How Much Jewish Influence on the Liturgy?

[SeekNFind]

I asked this in RCIA but I was hoping to get a more specific answer here or resources to point me towards the answer. How much of a Jewish influence is there on the Mass? What did Mass/worship look like in the days of Peter and Paul? They were Jewish so I imagine this shaped a lot of what we do today, right? If I went to a Jewish temple on the Sabbath how similar would it be to Mass? How much has the Mass changed since the days of the early Church? I know much of what is done is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition but I’m looking for specifics. Thanks!

 

[campion]

After my one and only visit to a synagogue some 25 years ago, I would say the Liturgy of the Word resembles a Jewish service.

 

[TimothyH]

Read “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist” by Brant Pitre.

-Tim-

 

[jkarp]

I asked this in RCIA but I was hoping to get a more specific answer here or resources to point me towards the answer. How much of a Jewish influence is there on the Mass? What did Mass/worship look like in the days of Peter and Paul? They were Jewish so I imagine this shaped a lot of what we do today, right? If I went to a Jewish temple on the Sabbath how similar would it be to Mass? How much has the Mass changed since the days of the early Church? I know much of what is done is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition but I’m looking for specifics. Thanks!

The Mass definitely has its roots deep in Judaism. For example, many of the Proper chants are taken from the Psalms. Another great example is the Sanctus which has it’s roots in the Hebrew Kadusha prayer:

Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh Adonai Tz’vaot
Melo Kol Haaretz Kevodo.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Sabbaoth
The entire world is filled with His glory.

I recently accompanied a Nuptial Mass in the cantor was a Jewish woman. throughout Mass she kept commenting how astonished she how similar the Catholic liturgy is to the Jewish liturgy.

 

[opus101]

the mass definitely has its roots deep in judaism. For example, many of the proper chants are taken from the psalms. Another great example is the sanctus which has it’s roots in the hebrew kadusha prayer:

Kadosh kadosh kadosh adonai tz’vaot
melo kol haaretz kevodo.

Holy, holy, holy lord god sabbaoth
the entire world is filled with his glory.

I recently accompanied a nuptial mass in the cantor was a jewish woman. Throughout mass she kept commenting how astonished she how similar the catholic liturgy is to the jewish liturgy.

cool!!!

 

[Bezant]

I asked this in RCIA but I was hoping to get a more specific answer here or resources to point me towards the answer. How much of a Jewish influence is there on the Mass? What did Mass/worship look like in the days of Peter and Paul? They were Jewish so I imagine this shaped a lot of what we do today, right? If I went to a Jewish temple on the Sabbath how similar would it be to Mass? How much has the Mass changed since the days of the early Church? I know much of what is done is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition but I’m looking for specifics. Thanks!

It might depend on the movement. I attended a Liberal service once and there were some similarities to the Mass: music, structure, mixed seating, standing up, sitting down. There was a part where the Torah was taken around the congregation, who touched their books to the scroll cover; rather like when Catholics carry the monstrance with the host inside, or carry incense.

And of course there were many differences. There were no images at all. The Torah is chanted. There was more Hebrew in the service than Latin or Greek in the Mass. And there were two things I found most interesting and different. Overall it was a very structured service, but not as much a dialogue (or perhaps I wasn’t following so well ) And whereas Catholics use the Old Testament more as a backdrop to the lessons and events in the New Testament, the Torah is an ongoing relevance for Jews so there were many references not only to ancestors but also to inheriting that tradition and being faithful to it now and always.

Overall, it wasn’t terribly similar. I think it would be far more different at Orthodox service, where there’s more Hebrew, men and women are seated separately behind a barrier, men lead the service, and there’s definitely no music.

 

[andrewstx]

One simularity to the Mass is the Kidush.

It’s done on Friday evenings. The rabbi or other liturgical leader will take a cup of wine, bless and drink it.

After the service the whole congregation will bless and drink another cup of wine with the words:

“Blessed art thou oh Lord our God creator of the universe who hast created the fruit of the vine.”

Sorry I have forgotten the Hebrew, but it’s something like:

“Baruch atoh Adonai Eluhenu…boray peri haggofen.”

 

[JimmytheButcher]

I asked this in RCIA but I was hoping to get a more specific answer here or resources to point me towards the answer. How much of a Jewish influence is there on the Mass? What did Mass/worship look like in the days of Peter and Paul? They were Jewish so I imagine this shaped a lot of what we do today, right? If I went to a Jewish temple on the Sabbath how similar would it be to Mass? How much has the Mass changed since the days of the early Church? I know much of what is done is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition but I’m looking for specifics. Thanks!

The Roman Rite took root and grew out of the ancient Jewish population that still inhabits Rome. The Liturgy is particularly affected by this proximity.

St. Thomas Aquinas the great philosopher and Theologian says that every sacrifice that takes place under the Old is truly representative of the holy Sacrament of the New; that is, the Eucharist.

In the same way devotions of the Old reflect devotions of the New. For example, Mary is truly the Ark of the Covenant.

I also endorse the Jewish roots book. It is fantastic. I read it in a matter of hours.

Three great videos…

youtu.be/qbFSiiaY4oA
youtu.be/k-EjbY1LKNg
youtu.be/rVzu0vlwlQY

 

[SeekNFind]

Thank you ALL for these responses.

@ TimothyH and @JimmytheButcher I’m definitely going to check out “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist.”

@jkarp that’s SO cool about the Sanctus!

Alright, I have to go to a Temple. I don’t want to offend one of my Jewish acquaintances by asking but I also don’t want to show up into a Temple alone. So, I will have to work up the courage to ask!

 

[johnnykins]

I believe it was Pope Pius XI who said: “Through Christ and in Christ we are the spiritual progeny of Abraham. Spiritually, we are all Semites”

But I guess you wanted a more specific and detailed answer