Orthodox Judaism/atheism

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Expert: Rabbi Ari Enkin - 11/3/2009


Question
Hello Rabbi
   My son has been dating a Reformed girl for the last year.  They were getting serious and discussed marriage.  This girl will not worship in an Orthodox synagogue so they go to her reformed synagogue.  She's Kosher and observes the holy days.  But she told my son that she is an atheist and she is only an ethnic Jew and that if they had children she would never let her children beleve in God.  On that subject they broke up.
    Can you help me understand holding onto being Jewish but not believing in God?

Answer
Dear Dan-

Thank you for your question. And to cut to the chase -- your son did the right thing to break it off.

The Jews are both a nation and a religion in one. A Jew who sins is still a Jew. In the case of this particular girl, if her mother is Jewish - she is Jewish regardless of what she believes or observes. It is completely saddening, however,that she rejects the absolute most fundamental principle of Judaism -- the belief in God.

Hope this helps!!

Rabbi Ari Enkin

Orthodox Judaism

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Rabbi Ari Enkin

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Specialization in Jewish Law and Customs

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Education/Credentials
Rabbi Ari N. Enkin originally from Montreal fulfilled his life-long dream of making aliyah in July 2004 after serving for seven years as a congregational and community rabbi in Montreal, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. Rabbi Enkin holds both Yoreh-Yoreh and Yadin-Yadin semichas as well as a Masters Degree specializing in Informal Adult Education. He is the author of several seforim including most recently "Dalet Amot - Halachic Perspectives" which discusses over 100 contemporary halachic issues. The first printing quickly sold out and a second revised edition is underway (Gefen Publishing House), as is a second volume in this series. Rabbi Enkin is also a frequent contributor to a number of publications on mostly Halachic topics. Since making Aliyah Rabbi Enkin has taught at a number of Yeshivot and Seminaries and is currently working as the manager of Cheerfully Changed Financial Services in Modiin. He also serves as the General Editor of the highly acclaimed Hirhurim Website as well as rabbinical advisor to Judaism.about.com. His lectures are known to be fun, informal, and enlightening appropriate form both laymen and scholars alike.

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