Solomon Schechter Quotes

I am tolerably ignorant about Judaism, and much of what I do know about it seems hard to swallow, because it is so grounded in legalism, and adherence to rituals.

I will decide who is a Jew!

We are committed to raising our children as Jews. I knew that it had to start with me at a greater level, at a deeper level, if it was going to be a meaningful example to them.

Jews seek to cleave to the will of God as set forth in the Bible and, particularly, the Pentateuch, with its rabbinic commentaries, the Mishnah and Talmud.

In Judaism, there are 613 biblical commandments, and the Talmud says that the chief commandment of all is study.

I never felt like a good Jew. My mother was not Jewish, and that makes me a non-Jew according to Jewish religious law.

Jewish status is defined by the divine election of Israel and his descendants. One does not become a Jew by one's own volition.

I do not have faith in the Supreme Court because of all of its rulings against Jewish tradition and against religion. The Supreme Court upheld Reform conversion and gave a permit to opening shops where pork is sold.

I went to Hebrew school but opted out of a bar mitzvah.

To have knowledge of Judaism and to be a religious Jew or an interested Jew, is to have a doorway into a worldview that is entirely alien to the rest of the world's worldview.

My brothers were rabbis. My grandfather was a rabbi.

In terms of my religious preference, if a year goes by and I don't have a Seder or I don't light the menorah, I feel a loss.

Historically, Jews only accept converts rather than actively seeking them.

I feel very privileged indeed to be appointed to be the next Chief Rabbi.

I believe in Judaism, I was raised a Jew, I'm happy to be one - or proud to be one.

A traditional rabbi is the man to whom the community and its members turn to rule on what Jewish law requires of them, particularly in cases of doubt.

The religious doctrine of traditional Judaism entails the acceptance of the nationhood of the Jewish people and the everlasting sanctity of the Land of Israel for them.

We Jews have a special attachment to the Book. The study of page after page in tomes yellowing with age was obligatory.

The beauty of Judaism is that it demands we ask questions, especially of ourselves.

I was raised Jewish and bar mitzvahed.

Judaism lives not in an abstract creed, but in its institutions.

The observant Jew has his own sense of values. Torah Judaism is his blueprint for this life, his target for existence.

When my children were born, I made the choice I wanted them to be raised as Jews and to have a Jewish education.

I would convert to Judaism if the operation didn't hurt so much.

There is something very very special, universal and easily identifiable among all Jews; it is beyond territory, it is something we all have in common.