Jewish spouse

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zenith15

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I am a convert to Catholicism. My husband was raised in a nominally Jewish household, but rarely went to synagogue and attended an episcopalian prep school through his high school years. Therefore, he hasn’t much knowledge about the Jewish faith. He believes in God and is open minded, but is now expressing a desire. at age 59, to attend a synagogue and explore his faith roots.

Of course I would love for him to become Catholic as I am, or at least accept Christ and be a Christian, but I am wondering if it is appropriate for me to discourage a Jewish person from attending synagogue and practicing the Jewish faith if they wish to do so? What does the Church say about salvation for the Jews who do not convert?
 
My two Catholic daughters are married to Jews who match the description of your husband’s upbringing and lack of practice of his faith. I tell my daughters to encourage their husbands to practice their Jewish faith. I agree with Mother Miriam that God will work through that to lead them to Jesus. Helpful books for you to digest and share with him are: The Crucified Rabbi and Salvation Comes from the Jews. Also, focus on your own practice of the Faith- the rosary is powerful for conversion and trust in God He will work it all out for the good of those who love Him.
 
Thank you. One thing that concerns me particularly is that my husband is in poor health and in need of a liver transplant and I don’t know when he might suddenly worsen or even God forbid die.
 
All the more reason to encourage him to follow his impulse to practice his religion. If you consult the catechism, it states in there that through ways only known by God Himself, non-Christians and even nonbelievers in anything may be saved through His mercy. Anyways, Judaism is a good starting point for a journey to Christianity. I pray that the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, who is the same God as the God of the Apostles and saints, shows His friendship to your husband and holds him in the palm of His hand.
 
Maybe you could express concern about your husband’s health 1) directly to your priest and 2) directly, but softly, to your husband.

My thoughts about (1) speaking to a priest (your pastor perhaps) would involve letting the priest know you are interested in introducing your husband to Catholicism, and asking the priest if he could be available for a private meeting with you and your husband at some point.

Then, (2), to speak to your husband, you might gently say something like, “We’re getting older, and our relationships with God are becoming very important as we’re getting into our later years, so I understand your interest in attending synagogue. Would you please also come with me (to see your pastor, or go to Mass, or to see a Catholic speaker, etc.) to learn more about what’s so important to me?”

Maybe you could go to synagogue with him…to “exchange visits” so to speak.

That way if you open up dialogue, you could ask each other questions to clarify misunderstandings or fill gaps in knowledge.
 
I wouldn’t discourage him at all. Exploring his Jewish faith has to be better than doing nothing at all. Perhaps that will lead him to Jesus.
 
From Romans 11:

“I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved…”

NAB notes: In God’s design, Israel’s unbelief is being used to grant the light of faith to the Gentiles. Meanwhile, Israel remains dear to God (cf. Rom 9:13), still the object of special providence, the mystery of which will one day be revealed.
 
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