Religous Questions

[BillCarson436]

Hello...

Under the heading " chit chat..."

I have a question ( s ) for anyone reading who would like to respond.

Do people of Jewish Faith practice Tithing ?

Does the Jewish Ministery preach Tithing ?

I am familiar with this practive in Protestant churches and the Catholic
faiths but know little of what is doctrine ? in the Hebrew faith.

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[Wine Guys]

:D A tithe (from Old English teogoþa "tenth") is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a (usually) voluntary contribution or as a tax or levy, usually to support a Jewish or Christian religious organization. Today, tithes (or tithing) are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes could be paid in kind, such as agricultural products. Several European countries operate a formal process linked to the tax system allowing some churches to assess tithes.

Tithing also has a non-economic, juridical sense, that dates back to the Middle Ages. See Tithing (criminal law)

As A Zen Taoist... I "tithe" everyday... :D
eds...? Your thoughts on this?

[eds]

Tithing is not thought of the same as in the Christian faith. Christians give their money to the church to support it and further it. That is their tithe. It does not change them in the eyes of G-d, according to Christian belief. The church is free to distribute and use that money as it sees fit. Christians also give to charity as well but the emphasis is on freely giving, rather than being required for righteousness. Righteousness is only obtained through the acceptance of salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus preached that good deeds were not enough to save us.

For Jews, it is more of a commandment, a requirement to make the world a better place and to help those who are on hard times become self sufficient. The Hebrew word for it is tzedakah. Jews were required to give to the Temple priests to support them. Now that the Temple is destroyed, Jews give to charity instead. Or they give the money to synagogue to distribute to charity.

Some synagogues charge dues, per se. That money would be considered what the Christians call a tithe to the church. It is to support the work of the synagogue. Some accept that as giving to charity. Usually though, giving to charity and giving to synagogue are different things to support different causes.

In Judaism, is believed that one attains righteousness through good deeds. Giving to charity helps fulfill that attainment. This along with prayer and turning from evil ways ensures acceptance by G-d.

A bit off topic but FWIW I am a Hebrew Christian. That is to be differentiated from Messianic Jew in that a Hebrew Christian is a person born a Christian in that they accept Jesus but have turned from Christian practices and choose to practice Judaism while a Messianic Jew is a person born Jewish who has accepted Jesus. The two are similar in that they both adhere to Jewish custom and accept Jesus Christ as their savior. Its just a distinction of a starting point. Many in these groups only practice Jewish biblically mandated traditions denying traditionally Christian traditions such as Christmas and Easter. These organizations exist primarily because a Jew who accepts Jesus traditionally can no longer be a Jew and a Christian who practices Judaism is viewed as placing themselves under the Mosaic covenant by adhering to the Law which many Christians feel was abolished by Jesus. Adherence to the Law is viewed by many Christians as unnecessary and a yoke of oppression. It is viewed by some that placing this yoke upon yourself is somehow denying the gift of Christ. Hebrew Christians and Messianic Jews view this belief as incorrect and therefore are at odds with one of the tenets of Christian faith. They feels that they can both accept Christ and practice what they feel to be what a never-changing G-d wants them to do which is outlined in the Jewish faith.

Jews for Jesus is a Messianic Jewish organization that also practices evangelicalism, and the active conversion of Jews. I am against this practice and I do not agree with that practice at all. Those organizations only cloud and create poor perceptions of those of us like myself who have no wish to convert anyone against their will. Myself and others like myself wish only to better understand and practice the Jewish faith which both Jesus and his Disciples also practiced so that we may enhance our understanding of what Jesus fulfills. Many of us simply wish to avoid practicing traditions which we feel in the eyes of G-d are displeasing.

[Wine Guys]

:) Thanks eds!!
It’s too late and I am chatting with some friends…
But here is my thinking on all of this…
I DON”T mind paying taxes… And… I DON’T “tithe” to any one…
But if I did… I would want to have the ability to tell whoever I gave my money to, to spend it WHERE I Wanted them to!
I would really like to tell “Not My President” to spend my tax dollars on the EDUCATION… HOUSEING… MEDICAL… problems in MY Country…
And our Government should hold a “Bake Sale” to finance the purchase of a bomber… Or to finance a “WAR”
Just a thought…
And FWIW… I am a Zen / Taoist…
Night Brother!:)

[BillCarson436]

Hello...

Some churches still practice Tithing, the ACT of giving, becomes a personal
connection as a sacrifice, as opposed to " giving to support the church ".

It was mentioned once in my memory at my church ( Immanuel Lutheran )
but if ones faith in God is determined by giving on a biblical guideline, then
one has to expect a pretty dedicated church of faith based members.

I know that the Catholic Church mentions Tithing but I'm sure that the
" old world " Catholics, meaning European, are more inclined to give in
and by that fashion than the watered down version of doctrines in the
US.

In any case, I was wondering of the Jews of today - American or those
in Israel actually pay the tithe on their income.

As I understand it, it's TITHES.... and offerings, the Tithe being plural.

The first Tithe is on first 10 % of your wealth. ( Recognition that God
provides all of your income )

The second Tithe is 10 % of the rest ( the remaining 90 % )

First Fruits ( offerings ) are on the first of income derrived as a blessing
from God... ones first paycheck of the new year, the first if a lottery /
Casinio winnning... as well as 10 % of ones Income Tax Return - as it is
wealth that was deferred by the Government.

In closing... IF a christian COULD give freely of his income in order to
recieve a " blessing " in Eternity, in THIS manner... a worldly man would
call him a nut. If one could live on 80% of ones income, this would be
not crazy... but faithful.

So... my understanding of how one should tithe ( based on scripture ) is
somewhat different than what is acknowledged in the traditional christian
world... and I wonder if the Jews ( who I had hoped would answer this )
would adress.

PS... that scripture... " it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye
of a needle than a wealthy man to enter Heaven ..." it's a great point
to make in this context. A poor man is more willing to tithe than a rich
man, even though 10 % to a beggar represents the same as 10 % to a
Donald Trump. It think it's also why kids hate their parents when they
leave their money to the church. Like they will take care of it...lol




+

[eds]

I think I covered the Jewish perspective. What each Jew does at temple is private just like in church. Having attended both, I should know. But I get that a lot. Jews say I am not a pure Jew, a true Jew despite my grandfather being Jewish because I accepted Christ. And the Catholics cast me out for practicing Judiasm.
So my perspective and my words are moot.

Anyway... if you are willing to listen, the camel through the eye of the needle refers to an entrance way to the city. The camel had to stoop and the baggage be removed in order for the camel to fit. Jesus said to the one who asked how to get into heaven, to sell everything and live as a pauper which the man would not do. What Jesus meant about the eye of the needle has nothing to do with tithing as you had to remove all the baggage not just 10% of it.

Many give 10% and that's it. Who is better? He who serves or he who gives? Even as Jesus washed His disciples feet, you must be willing to serve at the lowest level to serve G-d with absolutely 100% of yourself and no reservations. G-d wants 100% not 10%. You need to get rid of everything in your life, put nothing before G-d. Not your wife, your father, or even yourself.

When Jesus said let the dead bury the dead, He meant that even burying the dead by sunset, which is the utmost rite in Judaism, must be put last. People who have nothing, have nothing to give up. People who have everything must loose everything to gain everything. He who is last shall be first. It is not about the castles and kingdoms we build here on Earth, but the relationship and faith we foster in Jesus and G-d and our total reliance upon them for our every need that will enable us to prosper.

So I say, the eye of the needle represent leaving everything you have behind and serving only G-d. Tithes and offerings were for the benefit of man so that man would not value so much everything he had and hoard it, protect it, and forget about what man must do. By giving some of it to those who need it helps those in need and helps us to remember who we work for and that what we have is not really ours but G-d's.

[BillCarson436]

Hello...

Ok, I can agree your points but unfortunatly, religon is
based on how one is taught and by who.

In any case... it's best this thread ..

is left to die...lol

[eds]

Religion is as it is taught until one seeks the truth for oneself.

[Wine Guys]

:D You are where you want to be...