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Life isn't easy as a Jewish alternative writer. The world of alternative literature is swarming with all type of people who aren't fond of anything Jewish- particularly the Jewish religion.

But that is where I come in. You see, I am not only a Jewish alternative writer and thinker- I also consider myself an observant Jew- in that I observe the sanctity of the Shabbat day (no work, travel, TV or getting drunk/stoned) and Judaism's dietary laws. While no Rabbi, I learn as much as I can- from Jewish texts such as the Talmud, the Mishnah, and Pirke Avot. I make it my business to study these texts- to learn what they are saying- and what others generations before I came into the world before the late 1950s thought about the same issues. My connection to Judaism and to these texts are not based on "conspiracy theories about Jews or Judaism" but rather- the authors of the texts- and how they have been interpreted throughout the past 2000 years. Unlike many of the alternative writers out there who like to pontificate about how evil Torah Judaism is- I live it and can read the texts and literature they are based on.

I doubt whether even one of my non-Jewish fellow alternative writers and thinkers who call Torah and Talmud "vile" and "evil" have ever actually studied these texts. Have any of you? So how come so many of you (and believe me, no need for names, everyone who publishes essays and commentaries on the Internet on these subjects know who they are and everyone who doesn't knows who they are as well) take the view that Torah Judaism is evil, that "Pharisees" are running this "Torah/Talmud conspiracy" and that for that reason- Judaism (what they call, "Pharisee Judaism) is a product of the Devil?

To this day, I can't figure out what these people are looking at when they point a finger at Torah and Talmud. I read these texts- and know what is in them- just like any other learned Jew. So who are they trying to fool?

Everyone it seems- yet they will have trouble convincing me of the veracity of their claims. I live in the world of thought and literature they are condemning. Some of my closest companions in this world are Jews who dress in black, have sideburns, and would be called, "Pharisee Jews", or "Talmudic Jews". Yes somehow I am supposed to believe that these people are practicing some sort of diabolical, satanic belief system which "Pharisee/Talmudic Judaism" teaches.

Tell me, if so, do Yossi and Yithzak, my two learning partners in the Yeshiva (Jewish seminary) that I attend classes at, know they are practicing a "satanic theology" or are they part of this Jewish conspiracy by "Talmudic Jews" to keep the Gentiles enslaved? Which is it? Are the million or so religious Jews in the world all ignorant as to what they are studying- or are all of us part of the grand conspiracy? Are we all following a "satanic, Talmudic/Pharisee" religion- and yet don't realize it? Or do we and are therefore are consciously all part of this gigantic "Talmudic conspiracy" to "enslave the Gentile world?"

Another big problem I have is that many alternative researchers and thinkers who publish essays and commentaries on the Internet are Christians or Hebrew Christians- Jews who have converted to Christianity. At every opportunity- these people try and convince me how wrong I am for not adopting Christianity and admitting that Judaism is "Talmudic" and therefore- evil.

They try and convince me that I am making a big mistake by not acknowledging Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, and if I refuse, they tell me things such as, "I am being manipulated by Pharisee Jews" or that I was "blinding my self to the evil of the Talmud and "Pharisee Jews."

Let it be known that this Jew is sick and tired of hearing from Christians and Hebrew Christians how horrible Judaism is, and how I need to become a Christian- just so that I can be "fulfilled". The religion that I follow is very fulfilling- spiritually- and in many other ways and I wouldn't trade it in for a million bucks. I have studied the basic philosophy behind Christianity and I simply don't buy into the story. As far as religions go- it is quite superficial. If I was going to trade in my religion- I would trade it in for Islam before I would Christianity. I have taken the time to learn what Christianity is and have rejected it. Have you taken the time and trouble to learn what authentic Judaism is and what its basic philosophical and theological premises are? If you did- you would see the same thing I do: knowledge, morals, ethics, and answers to the big questions of the universe and man's role in it. Not "satan worship".

If any Christian or Hebrew Christian would like to carry on a meaningful dialogue with this Jew on Judaism- and what Judaism stands for- I welcome it with open arms and encourage you to engage in a sincere debate. Judaism allows for those who don't become Jews to abide by the Noahide laws. Does Christianity do the same?

However this debate and dialogue must be done with respect for the beliefs of my religion- and not distain for it. If you want to know how Judaism differs from Christianity- and why the vast majority of religious Jews are not at all attracted to Christianity (I never met a religious Jews who converted to Christianity) then you will have to listen with an open mind. Judaism has a much different theological basis than Christianity- and from my perspective- a much deeper one- philosophically as well. Religious Jews don't accept Jesus as their Messiah for good reasons- not because they have been "tricked by their rabbis" or because they are "blind to the truth" or any other rhetorical nonsense Christians love to tell Jews. The reason is that religious Jews simply don't find Christianity a compelling enough religion to cast off their Jewish beliefs and adopt Christian ones.

While this may be hard for some Christians to accept- if you want to understand the reasons why us Jews aren't enthralled by your religion- you better start closing your mouths and opening your ears and listen to your reasons. If not, don't expect many of us religious Jews to buy into your claims about "Jesus being the Jewish Messiah" or that we have to abandon a religion we are perfectly happy with- because you are telling us, "You know better".

If your arguments are not backed up by convincing proof as to why a Jew should convert to Christianity- don't expect many of us to do so. And when we don't- try to understand that the reason why we don't is that you haven't argued your case very well.

If you would like to convince this Jew why he should become a Christian- my email address is isratech@netvision.net.il