On Being Jewish

Understanding Jewish Identity & Tradition

What makes a person Jewish? Is Judaism a religion, ethnicity, or both?
Explore Jewish identity, traditions, movements, converts, and spiritual truth.

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In these studies, live classes, and services, John of AllFaith discusses 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.

Please Note: I have chosen to lay my two Jewish ordinations aside. Click Here for my reasons. From now on, you can always find me using my original internet handle: John of AllFaith.

Most of my presentations included YouTube videos however due to content of my teaching certain anti-free speech people conspired and sabotaged my page and YouTube cancelled my account and removed literally over a thousand of my videos without giving me a hearing on the matter. I am gradually removing the deleted videos from the site, but there are a LOT of them. This process will take a considerable amount of time (and may never be completed). Just ignore them. I now stream my Zoom videos through Rumble and invite you to join me there.

KNOW the Fifth Division of the Shulchan Aruch!

The Shulkhan Arukh is divided into four volumes:

  1. Orakh Hayyim - laws of prayer and of holidays
  2. Yoreh Deah - diverse laws, including those governing charity (tzedaka), Torah study and the Jewish dietary laws
  3. Even haEzer - laws concerning Jewish marriage and divorce
  4. Khoshen Mishpat - Jewish civil law

Once a student came to a prominent rabbi to be tested for ordination: The rabbi's first question was "Name the five volumes of the Shulkhan Arukh." Thinking that the rabbi had made a slip of the tongue, the student named the four volumes, but the rabbi asked him to name the fifth. "There is no fifth volume," the student said. "Common sense is the fifth volume. If you don't have it, all your rulings will be of no use, even if you know the other four volumes perfectly."

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).

The Jewish People

"How To" Information

Who is a Jew

Death and Dying

(Also see my Afterlife section)

Israel and Antisemitism

(Also see my Zionism section)

Tikun Olam

Jewish Scripture

Jewish Worship

(Also see my Holidays section)

Kashrut (Kosher Laws)

Please Note: Kashrut is a complex topic with myriad minhagim. This section is for general information only. Check with your rabbi to determine proper minhagim for your community.

Chassidut

The Song of Redemption: Sabba said:

This is an exceptional matter, rising above everything: 'Many are the daughters who did valiantly. Her mouth opens wisdom." When the one who reproves the Woman of Valor, she opens her mouth: Through this open mouth wisdom is revealed, and the teaching of kindness is upon her lips...

The teaching of Chesed, kindness is Na Nach! The world is built on kindness. There is kindness, there is truth, and this Truth rises above everything. He [Rabbeinu] himself is the Song. Kindness, there is kindness and there is kindness, but you surpassed them all [woman of Valor]. It is in the Petek: Na Nach Nachma Nachman me'uman. Yes. Rabbeinu himself is the Song. The Song will return the whole world to God....

And then all the scholars will annul themselves and be ashamed! Rabbeinu calls them 'celebrities of falsehood, wicked ones, the initials of 'Rebbe.' 'Rebbe' - there are rabbis of the wicked, rabbis who are wicked. The wicked are compared to darkness -- the initials spell 'Rebbe.' But listen to Na Nach Nachma Nachman me'uman.

What is Chassidut?

A. Chassidism is the Judaism-revolutionizing, Moshiach-bringing movement that swept across and overtook classical Judaism in the early-to-mid 1700s. It was founded by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov.

B. Chassidism is to Judaism what a second kidney is to the man who only has one, or what color is to black-and-white photography—an enhancement. An improvement. A dramatic betterment of the status quo.

C. Chassidism came to Jewry when Jewry couldn't have possibly needed it more. Like a doctor whispering a fainted man's name in his ears, the Nation of Israel, devastated by the Cossacks and the false messianism of Shabbatai Tzvi, received a wake-up call when G-d whispered "Israel Baal Shem Tov" into its collective ear.

During his lifetime, the Baal Shem Tov recorded an out-of-body experience in which he returned to Heaven to ask Moshiach when he would come. Moshiach responded: "When your wellsprings will spread out," meaning: when your teachings change the Jewish world. Chassidism is thus a cataclysmic, cosmic development, laying the groundwork for the arrival of Moshiach itself -- Rabbi Mendy Hecht

For more by Rabbi Mendy Hecht go here.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (April 4, 1772 - October 16, 1810, burial place: Uman, Ukraine) was a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. Rebbe Nachman was the founder of Breslov Chassidut. He was among the greatest Jewish sages and reformers of all time. I consider Rebbe Nachman to be my primary rebbe and spiritual guide.

The great wisdom of the Baal Shem Tov's Chassidut has been reinvigorated several times by inspired tzaddikim. Among these, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov combined the esoteric secrets of Judaism with serious Torah and Talmudic scholarship. He brought direct and intense love of the Eternal and his fellow Jews. In this work Rebbe Nachman followed in the footsteps of the Besht (i.e. the Baal Shem Tov).

Rebbe Nachman promised that his fire would continue to burn until the coming of HaMashiach and today its intensity is increasing throughout Israel and the Diaspora. Like Hasids generally, his followers are known for their ecstatic dancing and religious ecstasy, piety, and knowledge. Rebbe Nachman attracted thousands of followers during his short lifetime and far more since his passing. He taught:

The Misnagdim (opponents of the Chassidim) say that the main thing is to study Torah.
The Chassidim say the main thing is prayer.
But I say: Pray and study and pray -- Siach Sarfey Kodesh 1-87

Today there are hundreds of Chassidic dynasties or schools with roots reaching back to the Baal Shem Tov. Each of these contributes to the spreading forth of the Wisdom of the Besht. Among these is Breslov Der Alte Weg Chassidut.

Please note: AllFaith.com focuses on world religion including Judaism based on my quest for truth.

BeitEmunah is the home of our spiritual gatherings.

The views expressed on these sites are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of anyone else. Judaism, like all religions, is very diverse. In January 2025 I laid my two Rabbinic ordinations aside for reasons I am quite open about. Please refrain from making assumptions about me or my beliefs. I welcome your questions, thoughts and comments on the material contained in these domains. Get to know me and see what I do and believe before condemning me... or don't... haters are going to hate. I am unique in many ways. If you have any questions, comments, or corrections drop me a line or speak with me during after broadcast chat period on Zoom.

Chassidic Resources

Other Good Sites

This is the Day HaShem Has Made For Us!


Chassidic illustration
The Holocaust Chronicle

The Holocaust: Learn the Truth

About What Really Happened!

© John of AllFaith, June 08, 2014 (last updated July 24, 2026)

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