Weird. There's nothing inherent in Judaism against Egypt or Egyptians. The only issue for me is safety, both as a Jew and as an Israeli. Back before the revolution, Egypt was a popular vacation spot for young Israelis, particularly the beaches of the Sinai. Rabbis like to make cynical jokes about Israelis vacationing in Egypt during the Passover holiday (the one commemorating our freedom from slavery in Egypt...), but there's no actual issue with physically being there or interacting with modern Egyptians (who have nothing whatsoever to do with the Egyptians of the Bible, and even if they did it wouldn't be a problem; King Solomon, for one, had a great relationship with Egypt during his reign). I'm curious what they were quoting at you...
Also, I don't know what kind of Judaism your family members practice, but many of the rules in the Torah that apply to Jews don't apply to non-Jews. Jews have 613 commandments to follow. Non-Jews are only required to follow the Seven Noahide Laws according to the Torah, making us the only major religion that does not actively encourage conversion and in fact makes it purposely difficult. (That is, at least in Orthodoxy...) We believe the other nations have their own purpose and mission in the world.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 14 May 2012 03:52 am (UTC)Also, I don't know what kind of Judaism your family members practice, but many of the rules in the Torah that apply to Jews don't apply to non-Jews. Jews have 613 commandments to follow. Non-Jews are only required to follow the Seven Noahide Laws according to the Torah, making us the only major religion that does not actively encourage conversion and in fact makes it purposely difficult. (That is, at least in Orthodoxy...) We believe the other nations have their own purpose and mission in the world.
~D