Jewish Catholic (The do's and don't's of the customs)

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Pattylt said:
As someone from Orthodox Judaism, I see no problems in continuing to celebrate Jewish holidays and customs if you wish to. It’s your culture and these are part of cultural practices.

I know Catholics won’t agree as hardily with me on this…but many atheists continue to celebrate Christmas. It’s their cultural tradition even though they no longer attach the religious aspect to it.

Most Jewish holidays are not religious, they are historical celebrations, including Hanukkah, Purim, Sukkot…even Simchah Torah is just celebrating the restart of the Torah.

Curious…do you still celebrate Sabbath? I don’t see a problem even with that as sabbath and Lords day are two different days.
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My family was never Orthodox, though my brother and I have probably been the most drawn to our Judaism growing up. My dad especially was raised more just culturally Jewish (though he is an Evangelical Christian today).

Why do you suppose many Catholics regard celebrating Judaism to be so inherently wrong? I’m not claiming they are right or wrong, I’m trying to investigate this because I don’t know.
 
I am not an expert in this but I suspect the issue is in two places. The first is concern that the terminology of some traditions would deny that the Messiah has already come. The second is in the meaning of remembering. Both the terminology of the Passover and the Last Supper refer to continuing the tradition in remembrance, and that isn’t just in reference to keeping history alive. Instead we are asking God to remember and uphold His promises. That’s a problem for Christians where the old covenant is concerned because it is already fulfilled.

I would think, though, that intent still matters.
 
Inquiry said:
I am not an expert in this but I suspect the issue is in two places. The first is concern that the terminology of some traditions would deny that the Messiah has already come. The second is in the meaning of remembering. Both the terminology of the Passover and the Last Supper refer to continuing the tradition in remembrance, and that isn’t just in reference to keeping history alive. Instead we are asking God to remember and uphold His promises. That’s a problem for Christians where the old covenant is concerned because it is already fulfilled.

I would think, though, that intent still matters.
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I think you’re right, and this is the huge struggle.

Intent matters, but knowing this, even if I decide that my intentions are good, I am still culpable. We can do heretical things but legitimately have good intentions, but it doesn’t mean we are no longer guilty.
 
Honestly, I would discuss it with your priest…not several…just yours and see what they think. Explain things as you have done here and follow his advice.

Asking multiple priests is just like asking multiple Rabbis…you’ll get multiple opinions.

Yes, the Passover Seder has the portion where we ask for the Messiah to come…but aren’t Catholics also waiting for Jesus to come (again). Jews continually remind themselves (lest they forget?😂) that God is one…Catholics believe God is one as well…just a different understanding of what one means. As I’m trying to think through the various holidays, I can’t think of anything that would be against catholic teachings…so, from my point of view, it’s cultural tradition that you are affirming, not Judaism itself.

If you are comfortable and secure in your faith and wish to enjoy the traditions of Judaism, I think there’s no problem…but I’m just some old lady on the internet! I’d love to know what’s actually wrong with it…not just someone else’s uncomfort with it.
 
I think asking my priest, and only my priest, isn’t a bad start – though there is also a chance his answer isn’t the right answer.

While you’re right that we are waiting for the return of the Messiah, this is not what it means in the Seder meal – they are asking for the first coming. These distinctions matter.
 
As has been already said upthread, celebrating Hanukkah and Purim are historical and cultural celebrations so continued to follow them really shouldn’t be a problem for a Catholic. (It can be said Hanukkah would be beneficial as it is tied to the book of Maccabees and that’s one of the books us, Catholics, have but our Protestant Brethren do not. The celebration might prepare any children in your household to better explain why those books are considered canonical when asked about it eventually).

As others have also said, the Seder meal has both religious and cultural elements for Judaism. What you might want to do it find out what alterations Catholic parishes do when it is sometimes offered. Then you would have access to that heritage, but also have it in a way that’s already been vetted and approved by some Catholic authority.
 
gcshapero said:
While you’re right that we are waiting for the return of the Messiah, this is not what it means in the Seder meal – they are asking for the first coming. These distinctions matter.
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I guess it depends on how one looks at it. Wouldn’t you say that the messiah the Jews are waiting for is Jesus? If it is, why wouldn’t you agree with those prayers?
 
Pattylt said:
I guess it depends on how one looks at it. Wouldn’t you say that the messiah the Jews are waiting for is Jesus? If it is, why wouldn’t you agree with those prayers?
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I don’t think I could say that. They may be waiting for a Messiah or who they THINK Jesus would be, but now who Jesus actually is. We should remember that Jesus is a real person with the most incredible nature, and not who we decide he should be.

It would be too much of a stretch to agree with the prayers as they were designed.
 
JS_Cortez said:
As others have also said, the Seder meal has both religious and cultural elements for Judaism. What you might want to do it find out what alterations Catholic parishes do when it is sometimes offered. Then you would have access to that heritage, but also have it in a way that’s already been vetted and approved by some Catholic authority.
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Technically nothing has been officially approved or restricted – there has been no public declaration in regards to this by the Holy See. Although just because they made no public declaration doesn’t means it’s up for grabs.

By no means do I expect to find an answer, but perhaps the perspectives can be drilled down more.

Why do you suppose some Catholics, both Lay and Religious, suggest ALL Jewish customs should be rejected?
 
Sorry, guess I’m a bit unclear - let me rephrase the question - how far back in time do you need to go to get to a Jewish ancestor?
 
Thank you – they are a good resource. I don’t know if I agree with them 100%. I have been speaking back and forth for awhile with the president of AHC, David Moss. He has provided some good clarity, though I’m still uncertain and trying to dig deeper.

Also, can you trust a source that uses Comic Sans? 😛
 
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po18guy said:
Well…
Have you watched Fr. Peter Sabbath’s conversion story? It brings chills if not tears.
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I have. I follow most of those folks’ stories (Fr. Sabbath, Jean-Marie Lustiger, Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God, Roy Schoeman, even Trent Horn who is also Jewish).

It’s not that I don’t believe they don’t exist or their validity as Catholics – it’s more of the Jewish customs and what can be celebrated as a Catholic and what should be put aside.

Of course Catholicism is Judaism in fullness, but this is more in light of cultural Judaism. But the religion has been fulfilled, where does that leave the culture as it stands?
 
gcshapero said:
where does that leave the culture as it stands?
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You could always just go with Hanukkah. Throw in a Purim but skip Passover unless it’s a Seder held at a church for Catholics. You are still involving your culture and passing it on without the theological headaches. There is no reason it has to be all or nothing!
 
Pattylt said:
You could always just go with Hanukkah. Throw in a Purim but skip Passover unless it’s a Seder held at a church for Catholics. You are still involving your culture and passing it on without the theological headaches. There is no reason it has to be all or nothing!
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As of now, this is where I am leaning as I am researching, and I agree with you.

Though I wouldn’t be comfortable doing a Seder meal in any capacity – potentially especially at a Catholic parish since it would be insult to injury.
 
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