Blog reader Celia (and two or three other folks) have asked: I am Jewish and I am also a pagan, so how exactly would I go about doing the stuff you talk about, being a Jewitch/Jewish witch/Jewish pagan?
Excellent question, and unfortunately, it's one I'm not in the least bit qualified to answer. I know even less about Judaism than I do about Christianity. However, one thing I do know is that there are a lot of resources out there for people of Jewish backgrounds who eventually find their way to Pagan or Wiccan spirituality. Here are some sources online that appear, to my non-Jewish eye, to have legitimately good information - be advised that some of them haven't been updated in a while, but they still seem to be pretty decent:
Excellent question, and unfortunately, it's one I'm not in the least bit qualified to answer. I know even less about Judaism than I do about Christianity. However, one thing I do know is that there are a lot of resources out there for people of Jewish backgrounds who eventually find their way to Pagan or Wiccan spirituality. Here are some sources online that appear, to my non-Jewish eye, to have legitimately good information - be advised that some of them haven't been updated in a while, but they still seem to be pretty decent:
- Jewitchery
- Essay: Why I Am A Canaanite Pagan
- Article: Jewish Paganism
- Editorial: On Being A Jewish Wiccan
Love that…Jewitchery. I’m going to read about it myself for my own knowledge. Have a blessed journey Celia and would love an update on your new discovery.
it really isn’t a new discovery Kitty.
It has been around for a long time, I am just now choosing to come out and say that I am a Jewitch or jewish Mystic.
Oh really, my apology for not knowing, thinking this is new for you Celia. Its definitely new for me. I’m glad you had came out otherwise I would have never known or heard of Jew Mystic. There are so many out there and yet I still know so little.
yeah well
it isn’t jew mystic it is Jewish Mystic they study the kabblah, do you have yahoomessenger or msn messenger it would be easier to talk to you thru that.
You know I was just reading the other articles on this sight and ran into one that “Jewish Mystic” is a person that made a comment. And it never dawned on me that I have seen the name come up several times. I’m slow
Well still glad the subject came up.
uh…do you mean Zion Mystic? or did i misunderstand what you said?
(if you mean me, why thank you! i’m not actually Jewish; “Zion” is in this online name of mine b/c of a church with the word “Zion” in it that was next to a little wood that i used as a sacred space. however, i am a Christian who studies Christian mysticism…and Jewish mysticism, and the Jewish roots of Christianity…as well as apparent connections between Christianity and pagan religions. that’s one reason i fairly often read and comment at this site.)
oops, i’m sorry! i just noticed that there *is* someone who posted here as “Jewish Mystic”…sorry, i have a big head and thought you were talking about me! *hides*
LOL….Zion..that’s okay. Still you have said some interesting things I’ve yet to hear of too. Like I said earlier I’m slow ,but I do want to learn more of Christian Mysticism (did I spell that right?) as well.
Unfortunately I don’t have any messenger on my computer Celia, but if patti will allow me to give her my email address to give to you I would be happy for you to email me some books on the subjects and sights to check out. Zion, that would be great too for some knowledge of your area.
well if you want you can go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judeo-Paganism
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jewitchery/
there are others but those can start you off. And all you have to do is google the word jewitch or jewish pagan and so on.
Thank you Celia. I also bookmarked the listing Patti has.
I can honestly say that I was totally suprised, stunned and yes, even a bit puzzled about this concept…..a Jewish Witch?? Holy mackrel…or would it be shalom?? LOL
I know that a Christian Witch is a very touchy subject in many “circles” but I for one am very accepting that you CAN merge the two together as long as you don’t think that the Bible is the be all and end all book. If you stop and think about it…it even SAYS “thou shalt not suffer a witch to live”. So how in the heck can you follow the book and practice Witchcraft? I think this is where many people have a hard time accepting the concept of Christian Witch. Thankfilly I am a very accepting person and love the fact that people can get past the stereotype on both sides and blend the two together.
I got this article from about.com and was knocked on my bootie with the term Jewitch. WOW Who would have thunk it? I am gonna have to check into this further and I’d very much like to thank the “Jewitch” posting this request because I honestly never would have thought about blending the two together.
Hugs!
Athena
Starhawk, she’s written many books on paganism and I think is the founder of the Reclaiming style of witchcraft, was originally jewish. She has great articles on how her jewish faith affects her pagan faith. http://www.starhawk.org is her website.
NEXT WEEKS HEADLINES…..
“Mormon Pagan;” church in shock!”
I can occasionally have a very warped sense-of-humor…..Just trying to add a little laughter.
Seriously, Celia – - Blessed journey!
hmm thanks for all of the postive feedback. but I am not sure if Briannan Moon understands that what the little bit of humour is a slap in the face to me, I am sorry but i guess me asking about Jewish paganism was a buit much huh, hmm and Starhawk was born jewish yes and was also drawn to paganism yes i have read that. What i am after is someone who understands that Juaism and paganism can go hand in hand, that all I do is incorprate my jewishness into pagainsm such as when hallween comes around i go and celebrate like everyone else but I also will light a candle for all the ones who have died in the past year, on beltaine i am going to celebrate that but in my own way
I was trying to see if someone could answer that if your jewish and a pagan or a jewitch yeah go ahead and jump on that look it up, what kind of tradition do they follow do they follow what celtic dianic or what?
perhaps one could answer that. Seeing as i am Jewish and a witch i prefer the term Jewish Mystic to jewitch i go along with the kabblah and some other things as well so I was wanting to know what if any tradidtion would i follow i was asked that and i wanted some others feedback for all i told the person was i follow not one tradition but many.
http://groups.msn.com/LadyMystsSacredCastle/judeopaganismorjewishpaganism.msnw
I am also a “Jewitch.” I was born and raised as a reform Jew, but decided in my adult life to merge my Jewish beliefs with my new found Wiccan beliefs. Though to the general public I still refer to myself as Jewish. It saves one from having to explain the whole thing.