Judaism
Jerry’s dentist, Tim Whatley, converts to Judaism, and then immediately begins making jokes about Judaism and Jewish culture.
This makes Jerry feel extremely uncomfortable and suggests that Whatley converted solely for the jokes
Jerry confesses to a priest that he thinks Whatley converted to make Jewish jokes, saying that he is offended, not as Jew but as a comedian.
This interaction between Jerry and the priest suggests that religion takes a back seat to other aspects of his life – such as his career.
It is also interesting to note that in time of crisis he seeks the counsel of a catholic priest, even though he identifies himself as Jewish.
Jerry complains to Kramer about Whatley’s conversion, Kramer then calls Jerry an “Anti-dentite”; Drawing comparison to “anti-Semite”, the prejudice or hatred of Jewish people.
Later in this episode another person calls Jerry an “anti-dentite”; Jerry is then comforted by a woman who heard this, she is later revealed to be an “anti-dentite” herself as well as a “anti-Semite”, and a racist. This causing Jerry to leave her. He later tells Elaine that the woman left “to get her head shaved”, suggesting that she is a neo-Nazi.
These interactions show that Jerry has a line he will not cross when it comes to religion and mockery. It shows that, although he often says offense remarks and hurtful comments, he does not actually feel this way and have negative beliefs about people who have faith in religion.
When Elaine learns that both her boss and hos 13-year-old son (who just celebrated his bar mitzvah) have grown attracted to her she seeks the advice of George.
George tells Elaine that she has what is known as “Shiksa-appeal” , referring to the affect that non-Jewish women have on Jewish men. According to George: “Jewish men love the idea of meeting a woman that’s not like their mother”
When both Elaine’s boss and his son renounce their religion so they can be with Elaine, she seeks the advice of a Rabbi on how she can reduce her Shiksa-appeal. Instead of helping Elaine, the rabbi comes onto Elaine. Showing that not only does Seinfeld not take religion seriously, but also they do not take the leaders of the faith seriously either.
When George picks Jerry up at the airport, his car breaks down prompting them to take a limo that belongs to someone else that has not shown up.
In the limo, George is mistaken for an author who writes anti-Jewish material and head of a chapter of the Aryan union – a neo-Nazi organization.
This shows that not only does Seinfeld mock religions, but also their counterparts who actually have negative feelings toward them.
Elaine is jealous of George’s engagement so she goes to see a rabbi. This is interesting, as Elaine has never announced any ties to a religion, yet seeks the advice of a religious leader. However, the Rabbi then tells multiple people of her insecurities including Jerry.
Later in the episode George and his financee are watching the cable television show that the Rabbi hosts. The rabbi tells a story about Elaine and George, referring to both by name, about George asking Elaine if she thinks it is considered cheating if he paid for a prostitute while engaged.This results in their wedding postponement to be cancelled and the wedding is back on track. As George was trying to get the wedding pushed back throughout this episode.
This is another example of showing a religious leader in a negative light, that the show mocks every aspect of a religion – even their clergy and leaders.