Little confused...Are Jews allowed to drink alcohol or is it a sin?

rosends said:

I don't know which picture is labeled that way but if it refers to a group claiming descent from one of the lost tribes, then it would be coming from the kingdom of Israel and not from the kingdom of Judah.

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The third picture.

I dont know about your "If" statement. Not relevant to me.

Thanks.

firedragon said:

Let me put a small nuance for you to consider. Maybe later.

One of the images (Nice images by the way), it says "Ya Bani Israela" or children of Israel. But the Qur'an calls Jews by the word Yahudh. Have you noticed that difference?

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Makes sense given that at the time frame that the Koran in that section is discussing only 1/12 of the Israeli people of that time would have been Banei Yehudah ben-Ya'aqov/Yisrael (اليهود).

The below video explains how the Yehudi/Jew came to be used.

Ehav4Ever said:

Banei Yehudah ben-Ya'aqov/Yisrael (اليهود).

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The arabic word there is Al Yahoodh. Means "Jew".

Baney Yehudha would be Bani Yahoodh which is not used in the Qur'an.

But you made an interesting point about the word Jew coming to usage. I will watch that video.

firedragon said:

The arabic word there is Al Yahoodh. Means "Jew".

Baney Yehudha would be Bani Yahoodh which is not used in the Qur'an.

But you made an interesting point about the word Jew coming to usage. I will watch that video.

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Yes, I know. I was letting you know, that for Hebrew speakers, the connections between the words are synonomous in modern talk. I.e. the term (בני ישראל) Benei Yisrael describes, what you would call in Arabic Al Yahoodh, and also 11 other Israeli ethnic groups/tribes who were dispered in a) in the nations and b) into the region of Yehudah. Because Al Yehoodh survived as an identifiable and Torah based group while our brothers from the tribes did not we are all known as Yehudim/Jews.

During the time of Mosheh ben-Amram none of the Israeli tribes had a land allotment yet. The land allotments were named after each one of Ya'aqov/Yisrael ben-Yitzhhaq's sons. So, Benei Yisrael was the common national term but each tribe had a regional title. The video explains the rest.

Ehav4Ever said:

Yes, I know. I was letting you know, that for Hebrew speakers, the connections between the words are synonomous in modern talk. I.e. the term (בני ישראל) Benei Yisrael describes, what you would call in Arabic Al Yahoodh, and also 11 other Israeli ethnic groups/tribes who were dispered in a) in the nations and b) into the region of Yehudah. Because Al Yehoodh survived as an identifiable and Torah based group while our brothers from the tribes did not we are all known as Yehudim/Jews.

During the time of Mosheh ben-Amram none of the Israeli tribes had a land allotment yet. The land allotments were named after each one of Ya'aqov/Yisrael ben-Yitzhhaq's sons. So, Benei Yisrael was the common national term but each tribe had a regional title. The video explains the rest.

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Oh okay. Thank you.

MyM said:

oops lol sorry yes that's the one just tryin to understand the blessing part of something that damages the mind.

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Ha ha. good question, but a rather simple answer

The blessing is not for the wine, rather the opportunity to drink it with a cause.
Its a Mitzva, only in specific occasions.

Purim, is one of the most special ones. as it celebrates the prevention of anhelation of the Jewish people. the "Mitzva", is not really to "lose your mind", rather "have a ball".
That said, a much more important rule is staying safe and care for yourself. So one needs to act some sense before acting foolishly.
This "Mizva", is much more restricting and complex than just "get drunk". I can elaborate if you wish.

On Passover, only 4 glasses are "blessed". but they are much more meaningful than those in Purim... those are to celebrate the emergence of the "Israel" people.
In sabbath, it is only a blessing to take a small amount. Most, obviously, drink more

That said,
We do not "bless" the wine like you think. the wine doesn't become holy, rather "unique" (קדוש).
The Jewish religion doesn't "apply" powers to items, rather apply "powers" to your inner self.
When you "bless" the wine, you actually thank God for the opportunity, to drink this wine.
The wine itself, have no other "spiritual" benefits to the person.

The "Bracha" (of קידוש [making the occasion unique]), is actually "limiting" the drinking to only occur in unique events and not a day to day basis.

If you ask me (although I rarely "bless" food or drinks), every person should be thankful for the fact they have the privilege, to eat or drink.
They should be thankful to the people that work to produce it (who often are being abused into labor), to those who deliver it to a place near you, to those who wrap it so it will be easier for you to carry.
You should without a doubt be thankful to nature, that even though we try as hard as we can to prevent it, still provides us with fertile and living lands.
For me (when I do "bless"), it is much easier to thank the entirety of all by referring to it as God... you know.. like "thank you, god, that I can literally now, go and grab a bite." ( which I without a doubt will )
Maybe if more would "bless" their foods and drinks, much less people will have to pray for having it.

MyM said:

I just assumed since I grew up a Christian and in that faith I grew up in I was taught alcohol was forbidden.

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I have known fundamentalist Christians, such as Baptists, who teach that it is a sin to drink alcohol. But in truth this belief is the minority belief in Christianity. It has its roots in the fundamentalist holiness movement that began in the 1800s and reached its peak with the publication of "The Fundamentals," a group of ninety essays published between 1910 and 1915. There was a large teetotaler movement in the United States at that time, which ultimately resulted in the passage of Prohibition. The morals of the the holiness movement included such things as not drinking, not smoking, not gambling, and keeping the Sabbath (on Sunday). However, this was always a minority movement in Christianity. For example, most Christians have always used wine for communion.

firedragon said:

The arabic word there is Al Yahoodh. Means "Jew".

Baney Yehudha would be Bani Yahoodh which is not used in the Qur'an.

But you made an interesting point about the word Jew coming to usage. I will watch that video.

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B'nei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) are also known as the Yehudim (Jews). It comes from the period of time that the Kingdom of Judah was taken into captivity, and all its citizens, regardless of tribe, were called Jews by the Babylonians. The Kingdom of Judah was primarliy the tribes of Levi, Judah, and Benjamin, but also there were refugees that had fled south when the Northern Kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians. Thus, members from ALL the tribes were citizens of the Kingdom of Judah, and thus called Jews.

MyM said:

Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

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You do realize that you can drink and not get drunk, eh?

You should also note that the above verse is from the New Testament, which is not scripture for Jews.

MyM said:

I understand that...but Leviticus is in the OT

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The verse from Leviticus refers only to specific people (the priests) and only at a specific time and place. It does not forbid the drinking of alcohol or even getting drunk.

MyM said:

was just wondering ...because being brought up in the faith that I had, and then seeing things in the OT and NT was contradictory to me. I did and then I didn't but when I did, I repented feelin sooooo guilty. Now, in Islam, no feeling of guilt whatsoever That's good enough for me

When one has a clear mind, one can worship how one is supposed to.

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Remember that the Bible is not one book, but a collection of books written by disparate authors who do not always agree with each other.

IndigoChild5559 said:

B'nei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) are also known as the Yehudim (Jews). It comes from the period of time that the Kingdom of Judah was taken into captivity, and all its citizens, regardless of tribe, were called Jews by the Babylonians. The Kingdom of Judah was primarliy the tribes of Levi, Judah, and Benjamin, but also there were refugees that had fled south when the Northern Kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians. Thus, members from ALL the tribes were citizens of the Kingdom of Judah, and thus called Jews.

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Thanks for that. But that is not from the Quranic point of view. I respect you theological point of view.