Can I practice Judaism while remaining largely Catholic?

[Robert_Sock]

How do you think the book, Imitation of Christ, would address this issue? I don’t think it even brings it up. If it would help Christian prayer and practice, don’t you think it would have mentioned it? At least a little?

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

The Imitation of Christ deals with values and attitudes, much of which is practiced by Jews. It does not seek to unify, but implicitly keeps the division between Jews and Christians.

It’s no longer Christians vs Jews in today’s world, but Christians and Jews. Unity and growth through division, that’s what I think Christ is talking about. Surely there will be salvation for Christians and Jews.There was a deep division between Jews and Christians historically, but that was for yesterday, and yesterday is gone.

 

[thistle]

In the eyes of God, and in their destination, they are both equal. Christianity is an extension of Judaism to the Gentiles.

Salvation is ONLY through Christ. Jews do not accept Christ. Those who reject Christ up to death will not be saved.

 

[fred_conty]

Salvation is ONLY through Christ. Jews do not accept Christ. Those who reject Christ up to death will not be saved.

I think what you mean to say is “if they know better.”

 

[fred_conty]

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

The Imitation of Christ deals with values and attitudes, much of which is practiced by Jews. It does not seek to unify, but implicitly keeps the division between Jews and Christians.

It’s no longer Christians vs Jews in today’s world, but Christians and Jews. Unity and growth through division, that’s what I think Christ is talking about. Surely there will be salvation for Christians and Jews.There was a deep division between Jews and Christians historically, but that was for yesterday, and yesterday is gone.

When Jesus was talking about bringing division, he was talking about father against son, brother against brother, and so on, because of faith in him. That they would be hated for being followers of him. And won’t that always go on…forever. And that is why he warned us about it happening.

Now for the real litmus test…is Mary of the Catholic faith or of the Jewish faith?

Tho we have real issues between the Jews and Christians, but that doesn’t mean we don’t care for one another. We can be good friends and still disagree amicably. I feel there seems to be a concern that there is undue animosity. I believe that is shrinking. And I do believe, with the church, that they to are open to salvation, if they do not know better which most seem not to. But I pray for them to meet their true Messiah who died for them and so they may benefit for the very source of goodness and holiness just as you and I.

When you say “There was a deep division between Jews and Christians historically”, I believe you mean the bad kind of division…misunderstanding, bigotry, and so on. But as far as division between Jews and Christians in regard to the faith, I think you would say that this is true today as well as yesteryear.

St. Jerome had many friends among the Jews and that is what it should be.

 

[e_c]

Jews are promised the land of Caanan as an inheritance. Christians are promised what Caanan represents… Heaven.

Newsflash, most of the New Testament is about how the Jews need to accept Jesus as Messiah. The ones that refuse are not seen by the apostles or by Christ as being just fine and dandy.

This thread is very confusing to me… Like when people say that we should be Jewish “Because Jesus was Jewish!” Similar thinking.

 

[StGerardMajella]

What is wrong with it is that it is not the path of Jesus.

How so? Jesus is called a rabbi in the New Testament. A Jewish rabbi. He kept the feast days, and He kept the Sabbath. He kept the Ten Commandments. He lived in Israel. He kept the laws of the Torah, and understood the laws thoroughly.

In fact, those that live a Torah-based lifestyle are actually living more closely to the path of Jesus than those that don’t. Our Carthusians on the Catholic side are probably the closest to following Christ’s path, and holy, devout Orthodox Jews on the Jewish side are probably closest on the Jewish side.

 

[davidv]

How so? Jesus is called a rabbi in the New Testament. A Jewish rabbi. He kept the feast days, and He kept the Sabbath. He kept the Ten Commandments. He lived in Israel. He kept the laws of the Torah, and understood the laws thoroughly.

In fact, those that live a Torah-based lifestyle are actually living more closely to the path of Jesus than those that don’t. Our Carthusians on the Catholic side are probably the closest to following Christ’s path, and holy, devout Orthodox Jews on the Jewish side are probably closest on the Jewish side.

How can one follow someone who is denied?

 

[StGerardMajella]

How can one follow someone who is denied?

As Pope Benedict states, Christ was the Living Torah. The Jews follow the written Torah. It’s still the same Torah, whether in written form, or in the form of the Christ.

We believe the same as Catholics - Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They are all one - The Father is God, and the Son is God. One and the same.

 

[fred_conty]

As Pope Benedict states, Christ was the Living Torah. The Jews follow the written Torah. It’s still the same Torah, whether in written form, or in the form of the Christ.

We believe the same as Catholics - Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They are all one - The Father is God, and the Son is God. One and the same.

Your nomenclature says you are Catholic. Are you Jewish?

While the Torah is the law of the old testament that Moses is thought to have written, and tho it is inspired, it is not the whole Bible, but only 5 books. There is so much more to our Catholic faith than just the Torah. Jesus said He was the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIGHT. And he said to follow him. It was Jesus himself who said to be baptized and be born again into the kingdom of heaven. He said that “this is my body” and “this is my blood”, and “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you cannot have life in you.”

This is not about following the old Jewish laws, such as circumcision, or their traditions, such as clean animals, but about following Jesus Christ who is God and came to teach us the real Way to his kingdom.