So well over a month ago, I got a question that is listed below about an “Ashkenazi Jew”. While the question is below, I would first like to say sorry about the massive delays. I have been very busy and now got a massive back log to go over 🙂

Shalom!! I would like to ask a question regarding as to why the Jews of Europe call themselves Ashkenazi. Thank You!

To start of with you need to first understand that the name Askenazi comes from a person called Ashkenaz. Within rabbinic literature, a kingdom called Ashkenaz was associated within Scythian and Slavic regions. Over time, that went onto being associated with Northern parts of Europe and Germany.

Over time, Jews that was living in those areas started to call themselves Ashkenazi. And it is basically as simple as that.

Always nice to get questions, and today I got one listed below.

I am reading a book called “Perfect Rigor” and there is this one sentence said by a character that I couldn’t really put on my hands on. He (a Jewish man) said: “It’s the shtetl dream…Learn the fiddle and play at weddings and funerals”. What could this sentence possibly mean?

Shtetl is a Yiddish word for a small town so basically the shtetl dream in relation to the rest of your question is the person basically wants to become a “big fish” in a small town and play at weddings and funerals. In other words, his dream is to play at many people’s weddings and funerals.

I would need to read the book to understand the context, but that is what I would answer this question as with the information at hand.

If anyone knows a beter answer, please do comment below.

Quick question and answer today. The question I was asked by a man is listed below.

I am thinking of converting to Judaism. I have already been circumcised so a circumcision would not be required. However, due to personal reasons I have big issues with displaying my genitals. Will anyone require proof of my procedure or will they take me at my word? Thanks!

The short answer is they do not need to take your word for it as they will require, if you are circumcised, to take a small drop of blood from your foreskin as a custom. So the answer is sadly if you convert to Judaism, you will very likely be required to do this so yes, they need to see your genital to do this.

However this is often done by professional doctors (well, normally anyhow) and they have seen just about everything before so if your will to convert to Judaism is very high, it may be worth the few minutes it will take.

That said, speak with your sponsoring Rabbi when you look into converting to Judaism – they will speak to you about it further and what needs or what not needs to be done.

First of all I would like to say sorry to my readers about the lack of updates, had major problems with the emails sending and currently sorting a new method out. Anyhows I got a question quite a while back asking about Mary’s father.

i know this is a strange question, and i am familiar with alot of your beliefs. I am an agnostic, i have not made a descision as to a religion. I have read both the old testament and the new testament and i would like to get a jewish interpretation of a question relating to the new testament. Please do not be offended that i ask of a question relating to jesus but i would really like a third parties perspective. Here is my question: Who is Mary’s Father (Mary being the mother of jesus)?

Well the biggest problem to this answer is simply the New Testament doesn’t state anywhere the name of Mary’s father however with the writings of the Gospel of James, Joachim is the name that seems to be linked to Mary’s father as long as you do not mind extra-biblical sources that is very hard to prove.

Due to restoring the website I have long lost the image I had here of Jesus’s family tree. Sadly I am unable to replace it.

Hopefully that does help answer questions but honestly I doubt this answer will ever come to light – there just doesn’t seem to be many recordings of Mary’s father anywhere beyond some “questionable” text. If you know any better sources, please do let me know it is a somewhat interesting question.

Now to answer my view of the question – no idea. From what I know about, I recall it isn’t said anywhere and I never seen any history sources saying otherwise and the name Joachim was used simply to fill in a gap that was not known. I also recall there is nothing or little known about Joachim life either so honestly, I couldn’t really answer this question well

The other day someone sent me a question which basically asking on how does he believe in G’d or for a better word – where does he fit in. Question below.

I believe that GOD is the only devine being but at the same time I believe that yeshua was loving towards the believers of God and laid his life down in the belief. I believe though that the only one to worship is God. So do I believe as a jew or a christian or is there just no place for me?

This is actually a commonly question I get asked a lot and the answer is technically not either. While you are able to convert to Judaism I do get the feeling within your post that this is not what you want to do.

There are many Jews that believes Yeshua (or for those reading that do not know, it is a original translation of the name Jesus) was just a person that was spending the word and love of G’d to the people of his era and I myself share this view.

However lets get back to answering your question. To Judaism what you are is known as a Goy (some people though have used this word as an insult over the years, so the world gentile tends to be use nowadays) and are bounded to what is called the Laws of Noah. I have already written another answer to a question much like yours and the answer will also cover what is best for you to do and where you are finally able to feel where you belong. Click here: How to worship G’d as a non Jew.