my current family so I apologize in advance for my ignorance. Recently I was digging into the David star (magen David), nazi jewish badge, nazi badges used in KZ-Lagers and the flag of Israel issue and I got completely lost in the fine details. Can you shed some light on these issues? I got really confused by the role of the David Star in jewish tradition. I understand that it is one very old symbol going back to probably King Solomon. I can not tell how important this symbol is. Is it just one "seal" or "talisman" among many others or is it some very fundamental symbol? I ask this in historical context. The jewish badge was very prominently used by the nazis to mark jewish people. I refer to the yellow hexagram, which is similar to the magen David. What was the reason this badge was chosen? What was the "message" and "motivation" of the nazis? I also got confused by the badge system used by the nazis in the KZ-camps. As I understand it, they used colored triangles to indicate the group that the inmate belonged to (jewish, gay, gipsy, etc.) and a second colored triangle indicating the crime that the inmate is guilty of (socialist, common criminal, etc.). For a very long time I assumed that the yellow star was actually two of these triangles, both yellow, combined. Somewhat supporting this, there was the yellow-red combination to indicate socialist jews, etc. Does this theory hold any water? Either inside the camps or outside in the streets. Why was the magen David chosen to be part of the flag of Israel? Would it have happened without the nazi holocaust? I go back to the original first question: how important is this symbol, what does it mean and what did it use to mean many centuries ago? Is there any fundamental difference between the solid David star I see and the outline of a hexagram in the flag? Sometimes I see a three dimensional magen David, with well articulated, intertwining triangles. Sometimes a plain hexagram like the flag of Israel. Is this just "decorative" or is there a deeper meaning to this? Thanks in advance and sorry for the ignorant questions,   Gyula  

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Ecclesiastical 1:9 declares what has been will be again; and there is no new thing under the sun. We are living in turbulent times filled with lust, greed, gluttony, and unimaginable violence. Could this be the "evil time spoken of in Amos 5:13 ? Therefore, the "prudent" shall keep "silence" in that time; for it is an " evil time." Who would be considered prudent today? Why are they warned to keep quiet? Your insight is invaluable.

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Recently, I heard a person teaching that the Passover lamb would have its feet anointed with oil six days before Passover. Then it’s head anointed with oil 2 days before Passover. They reference Exo 12. But the only thing I find in Exo 12 seams to contradict that idea. On the 10th of the month to pick and bring the lamb in, then on the 14th day is Passover. This would make it hard to anoint the lambs feet 6 days before Passover. Is there a tradition I do not know about or is there something in Lev. That speaks to this 6 days and 2 days before idea. I have never heard of anything like this.

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I have looking up all the holy days we are commanded to observe and I do not understand how to do them. For example, NUMBERS28:26-31 the feast of weeks, NUMBERS 29:1-6 a sacred occasion, NUMBERS 29:7-11 a sacred occasion, NUMBERS 29:12-39 a sacred occasion,a festival of the LORD. All of these holy days require certain sacrifices but only a Levite priest can offer sacrifices and only at the temple in Israel. How do I observe them. Also NUMBERS10:2-6 is the reference I found for the feast of trumpets but these verse never specifically refer to it as the feast of trumpets and only a Levite preist is allowed to blow the trumpets. So how can this command be observed. Also LEVITICUS 23:33-43 the feast of booth is never written on the jewish calender I have and neither is the feast of unleavened bread which is to be the day after passover.LEVITICUS23:4-8 and NUMBERS 28:16-25 .please help me understand.

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1 Kings 6:23-27 KJV - 23 And within the oracle he made two cherubims [of] olive tree, [each] ten cubits high. 24 And five cubits [was] the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other [were] ten cubits. 25 And the other cherub [was] ten cubits: both the cherubims [were] of one measure and one size. 26 The height of the one cherub [was] ten cubits, and so [was it] of the other cherub. 27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the [one] wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.   Trying to understand this correctly. According to this scripture these cherubim were in the Holy of Holies (?) in addition to the “Ark of the Covenant”.   two cherubim of wild olive wood, each 15 feet tall placed them in the inner sanctuary (assume this was the Holy of Holies?) The wingspan of each of the cherubim was 15 feet (Total wingspan of both 30 ft) He placed them side by side in the inner sanctuary of the Temple Their outspread wings reached from wall to wall their inner wings touched at the center of the room   NOTE: I realize a cubit varies due to historical changes of that measurement but not really that much. I used a royal cubit because it was stated it was typically used in ancient construction.   Using a “Royal Cubit” 19.8 to 20.6 for the height of each cherub = 19.8” X 10 Cubits = 198” divided 12 = 16 ½ Feet Tall Using a “Royal Cubit” 19.8 to 20.6 for one wing tip to tip of a cherub = 19.8” X 10 Cubits = 198” divided 12 = 16 ½ Feet X 2 cherubs = 33 feet wide for the wing span of both cherubs standing wing tip to wing tip   8 QUESTIONS???????? Do you agree these cherubim had to be approximately 16 ½ feet tall and both cherubs wings as they were standing side by side would be 33 ft?   If this is true wouldn’t these cherubs had to have been in the inner house in addition to the cherubs on the mercy seat of the “Ark of the Covenant”? I can’t imagine how the Ark of the Covenant could have been moved with cherubim of this size being part of it. How could the Jewish people been able to transport the “Ark of the Covenant” into battle marching (Jericho) or from place to place if the cherubim described here were on the Ark and not in addition to them in the inner room?   I “think” these cherubim had to be in the inner room in addition to the cherubim on “The Ark of the Covenant” but want your decision based on this scripture.   Is the inner room the Holy of Holies that was in the temple? I assume it is but want to be sure this is true.   1 Chronicles 28:18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.   Note: If the cherubim in 1 Kings 6:23-27 KJV above were in addition to the Ark their wings would have covered the ark of the covenant also.   Why in this passage are the cherubim referenced as the pattern of “the chariot of the cherubim”? Isn’t this totally different and separate from the pattern of the ark?   1 Kings 8:7 KJV - 7 For the cherubims spread forth [their] two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.   Note: Doesn’t this passage state the cherubim wings in 1 Kings 6:23-27 KJV spread their wings over the place of the ark?   Exodus 25:20 NKJV - 20 "And the cherubim shall stretch out [their] wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim [shall be] toward the mercy seat. Note: The cherubim for the mercy seat faced each other and were not stretched out wing tip to wing tip as the cherubim in 1 Kings 6:23-27 and this alone should prove that they are in addition to the pattern of the cherubim on the ark because they face in a different direction.