# why do jews get a pass when it comes to racism? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 6, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370 "2011-04-06T06:35:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/261 "2011-04-15T20:41:25Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > You are missing out a word; The actual line is “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One”. > > Now, this ommission may seem minor, but in fact it demonstrates the whole point: it is a public proclamation of a community’s beliefs. > > Now, no doubt the original Jews never even considered atheism, because they lived in a world mostly composed of competing religions where atheists were a vanishingly tiny group. > > However, Judaism is a religion composed of rules, and exactly none of the “rules” require an inquisition into a person’s actual beliefs. > > You may find this bizzare and absurd, but them’s the rules. If you want to nitpick the rules like that, then your statement “it is a public proclamation of a community’s beliefs.” does not contradict you believing in Zeus. If you publicly proclaim that Zeus exists, you can still say that the community believes in the one god, and still be OK. Also, the second commandment says “Do not have any other gods before me”. So, as long as you put Zeus after God, and not before him, you are OK with that commandment also. If you want to nitpick the rules, I think someone believing in Zeus has as much evidence that they are religiously Jewish as someone who is an atheist. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/262 "2011-04-15T20:44:03Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > If you want to nitpick the rules, I think someone believing in Zeus has as much evidence that they are religiously Jewish as someone who is an atheist. Seriously, what part of “Jews determine who we grant membership to” is giving you problems here? Does the Loyal Order of Moose and Squirrel also need your input to grant membership? Jews have decided that believing in other gods and publicly converting to such faiths means you’re out of the club. That’s the rule. It’s just how it goes. Trying, as a gentile, to come up with Gotcha Ya! exclusions for why that shouldn’t be the rule are immaterial. That’s still the rule. What exactly are you hoping to achieve here? The millions of Jews who subscribe to certain views on Jews and Judaism will, all of a sudden, say “Wow, a guy on the internet doesn’t agree with how we define in-group membership. Let’s change.” ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/263 "2011-04-15T20:46:16Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > If you want to nitpick the rules like that, then your statement > “it is a public proclamation of a community’s beliefs.” > > does not contradict you believing in Zeus. I already said, Judaim isn’t concerned with what you believe privately. > [@](#): > > If you publicly proclaim that Zeus exists, you can still say that the community believes in the one god, and still be OK. > > Also, the second commandment says “Do not have any other gods before me”. So, as long as you put Zeus after God, and not before him, you are OK with that commandment also. > > If you want to nitpick the rules, I think someone believing in Zeus has as much evidence that they are religiously Jewish as someone who is an atheist. The public-Zeus proclaimer is caught by “thou shalt not have any other gods before me”, of course. As this has been interpreted, that means not publicly believing in other gods at all - even as minor demiurges or whatever. 😃 I am not “nitpicking” the rules, I’m explaining 'em. It is you who are attempting the IMHO impossible task of attempting to argue that Jews are wrong in the interpretation of their own religion! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/264 "2011-04-15T20:52:30Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > I already said, Judaim isn’t concerned with what you believe privately. > > The public-Zeus proclaimer is caught by “thou shalt not have any other gods before me”, of course. As this has been interpreted, that means not publicly believing in other gods at all - even as minor demiurges or whatever. 😃 > > I am not “nitpicking” the rules, I’m explaining 'em. It is you who are attempting the IMHO impossible task of attempting to argue that Jews are wrong in the interpretation of their own religion! If y’all need any help figuring out how to keep kosher, just ask me. I’ll google an answer for you. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/265 "2011-04-15T20:53:31Z")
The bottom line, to me at least, is that we’re talking about religion. It is sometimes contradictory in it’s own beliefs and inconsistent in practice. It is the result of thousands of years of analysis, debate and different factions finding their own way. Finding inconsistencies and yelling “aha, see you’re wrong” won’t change anything. We are telling you what the belief system is for most denominations of Judaism. It just is- we live it every day with the (literal) blessings of our communities. It’s an interesting theological debate and in two generations it will probably look different (Conservatives finally accepting patrilineal descent, for example), but it doesn’t change the realities that overt atheism is not inconsistent with religious Judaism. I just don’t believe there are enough believers of other Gods who want to practice Judaism just like people who believe in the Jewish G-D or believe in no God and get much from practicing Judaism fr me to care about the outcome of this silly debate. ETA: And for the record: If a Zeus believer self-identifies as being Jewish and wants to wholly follow the practices in Judaism and be a part of my community, they can sit by me. What do I care? ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/266 "2011-04-15T21:09:47Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > The public-Zeus proclaimer is caught by “thou shalt not have any other gods before me”, of course. As this has been interpreted, that means not publicly believing in other gods at all Interesting that publicly stating “God is one” has been interpreted as “the community believes that God exists and is one, and says nothing about my beliefs and whether I believe he exists or not” (i.e. Interpreted in the most literal sense of the phrase possible) and yet the statement “thou shalt not have any other gods before me” is not allowed to be interpreted in the most literal sense possible (which would allow someone to put some other god after God) > [@](#): > > I am not “nitpicking” the rules, I’m explaining 'em. It is you who are attempting the IMHO impossible task of attempting to argue that Jews are wrong in the interpretation of their own religion! Y’all can believe anything you want. But if I just wanted a straightforward explanation of Jewish religion, with no debate, this would have been in GQ, not in GD. As it is, if in GD we come across any religion that has contradictory rules/practices we are free to point out that they are contradictory, even if the people in that religion have accepted them for the past several centuries. This is done frequently here in GD with Christianity for example, and for a Christian to reply with “this is just what we believe in, it’s not up for debate”, would not make for a good GD discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/267 "2011-04-15T21:21:21Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > Interesting that publicly stating “God is one” has been interpreted as “the community believes that God exists and is one, and says nothing about my beliefs and whether I believe he exists or not” (i.e. Interpreted in the most literal sense of the phrase possible) and yet the statement “thou shalt not have any other gods before me” is not allowed to be interpreted in the most literal sense possible (which would allow someone to put some other god after God) Yes, it is interesting. So? > [@](#): > > Y’all can believe anything you want. But if I just wanted a straightforward explanation of Jewish religion, with no debate, this would have been in GQ, not in GD. > > As it is, if in GD we come across any religion that has contradictory rules/practices we are free to point out that they are contradictory, even if the people in that religion have accepted them for the past several centuries. This is done frequently here in GD with Christianity for example, and for a Christian to reply with “this is just what we believe in, it’s not up for debate”, would not make for a good GD discussion. The difference, I think, is that believing Christians are attempting to argue that their faith is _correct_. Obviously, what they hope for is to convince others of its correctness, as well. I’m simply telling you what the Jewish faith _is_. For some odd reason of your own, you are taking exception to this explaination. I’m not trying to convince anyone that Judaism is “correct” or to convert anyone to Judaism! For one, the rules discourage that … 😉 And in any event, this is all a digression from the “point”, which was alleged Jewish racism. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/268 "2011-04-15T23:54:21Z")
Well **Malthus** , part of the problem is that you often can’t get any two Jews to agree what the Jewish faith _is_, so explaining it to others can get a little dicey. Arguing about it is part of the tradition. I’ve always loved this story (odd [cite](http://dvar.org.il/js-magazine-articles/the-role-of-the-observer-in-halakhah-and-quantum-physics.htm) to find it in though): > [@](#): > > Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Eliezer were arguing a point of religious law. Rabbi Eliezer was unable to convince Rabbi Yehoshua of his point, and so he tried to convince him by using miracles. He said, “If I am right, let the stream run uphill.” And it did so. This, however, did not convince Rabbi Yehoshua. “If I am right, let the wall bend,” declared Rabbi Eliezer, and the wall indeed bent. Rabbi Yehoshua, however, remained unconvinced! So Rabbi Eliezer called upon Heaven itself to decide the matter. He said, “If I am right, let Heaven prove it.” Indeed, a voice came from Heaven and declared, “What do you want from Rabbi Eliezer? The ruling is always in accordance with his views.” At this point, Rabbi Yehoshua arose and quoted the Torah, saying, “It [the Torah] is not in Heaven.” By this he meant that it is man - not physical law or even Heaven - who decides spiritual reality. … At the end of the case with Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Eliezer describes previously, Elijah the Prophet is quoted as reporting that G-d was immensely pleased with man’s understanding of his role in determining religious reality, and that He even laughed with joy, saying, “My sons have bested me, my sons have bested me.” Thus on questions of halakhah and spiritual reality, the world, the Heavens, and G-d Himself all defer to man, though he be incomplete and limited. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/269 "2011-04-15T23:59:50Z")
Certainly Judaism’s leaders has not always tolerated that which they saw as atheism - remember that [Spinoza](http://www.myjewishlearning.com/beliefs/Theology/Thinkers_and_Thought/Jewish_Philosophy/Philosophies/Modern/Baruch_Spinoza.shtml) _was_ excommunicated. Even though some us believe that he was a great thinker in the Jewish tradition. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/270 "2011-04-16T02:16:26Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > … As it is, if in GD we come across any religion that has contradictory rules/practices we are free to point out that they are contradictory, even if the people in that religion have accepted them for the past several centuries. … Sorry to multi-post, but this was something I just had to respond to … the thing is that there won’t be much of a debate. PROPOSITION: Judaism has within its umbrella rules, practices, interpretations, and positions that are mutually contradictory. Anyone want to take the contra position? It’s probably one of the few things that could be said about Judaism that most Jews wouldn’t argue between themselves about. Anyway - nice to see that a bit of a goofy op turned into an interesting discussion. No it is not racist, or even bigoted, for a member of a minority culture to be concerned about the preservation of his/her culture and to be aware that marrying someone of that culture makes it easier to pass on that culture’s identity, values, and traditions. That said, not too many American Jews are really [all that](http://judaism.about.com/od/interfaithfamilies/Intermarriage_and_Interfaith_Families.htm) concerned about it, since “over 50% of American Jews today marry non-Jews.” And honestly, of the 50% that do marry within the faith many do based more on the fact they have some shared background and values and understand some of the same cultural references, than out of any conscious choice to marry within the group. My wife had no intention to look for a Jewish boy to marry. She wanted to marry someone who shared her values and she happened to find that, to no great surprise, in someone of a similar cultural background. To the op - again 50% of Jews marry outside their religiously identified group. What percent of Christians do? For the Christian true believer this verse probably informs: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, NIV). Why do the born again get a pass when it comes to such racism? 😉 BTW, I understand as well that [Catholics marrying](http://en.allexperts.com/q/Catholics-955/Catholic-Protestant-marriage-outside.htm) [non-Catholic Christians](http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column.php?n=378), outside the Church, without dispensation, are not considered married by the Church. Is that racism too? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/271 "2011-04-16T02:37:10Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > This is hilarious. The first item on the page is > > **1. To know that G-d exists** > > How can anyone who publicly proclaims to be an atheist also claim to follow the 613 mitzvot, when the first one contradicts their public proclamation that they don’t believe in God? Who said I follow the 613 mitzvot? I roll on Shabbos. Also, when citing me, please provide the full quote. I said: > [@](#): > > Obviously you can pull from this list things that seem elitist, unfair, sexist, or what have you, but I’m showing just a small handful of the 613 to show that Jewish law has more to do with Jewish people than with God. To do mitzvot is honoring God. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/272 "2011-04-16T02:55:48Z")
_We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are._ > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Too bad, because that’s the reality of the future. The Jews are dwindling in number, due to intermarriage and abandoning of the religion, and I suspect that most of the Jews who are doing this are doing it because they were raised by parents like mine. > > The only Jews who are growing in their numbers are Orthodox Jews. Whether it’s in America or in Israel, the Orthodox have high birth rates. :dubious: This argument was made in the 1800s. Like I said, the Orthodox are rather useful in reminding the rest of us what happens when we disregard our heritage. I totally support the local yeshivas. 😉 We wouldn’t exist without the Orthodox. We wouldn’t exist without the Reform. Judaism _needs_ branches just like any other nation. Finding what makes us all “Jewish” is something that Jews need to figure out amongst themselves. It’s not really anyone’s concern but ours. also: to the Zeus-er: We are commanded to remember that God brought us out of Egypt and have no other Gods but Him but nowhere does it say that we must believe in Him. This isn’t Christianity. Belief in God isn’t required for … well, anything. I’m going to bet that if there’s an afterlife, Baruch Spinoza and Hillel will dine at the same table. Sounds contradictory, but so is the rule against chicken and cheese sandwiches. If you ask me, _not_ believing in God and being observant (to whatever degree) requires a bit of chutzpah. That’s putting your faith in the Jewish people. Humanity has been known to fail us. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/273 "2011-04-16T03:05:14Z")
okay, sorry for the extra post, but I just asked my son what God tells him to do. “He tells us to eat challah.” _No, that’s tradition._ “He tells us to not eat chometz on Passover.” _No, that’s just how we celebrate it._ “I don’t know what God says.” _Think._ (pause) “Well…he tells us to shave off some of the skin from little boy’s penises.” _…_ ROFLCOPTER! “And! And He told Moses to go get the Jews out.” I should start having more theology discussions with my six year old. :o ---
**Author:** ![SecondJudith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@SecondJudith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecondJudith)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/274 "2011-04-16T15:42:23Z")
Although several people have addressed it already, I think it’s worth mentioning that affirming the oneness of god doesn’t mean affirming the existence of god. God = _echad_ doesn’t mean god = is. I may have told this joke on the SDMB before, but I think it illustrates the way this works: A Reform Jewish child comes home from playing with her friends. “Daddy!” she says. “My friend Peter says God is three: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Is that true?” Her father slams his fist on the coffee table and says, “Dammit, Rachel! There’s only one God and we don’t believe in her!” ie you don’t have to believe something is real to define and argue about its properties, as the Shma does. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/275 "2011-04-16T16:12:08Z")
> [@SecondJudith](#): > > Although several people have addressed it already, I think it’s worth mentioning that affirming the oneness of god doesn’t mean affirming the existence of god. God = _echad_ doesn’t mean god = is. > > I may have told this joke on the SDMB before, but I think it illustrates the way this works: A Reform Jewish child comes home from playing with her friends. “Daddy!” she says. “My friend Peter says God is three: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Is that true?” Her father slams his fist on the coffee table and says, “Dammit, Rachel! There’s only one God and we don’t believe in her!” > > ie you don’t have to believe something is real to define and argue about its properties, as the Shma does. This joke, I like! ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/276 "2011-04-16T18:54:14Z")
> [@SecondJudith](#): > > ie you don’t have to believe something is real to define and argue about its properties, as the Shma does. Thank you, Judith! I tried to explain this concept to my son the other day and [noted](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=604116&page=2) it in the presidents/religion thread. You do a much better job! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/277 "2011-04-17T01:27:19Z")
> [@SecondJudith](#): > > Although several people have addressed it already, I think it’s worth mentioning that affirming the oneness of god doesn’t mean affirming the existence of god. God = _echad_ doesn’t mean god = is. . No. Just…no! This is absolutely ridiculous. I can’t believe I’m reading this. I’m glad you people enjoy your little made-up logic game that you’re using as a substitute for religion. But I still think you are wrong as hell. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/278 "2011-04-17T01:36:58Z")
The five pillars of faith of Islam include affirming that G-d exists. The creed (apostolic creed? Nicene creed? I don’t remember right now) of Christianity includes affirming that G-d exists and that Jesus is His son. NONE, not one, of the 613 commandments in Judaism requires affirming that G-d exists or requires Jews to believe in anything. The commandments require us to _do_ things- rest on the seventh day, give to charity, etc. They require us to _not do_ things- no eating pork, no adultery etc. The commandments do not requires us to believe or think anything. Last time I checked with Maimonides and Rashi, an atheist who gives to charity and rests on the sabbath is a better Jew than one who believes in G-d but is not observant. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/279 "2011-04-17T04:09:15Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > The five pillars of faith of Islam include affirming that G-d exists. The creed (apostolic creed? Nicene creed? I don’t remember right now) of Christianity includes affirming that G-d exists and that Jesus is His son. NONE, not one, of the 613 commandments in Judaism requires affirming that G-d exists or requires Jews to believe in anything. So only Gentiles are commanded to believe in God? 😛 The Noachide Laws: 1. _Shefichat Damim_: Murder is forbidden: The life of a human being, formed in God’s image, is sacred. 2. _Gezel_: Theft is forbidden. The world is not ours to do as we please. 3. _Gilui Arayot_: Incestuous and adulterous relations are forbidden. Human beings are not sexual objects, nor is pleasure the ultimate goal of life. 4. _Ever Min HaChay_: Eating the flesh of a living animal is forbidden. This teaches us to be sensitive to cruelty to animals. (This was commanded to Noah for the first time along with the permission of eating meat. Genesis 9:1-17. The other six laws are considered to have been imposed at the Garden of Eden, but they are Noachide because with this law they are complete.) **5. _Avodah Zarah_: Idolatry is forbidden: Man is commanded to believe in the One God alone and worship only God.** **6. _Birchat HaShem_: Cursing the name of God is forbidden. Besides honoring and respecting God, we learn from this precept that our speech must be sanctified, as that is the distinctive sign which separated man from the animals.** From these derive one positive category of laws: 1. _Dinim_: Mankind is commanded to establish courts of justice and a just social order to enforce the first six laws and enact any other useful laws or customs. > [@DocCathode](#): > > Last time I checked with Maimonides and Rashi, an atheist who gives to charity and rests on the sabbath is a better Jew than one who believes in G-d but is not observant. Karl Rahner, among others, has made the same point regarding the “unconscious Christian,” meaning not that such a person is “really” a Christian, but that such a person is really doing the will of God. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370/280 "2011-04-17T04:16:29Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > So only Gentiles are commanded to believe in God? 😛 > > **5. _Avodah Zarah_: Idolatry is forbidden: Man is commanded to believe in the One God alone and worship only God.** > **6. _Birchat HaShem_: Cursing the name of God is forbidden. Besides honoring and respecting God, we learn from this precept that our speech must be sanctified, as that is the distinctive sign which separated man from the animals.** These are usually translated as “Not to deny G-d” and “Not to blaspheme G-d” I’d say there’s definitely some extrapolation going on in the translation you cited. I’d argue that the translations “No worshiping idols” and “No taking G-d’s name in vain” are both commandments of action rather than belief. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-jews-get-a-pass-when-it-comes-to-racism/577370.md?page=15)