In these studies, live classes, and services, we consider what it means to be Jewish. What makes a person Jewish? What is a Jew? Does one have to be born of a Jewish mother to be Jewish? Is Judaism a race, a religion, or what? Are converts "really" Jewish? Is Judaism like a cult where everyone must agree? Is there a Jewish Pope? Why are there Jewish movements/denominations if God is one? Is one movement "more Jewish" than the others? What's the difference between Ashkenazi and Sphardi? Between Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism? What is Jewish Renewal? Who are the Karaite Jews? What are Chassidim (Hasidim)? Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? So many issues to examine as we await HaMashiach.
Who is a Jew?
Series: Who is a Jew?
Additional Studies
- The Origins of Rabbinic Judaism: An Overview — Rabbinic and Karaism
- Karaism
- The Ethiopian Jews
- The Jews of Butte County, California
- The Trefa Banquet: Judaism Divided: Birth of the Movements
- Orthodox or Liberal? Hillel or Shammai?
- Enough With The Infighting! Remember WHY The Second Temple Was Destroyed
- Women of the Wall — A few thoughts
- Do Women Matter According to the Bible?
- Jewish Uniqueness — Are Jews Uniquely Chosen?
- Why its so difficult to convert — There is a reason!
- Orthodox Views of Non-Orthodox Movements — Considering conversion? This is important to understand!
- Rambam's Letter to Obadiah the Proselyte
- Jewish Ordination: The Three Types Of Smicha
- Are You An Extremist?
The Jewish People
American Jews and Related Topics
- American Jewry is Disappearing — "Patrilineal descent and intermarriage are the problem, not the solution," by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg
- An Honest, Respectful Look at Reform Judaism by Diana Dubrawsky with thoughts by Rabbi Shlomo Nachman
- The Right Kind of Jew: Is there a "right way" to be a Jew?
- A Time to Stand: Chayei Sarah — A D'var Torah on Genesis 23:1−25:18
- Female Orthodox Rabbis: A Few Thoughts
Beliefs & Practices
Core Jewish Beliefs
- The Calendar HaShem the Jewish People
- Jewish Symbols
- Shema Israel (includes text and video version)
- Yetzer Tov and Yetzer Hara: The Impulses of Free Will (includes text and video version)
- The 613 Laws According to Rambam
- The 13 Principles of Judaism According to Rambam (includes text and video version)
- The Sacred Name: The Third Commandment (includes text and video version)
- Amalek is the Erev Rav and Nega Ra: Understanding and Overpowering Our Greatest Enemy (includes text and video version)
Jewish Service Guide
- Introduction to our Jewish Services: A participation guide
- The Morning Blessings: A wonderful way to begin your day! (includes text and video version)
- Modeh Anee: The exaltation of the awakening soul (music video)
- Clarifying Tehillim (Psalms) Chapter 22 (includes video)
- The Amida: Also known as the Shmoneh Esreh and as the Standing Prayer (includes video)
- The Shabbat Amida: Also known as the Tefilat Sheva or Prayer of Seven Blessings
- Havdallah: Separating Shabbat from the weekday. (includes text and video version)
- The Month of Elul: The Month of Repentance
- Putting On Tefillin — On Chabad Website (text)
- Putting On Tefillin — Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks (video YouTube)
Tikun Olam & Spiritual Growth
- Star of David: The Magan David and Seal of Solomon
- Baseless hate: Kamtza and Bar Kamtza — The Story of Tisha B'Av
- Teshuvah: Repentance
- Isaiah 7 in Context — An example of Divine Protection and the importance of Emunah (includes text and soon a video version)
- Emet: A Little Jewish Fire and Brimstone (includes text and video version)
- Origin of Evil and what you can do to stop it
- Choose Life so that you and your children may survive
- Why Adam? and Our Creation
- Leviticus 17:11: Does Blood Atone For sins?
- Kabbalah: A Few Thoughts
- The Source and Nature of Evil (includes text and video version)
- Does Tifilla (prayer) really matter — Prayer is critically important!
- Faith is the key — Emuna and the faith of our ancestors
- Tikun Olam
Death & Dying
(Also see my Afterlife section)
Israel & Antisemitism
(Also see my Zionism section)
- Maimonides: Islam Good, Christianity Bad, Muslims Bad, Christians Good. Blame Israel? No Way! (includes text and video version)
- The Five Principles of Jewish Defense: As Defined By The Jewish Defense League (includes text and video version)
- Anti-Zionist Jews: How can any Jew oppose Israel? (includes text and video version)
- Dear World: An open letter by Rabbi Meir Kahane, (November, 1988) (includes text and video version)
- A Time line of Eretz Israel
- Antisemitism In The USA And Around the Globe by The Numbers
- HaTikvah: Israel's National Anthem (includes text and music video with my photos)
- Zion and Zionism (includes text and video version)
- Judenhass — Foundation of Antisemitism (includes text, supporting videos, and video version)
- Jews on the Moon! — AKA May We Have The Moon Please? (includes text and video version)
- Parsha Devarim — From a JDL Point of View. (includes text and video versions), not politically correct!
- In on Cow Butts: The Sciatic Nerve
- The Holocaust: Learn the Truth About What Really Happened!
Live Weekly Broadcasts
Join us LIVE in Our Zoom Shul
Streaming Live through Rumble unless otherwise noted.
- 8-9 Sundays: AllHeart Community Chat (Zoom only)
- 12-1 PM Wednesdays: Derech Tanach — "Old Testament" discussions (Zoom only)
- 8-9 PM Thursdays: Weekly Parsha Study
Shabbat Services:
8 PM: Fridays
Noon: Saturdays
All times US Eastern
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© By Rabbi Shlomo Nachman, June 08, 2014 (last updated July 28, 2026)