How does a Jew reconcile Judaism with Catholicism?

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HashemsDaughter

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How can a Jew reconcile Judaism with Catholicism? There are many issues, such as God is one, graven images, and also staying Jewish while being Catholic (how does one be both?). I am currently in an RCIA class and about to have to make the big decision, so any answers would be helpful.
 
I think one thing that might help is to try to understand that Catholicism is, in a sense, a development upon biblical, Temple Judaism (as distinguished, in a certain sense, from post-Christian Judaism). Just as doctrine develops within Catholicism, so Catholicism is a development upon the doctrines of Judaism. So, for example, it is absolutely true that God is one, as he revealed himself to be in the Torah. Later, when Christ came, he revealed that there are three Persons in the one, true God. Likewise, God did not allow man to worship graven images (although some images, such as Temple statuary, were allowed) because those images were not God. In Christ, God became man and thus gave an image of himself to worship (cf. Col. 1:15). Difficulties such as this can be resolved through study of what Catholics believe. If you need further personalized assistance, please feel free to contact Catholic Answers directly.

The more difficult obstacle for Jews considering Catholicism is the obligation they rightly feel to maintain their Jewish identity and the fear they understandably face of the assimilation of themselves and their families into the Church. I highly recommend to you that you look into the work of the Association of Hebrew Catholics, a Catholic apostolate that seeks to preserve the identity and heritage of Catholics of Jewish origin within the Catholic Church.

God bless, and welcome home!
 
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