Were the Jews ever slaves? (moral, Moses, exodus, bible)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Jay

How would you distinguish between an "Israelite slave ... Jewish or not" and a West Semitic slave?

I don't think that 9/10P would. He's referring to an earlier argument in the thread that seemed to have hinged on the definition of "Jew" and was argued by Christians, not by Jews.

[EtuMalku]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

We Jews see it differently. But then, who are we to define ourselves? We're lucky if you allow us to exist.

I don't think you can be a jew and an atheist . . .

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by EtuMalku

I don't think you can be a jew and an atheist . . .

Wow, and I know so many. Are you saying they don't really exist?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by Jay

How would you distinguish between an "Israelite slave ... Jewish or not" and a West Semitic slave?

You wouldn't, since the Hebrews are a Western Semitic group (or is Northwest Semitic distinct from Western Semitic? I'm a bit out of my depth when it comes to the history and development of languages). However, within the larger umbrella of "Semitic" or "Western Semitic", there are a number of distinct cultures with their own traits that can be differentiated.

Originally Posted by lilithu

I don't think that 9/10P would. He's referring to an earlier argument in the thread that seemed to have hinged on the definition of "Jew" and was argued by Christians, not by Jews.

Yes, I was trying to speak to the response that sidestepped the point of the original question, i.e. the "Moses didn't lead the Jews out of Israel because there were no Jews yet" line of argument.

[Autodidact]

Originally Posted by EtuMalku

I don't think you can be a jew and an atheist . . .

Shows how much you know about it.

[Tau]

Originally Posted by Somkid

I have been doing some research about the Exodus from Egypt simply because a student asked the question "were the Jews ever salves in Egypt?" I personally never bought in to the "Exodus" but I assumed that there were slaves in Egypt of Jewish decent simply because Egypt had a few scrapes with them and they were know to take prisoners as slaves as did the Romans and even the Jews for that matter it was just a common practice in the day. Here are some web links I have been reading and I would like to know what you all think.

Secular Passover Haggadah

IF THE EXODUS DID NOT OCCUR, THERE IS NO JUDAISM

History of ancient Israel and Judah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They were also enslaved by the Babylonians, so yes, of course.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by EtuMalku

I don't think you can be a jew and an atheist . . .

Jewish atheist - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pay particular attention to the section entitled "Famous Jewish Atheists."

[EtuMalku]

from the Wiki article . . . Jewish ethnicity
Wow, have I been confused my entire life, being Jewish is a race?
I always thought it was a religion.
So you can be a Christian Jew? or even better a Muslim Jew?
Does this mean you can't be an African American Jew? No Caucasian Jews either now?

At the bottom of this Wiki entry is this link What Makes a Jew "Jewish"? - Jewish Identity

a short excerpt from this article reads . . . "Throughout our 3300-year history, what has defined us as Jews is a relationship and commitment. We are Jews because G-d chose us to be His "cherished treasure from all the nations..." notice the word God in there?