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Q: Do the references to the Am Yisroel in tanach, which speak about their uniqueness in the world, refer only to observant Jews or to all Jews ?
A: The answer is that it refers to the Am Yisroel. The Am Yisroel however, is a specific term. It’s not a general term for all of the people who are technically Jews. The Gemara says that Am Yisroel means: עושה מעשה עמך – those Jews who behave like the Am Yisroel behaves. To be a part of the Am Yisroel means that you behave like the nation of Hashem is expected to behave.
Like Rabbeinu Sa’adya Gaon said: אין אומתינו אומה אלא בתורה – “We are bound together as a nation only by the Torah” (Sefer Emunos V’dayos 3:7). And when Moshe Rabbeinu wrote the Torah and he handed it to the people he said: היום הזה נהייתה לעם – “Today you became a people” (D’varim 27:9). Which means, without the Torah we’re not a people. So those Jews who are outside the Torah are not included in the Am Yisroel.
Now it doesn’t mean they’re not a Yisroel. ישראל אף על פי שחטא ישראל הוא – “A Jew who sins is still a Jew,” which means that he still remains responsible to fulfill everything and he’ll be punished for everything that he disregards. And also, if he repents he’s still a Jew. Or if, let’s say, an irreligious couple have a daughter and the daughter is a frum girl, so she’s a kasher bas Yisroel, because her parents are Yisroel. אף על פי שחטא ישראל הוא. But they don’t belong to the Am Yisroel unless they behave like a Yisroel. To be included in the Am Yisroel, a person has to be together with the Am Yisroel in keeping the Torah, and there are no two ways about that.
Rav Avigdor Miller, Tape # 200 (January 1977)
Mark Zuckerberg’s mother , Karen Kemptner, was jewish, therefore he is a Jew
Joseph, why do you care? Looking for a shidduch for a daughter?
With a last name like Zuckerberg, what do you ezpect? Both of his parents are Jewish. He married a non-Jew, therefore, his kids are not halachically Jewish.
And last time I checked, he converted to Buddhism a few years ago. But he’s a Jew nonetheless.
Reb Zuckerberg has more yiddeshe “followers” than any Rebbe in history… As the originator of “social medial”, he Guiness Book of Records lists him as hving been the “guest of honor” at more “Asifahs” than any other person in the hitory of “Assur the Internet” Asifahs.
Of course he is Jewish. Most of our generation are tinokim shenishba, but this doesn’t change who or what they are.
Mark is a very good person, and from mutual contacts, I understand that he is very sincere in his day to day life. He supports hospitals, education, and when he discovered animal cruelty issues, started only eating meat that he has personally purchased and slaughtered.
Over the last couple of years, Mark has started to get more in touch with his Jewish heritage, and we should encourage and welcome this step. I daven for his continued progress and success.
KetanahHador; That was a very funny comment about Zuckerberg being the guest of honor at the most assur the internet asifos. I guess if I laugh at Jackie Mason (Yakov Mazza) jokes I can laugh at yours as well. Please check your spelling before hitting the post button. By the way, my name is not Binyamin, it’s Benzion.
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