We don't need to change light bulbs because "the lamp is the mitzva and the light it shines is the Torah!" ;o)

Michael M. | January 24, 2008 10:35 AM

1. We don't actually change the lightbulb. Rather, the new lightbulb is actually the old lightbulb RENEWED.

2. Just one to change the bulb, but not before explaining its messianic significance, that it teaches us how Yeshua is the Light of the World.

Aaron Eby | January 24, 2008 10:53 AM

1 - It all depends on what day the lightbulb burned out to determine when it will get done though. Also, do we know who's translation determining the method of changing a lightbulb we will be using.....lol.

JAY | January 24, 2008 11:14 AM

lol the Unitarian one was so funny it had tears in my eyes......ahem ok...

so now on to the Messianic Movements Lightbulb statement....

"It only takes one messianic to change a lightbulb...any other questions and I would like to reference Isaiah 8:20..."

Danny Fluker Jr. | January 24, 2008 12:31 PM

Rabbi Hillel taught, "If I am not for myself who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?"

From this teaching we can glean that the proper rabbinic standard is not only that we should change our light bulbs for ourselves, but that we should also be changing the light bulbs of others. The Rabbi goes on to further explain that we should not wait until the light bulbs go out, but that the bulbs should simply be changed...When? Now!

Rabbi Shammai supports this interpretation when he writes, "Say little and do much."

We can gather from this Rabbi that the discussion of light bulbs is frivilous. It is the action of changing light bulbs that is important.

However, we have to be reminded that in the days of Rabbi Hillel and Shammai there were no light bulbs. So we must acertain from archeological evidence what the First Century equivilent to light bulbs would be and then examine THAT in light of the teachings of our Rabbi Yeshua, who taught us to let out lights shine.

Only then can we truly understand the importance of the light and how the light bulb in it's proper context can...

I'm sorry...what was the question?

Bill Beyer | January 24, 2008 12:37 PM

UMJCer: Only the Jews can change them because the Gentiles aren't really official light-bulb-changers.

Sacred Namers: We don't have any use for no-name brands. They're not really light bulbs.

Two-House: Ephraimites can change light bulbs every bit as much as the House of Judah.

FFOZ: Let's see how the rabbis change light bulbs before we decide what to do.

(Please be advised that all of this is said with much tongue-in-cheek, and is not meant to be an official statement on the beliefs of each group.)

Wanda S. | January 24, 2008 1:03 PM

Bill,

That was beautiful!!!!

JAY | January 24, 2008 3:43 PM

Before changing the bulb research would be necessary to properly evaluate the need for change. We should examine the light in Bible times as well as the attitude toward light through history to be sure anti-semitism was not affecting the light bulb's ability to shine.

We should also research the Hebrew word for light, study the symbolism and the Festival of Lights and how each point to Messiah.

We should study what Paul said about light bulbs but only in context wading through any mis-interpretations.

And of course we should examine Torah to be sure we are observing any commands related to changing the bulb but at the same time recognizing that grace not observance causes the light bulb to shine(and be sure we don't follow any unnecessary bulb rules tacked on by Rabbis).

:)

Shalom,
Robin
Biblicalholidays.com

Robin @ Heart of Wisdom | January 24, 2008 3:56 PM

Torah Observant/Messianic:

Modern lighting and bulb implementation need to be thoroughly redesigned and cautiously reimplemented because, despite Thomas Edison's noble efforts, the light-bulb has been tainted by two thousand years of pagan syncretism beginning with its murky origins in Greek philosophical schools as a pictograph representing new ideas over the heads of great thinkers such as Plato and Socrates and continuing through the Crusades, the Great Reformation, Saturday morning cartoons, and most recently popularized as a pivotal point in a mysterious conspiracy theory involving Leonardo DaVinci and Benjamin Franklin.

For now our best bet is to exchange all of our traditional bulbs for the more efficient organic and eco-friendly compact fluorescent bulbs (stamped with the ‘circle U’ is preferable) which will last significantly longer requiring bulb changes once every ten to fifteen years, effectively securing a source of illumination for the next generation of faithful luminary consumers.

webbmd | January 24, 2008 8:56 PM

It takes 6 Messianics to change a lightbulb.

One to remove the old bulb.
One to replace the bulb.
And finally, the other four to sit around fuming because the installers of the first bulb lied to them regarding proper use of the lightbulb.

aaron | January 24, 2008 9:07 PM

How many Messianics does it take to change a light bulb? It's really very simple.

A minyam.

**Toby's Response:** To add on, those changing a light bulb without a minyan should omit the blessing.

Jeri Murray | January 25, 2008 9:26 AM

It takes 12; one from each tribe of Israel. However, since 10 of the tribes are lost, we are unable to change the bulb until Messiah returns and the 2 sticks become one in His hand. We will just have to let our lights shine until that time.

Jim Denman | January 26, 2008 7:21 PM

Heavens! I laughed so hard, my son came in from the garage to find out what all the ruckus was! Thanks, y'all. "A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine."

Michele Bartlett | January 27, 2008 5:09 PM

Messianics (and other Jewish people) don't change light bulbs; we have the eternal flame (guaranteed to last at least 8 hours, and made in China).

Wayne | January 28, 2008 8:53 PM

Couldn't resist -- from Jewishmag.com
Jews and Lightbulbs

Q: How many Orthodox rabbis does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Change?

Q: How many Conservative rabbis does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Some members of the Committee on Law & Standards say it takes a minyan, except what makes a minyan nobody can agree on. Some say the minyan can be made up of men and women, some say only men, some say men OR women. There was no majority, so the issue remains subject to the decision of the synagogue leader.

Q: How many Reform rabbis does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None, anyone can change it whenever they want to.

Q: How many Hasidic Rebbes does it take to change a light bulb?
A: What is a light bulb?

Q: How many Reconstructionist Jews does it take to change a light bulb?
A: What is a Reconstructionist Jew?

Q: How many Jewish Renewal rabbis does it take to change a light bulb?
A: If the rabbi leading the process is sufficiently skilled in channeling spiritual energy, the light bulb will be relit by itself. However, the bulb must be an eco-kosher bulb that is not going to be lit from nuclear powered electricity and have been made from a company that was in any way responsible for the poisoning of the Hudson River. And during the paradigm shift between the changing of the bulb, one must document the experience for the up and coming book called "The Jew in the Light Bulb."

Q: How many Shlomo Carlebach Hassidim does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Gevaldt, the light just went out, it must be a heavenly sign from Above that we all really need to get much closer this time, sing a good niggun or two, mamash open our hearts to this gevaldt Ishbitz torah, tell a Baal Shem Tov story and then later maybe somebody from the Chevreh can change the bulb at 2 in the morning.

Q: How many Lubavitchers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None, it never died.

Q: How many Breslover Hassidim does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None, because there will never be another one that will burn as brightly as the first.

Q: How many Kabbalah Center Jews does it take to change a light bulb?
A: As many as it would take to raise the $5000 bulb that was carefully selected by "Rabbi" Philip Berg based on its inherent ability to drawn down the Supernal Light into a Vessel astrologically appropriate for that particular Center as well as financially appropriate for their account.

Q: How many congregants in any one synagogue does it take to change a bulb?
A: CHANGE! You vant we should CHANGE the light bulb? My grandmother is the one who donated that light bulb!

Q: How many Jews does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 50. One to change the bulb, 13 to discuss it and give contradictory advice to the person changing the bulb, and 36 to live elsewhere, start their own community, act mentshlich and not mention the previous bulb.

Michele Bartlett | January 29, 2008 12:02 AM

In my humble opinion, we do not need light bulbs because

our Yeshua, our Messiah is the light of the world.

David Drake | January 29, 2008 2:20 AM

Ohhhhhh, BRAVO, everyone!! Absolutely delightful. This is much better than the comedy channel.
Laughter is indeed a good medicine.

Just remember this,,,,, no matter how many messianics it takes to change a light bulb, do not put a cover over the light bulb so that your light cannot be seen. Let it show for all men to see, for those who have lost their way and need a guiding light, for those whose hearts have turned cold and need warmth, and for those who are afraid of the dark...........

This little "bulb" of mine, I'm gonna let it shine......... good thing you can't hear me sing!!

Anyways, no matter what, who, or how many, let the bulb shine within and radiate the light without.

Blessings Upon You

Shavuah Tov

~S~

Shannon | January 29, 2008 6:54 PM

How many Torah observant/Messianic s does it take to change a light bulb? I like all the above answers but really no one knows since "It sure is dark in hear." Is often heard and it could be Monday before anyone notices it needs to be done. Then we will be out of light bulbs and it could require a purchase order to get some more. I heard of a family that use to unscrew the bulbs slightly to cause them not to come on and to insure that the children would not leave them on :)
This leads to confusion over weather the bulb really needs to be changed or if it is just a "little loose". That's us!

Audrey | January 29, 2008 9:41 PM

How many Messianics does it take to change a light bulb?

None, let church we rent the building from do it.

Seth | January 30, 2008 8:57 AM

*** WARNING - DANGER OF POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHOCK ***
DO NOT PERFORM A MIKVAH WHILE CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB

Brian Parsons | February 10, 2008 2:18 PM

No need to if it's the light in the fridge; just wait until after Shabbat and someone will tighten it back into the socket.

Brian Parsons | February 10, 2008 2:19 PM

(I noticed that we haven't mentioned the Eastern religions like Buddhism, so...)

No one person can change the light bulb alone. If the light bulb is to be changed, we must begin by first changing the part of the light bulb that is within each of us.

Brian Parsons | February 10, 2008 2:23 PM