Is it wrong to practice Jewish traditions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Linkthemissing
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Linkthemissing

Guest
I have always wondered if it was “wrong” per say to practice some of the Jewish traditions, Many would love to incorporate the culture of Judaism as a way to pay respect to our spiritual heritage. There are some (meaning the Messianic Jews) who believe that we should observe both the Old testament and new testament traditions, and I see no harm in doing so. As long as we maintain our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow the Holy Church. or am I wrong?
 
I personally see nothing wrong with it so long as it is not sinful or anti-Christian/Catholic.
 
Do you think it would be wrong for Jews to still offer animal sacrifices in the Temple?
 
Shin said:
Do you think it would be wrong for Jews to still offer animal sacrifices in the Temple?
Click to expand...
I do. I didn’t take the OP to be wanting to do that, but I guess we should make sure … :rolleyes:
 
What is the reason for practicing Jewish traditions, and which traditions?
If you mean for instance in a mixed marriage between a Jew and a Catholic, they might observe both Hannukuh and Christmas customs for the sake of the children, or celebrate Passover, fine.

If you mean a Christian convert from Judaism who retains some of the cultural and religious practices of his childhood, such as the dietary rules he has grown up with, fine.

If you mean a Christian with no particular Jewish background, who decides to dress, pray, follow kosher laws, imitate a seder or hold himself out as Jewish, that to me could easily become insulting to Jews in his vicinity and some Jews have commented they consider such things as “aping” their religion so should be avoided on that grounds alone.

If you mean adhering to all the laws of Leviticus etc. as some kind of statement that they are still commanded, that is wrong for Christians, we have the testimony in Acts for that. Still further to insist Christian convert adhere to those laws is contrary to the Faith as well. If the practices are based on imperfect understanding of the Christian faith the wrong multiplies.

The governing principle here above all should be charity to our Jewish elder brothers in faith.

There is no temple so that does not arise and at least sounds mean spirited, don’t know how it was meant.

Messianic Jews, as an organized sect, misstate so much of Catholic teaching they are not good examples.
 
Once we are born of the spirit, the rules are in our hearts and we are directly led by the spirit, so we no longer have to be concerned with breaking the first commandment or any others.

If we focus on getting to that point, then we need not concern ourselves whether participating in the prayer form of somebody non-Catholic is dangerous or not. If the Spirit leads us to those people for whatever reason – maybe to evangelize, maybe so that I’ll learn something through the experience, maybe both – then I suggest we take a strategy from St. Paul, and put away our own “conscience” (which we no longer need because of the spirit) and act according to the conscience of those around us.

To me, this flies in the face of the “must not say or do anything that isn’t purely Catholic” mindset.
1 Cot 9:19-23:
Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law–though I myself am not under the law–to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law–though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ–to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top