Rabbi in Residence for Western Mass Cathedral

[Reuben_J]

So can the Episcopalian Church drop the pretence and just admit they ? If people are are going to complain that the previous sentence is unfair, then shouldn’t the Episcopalian Church be in the news when it does something Christian as opposed things which are not Christian?

What is the purpose of preaching within the church? The church being both the body of Christ and the building consecrated for the purposes of glorifying the triune God. Will this Rabbi preach Christ? Will this Rabbi glorify Christ as God? No he won’t. In a world which constantly tends to ignore God and Christ shouldn’t Sunday, the day on which Christ was raised, shouldn’t we use that period of time, that preaching to glorify him?

Maybe he can type?

There are many things to do as staff of the Cathedral.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

So can the Episcopalian Church drop the pretence and just admit they ? If people are are going to complain that the previous sentence is unfair, then shouldn’t the Episcopalian Church be in the news when it does something Christian as opposed things which are not Christian?

What is the purpose of preaching within the church? The church being both the body of Christ and the building consecrated for the purposes of glorifying the triune God. Will this Rabbi preach Christ? Will this Rabbi glorify Christ as God? No he won’t. In a world which constantly tends to ignore God and Christ shouldn’t Sunday, the day on which Christ was raised, shouldn’t we use that period of time, that preaching to glorify him?

Having done interfaith work myself as a Catholic priest who had the opportunity to work in both non-Catholic and non-Christian settings, I would presume the Rabbi would focus on helping the members of the Cathedral community to draw from the Jewish heritage that is the patrimony of every Christian. He would be able to articulate how the liturgies of the Christian confessions derive from a Jewish matrix, which the Rabbi would be well placed to expound. He would also open aspects of the Hebrew scriptures that draw upon both his rabbinical education and formation.

From personal experience, I can say there is something quite remarkable and quite profound, as a priest, to pray the psalms together with a rabbi friend…and I hope this community is able to have that very special experience with “an elder brother”, as our Holy Father Pope Saint John Paul II used the expression when he visited the Jewish Synagogue of Rome that is but a short distance from the Vatican.

It is an Episcopal diocese but it is for them a wonderful opportunity to live aspects of a bondedness that we now know and experience in Catholicism thanks to the post-Nostra Aetate era.

 

[lax16]

Maybe he can type?

There are many things to do as staff of the Cathedral.

It’s not a Catholic cathedral, I believe it’s Episcopalian.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Having done interfaith work myself as a Catholic priest who had the opportunity to work in both non-Catholic and non-Christian settings, I would presume the Rabbi would focus on helping the members of the Cathedral community to draw from the Jewish heritage that is the patrimony of every Christian. He would be able to articulate how the liturgies of the Christian confessions derive from a Jewish matrix, which the Rabbi would be well placed to expound. He would also open aspects of the Hebrew scriptures that draw upon both his rabbinical education and formation.

From personal experience, I can say there is something quite remarkable and quite profound, as a priest, to pray the psalms together with a rabbi friend…and I hope this community is able to have that very special experience with “an elder brother”, as our Holy Father Pope Saint John Paul II used the expression when he visited the Jewish Synagogue of Rome that is but a short distance from the Vatican.

It is an Episcopal diocese but it is for them a wonderful opportunity to live aspects of a bondedness that we now know and experience in Catholicism thanks to the post-Nostra Aetate era.

No offense to you Fr., but I’d not consider a “Reform Jewish Rabbi” elder to Christianity or well-placed on the Traditional understanding of Hebrew Scriptures. The entire movement began in Germany 200 years ago by rich laymen, is today heavily American, and would probably disagree with Orthodox and conservative Jewish groups more than they agree with liberal Christianity.

 

[Padres1969]

One of the most moving sermons I have ever heard (on tape) was Dr Martin Luther King preaching at the Washington National Cathedral. It was the last Sunday sermon before he was assassinated. Dr King, obviously, was not Episcopalian.

The Word of God knows no bounds.

Well said. I mean having non-Episcopalians preach is not a new thing for our denomination. My own diocese’s Cathedral has had a Methodist preacher in residence for many years as well as a Lutheran canon for biblical studies. As well as the a fore mentioned Rabbi in residence. All speak the word of God and add to our understanding of His word, particularly given their unique context of viewing it. For example a Rabbi can definitely help give a more personal and Jewish understanding of the Hebrew scriptures than one might get from a Christian preacher. To say nothing of issues which transcend denominations or even faiths that are none-the-less raised as a concern by the scriptures.

 

[phil19034]

I do believe that only Catholic priests or deacons should preach at Mass. However, I would truly enjoy learning more about the Jewish faith because it would enhance my Catholic faith.
For example, the last supper was a Passover Seder meal. At the same time it was the first Eucharist. The Rosary Mystery of the Presentation at the Temple is a Jewish custom that I don’t fully understand.
We believe that Christianity is the fulfillment of Judaism. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah Who was prophesied in the Old Testament.

I believe if I understand Judaism better, my own faith and understanding of Jesus will be enriched. I would enjoy an adult-ed class taught by a rabbi.

I would also enjoy some type of social justice type ministry with people of others faiths such as working with the homeless, or prolife causes. I am not looking to convert but rather form a bond with people of different faiths.

there are some real good books and Lighthouse Catholic CDs on our Jewish roots.

However, you have to remember that Judaism today (even the Orthodox) is much different than it was in the time of Christ.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

there are some real good books and Lighthouse Catholic CDs on our Jewish roots.

However, you have to remember that Judaism today (even the Orthodox) is much different than it was in the time of Christ.

This is quite true, and it’s important, at least for me as a practicing Christian and also a scholar, to know and understand Christianity’s roots in Judaism (our shared Scriptures and history) and also modern-day Judaism, since we are all part of the Abrahamic tradition. I have prayed side by side Jewish brothers and sisters, been a guest at a Shabbat dinner, a guest at weddings and bar/bat mitzvoth, shared sacred space in Israel, and I have great respect for the faith, prayers, and rituals of Judaism.

To me, it would be harder to rationalize being a rabbi at a Christian cathedral than it would being a Christian cathedral having a clergy who is a rabbi.

I give the rabbi a whole lot of credit.

 

[Reuben_J]

It’s not a Catholic cathedral, I believe it’s Episcopalian.

Noted. Thanks for the correction.

 

[Reuben_J]

To me, it would be harder to rationalize being a rabbi at a Christian cathedral than it would being a Christian cathedral having a clergy who is a rabbi.

I give the rabbi a whole lot of credit.

I was thinking it was a Catholic Cathedral. In any case, if a Rabbi should work in our cathedral, I would not think he will be preaching though he can if he is up to it, say, for a given topic. But obviously he would fill his job specification, and that can be just about anything. I get the impression from the posts here that he must be preaching Judaism in a Christian Cathedral. But can’t he be just an organizer, an administrator or a coordinator for the parish’s needs and activities?

 

[ComplineSanFran]

I was thinking it was a Catholic Cathedral. In any case, if a Rabbi should work in our cathedral, I would not think he will be preaching though he can if he is up to it, say, for a given topic. But obviously he would fill his job specification, and that can be just about anything. I get the impression from the posts here that he must be preaching Judaism in a Christian Cathedral. But can’t he be just an organizer, an administrator or a coordinator for the parish’s needs and activities?

Why would you bring in a rabbi to be an organizer? You would use him/her to teach, to preach, to counsel, to perform the jobs that a clergy would do.

 

[jaimeleglise]

there are some real good books and Lighthouse Catholic CDs on our Jewish roots.

However, you have to remember that Judaism today (even the Orthodox) is much different than it was in the time of Christ.

Thank you very much for your response, Phil.

 

[Reuben_J]

Why would you bring in a rabbi to be an organizer? You would use him/her to teach, to preach, to counsel, to perform the jobs that a clergy would do.

That’s why I guess you don’t ordinarily get a Rabbi applying for a post in the cathedral. However, should one does, I don’t think a cathedral would be very discriminating. FYI, a clergy does not do those things in our cathedral. There are just too much to do and the cathedral has big staff. Maybe a small parish where you just have only two priests on the job without even any clerical staff, in which case, if that’s all they have in my cathedral, they would be just spending all their time counting mass collections. What about the repair, RCIA, faith formation, yes counseling too, seminars, Bible study, and so on and so forth? Don’t you need a manager to coordinate all those?

 

[ComplineSanFran]

That’s why I guess you don’t ordinarily get a Rabbi applying for a post in the cathedral.

I believe this rabbi was asked to be a part of the Cathedral staff. It is a position of honor.

 

[Reuben_J]

I believe this rabbi was asked to be a part of the Cathedral staff. It is a position of honor.

What is his position be? What is his job specification there?

I mistakenly thought we were talking about Catholic cathedral, my bad for not reading the early posts, where there are many staff with different roles. He would definitely cannot say a mass as he is not ordained priest but depends on the position that he is hired for, that would be his job.

So what is his job in your cathedral?

 

[ComplineSanFran]

So what is his job in your cathedral?

The linked article explains it all. The rabbi has been brought in to teach, preach, and work with the congregation on social justice issues. His title is ‘Rabbi in Residence.’

 

[Wannano]

there are some real good books and Lighthouse Catholic CDs on our Jewish roots.

However, you have to remember that Judaism today (even the Orthodox) is much different than it was in the time of Christ.

You stimulate my interest in your last sentence. I know very little about Judaism but to think that it is much different than at the time of Christ makes me want to know more. In the same vein it seems obvious to me that present day Catholicism as well as the ensuing tide of Protestant Christianity is much different than “the way” of the original practice. The Apostle Paul and others went to teach in the Jewish synagogues as was their custom. Only God sees the whole picture with the truth of all the details. All that has been practiced and formulated through the centuries is only completely understood by Him. In the end will we all be surprised at what the big picture will present? We expend much effort in knowing all about God and in the case of Christianity about His Son, Jesus Christ. Should we rather be putting our efforts in knowing Him personally rather than about Him?

 

[CeelosDeznos]

You stimulate my interest in your last sentence. I know very little about Judaism but to think that it is much different than at the time of Christ makes me want to know more. In the same vein it seems obvious to me that present day Catholicism as well as the ensuing tide of Protestant Christianity is much different than “the way” of the original practice.

The Catholic Church and Christians associated with them in Jewish-Christian dialogue have recognized over the past 50 to 60 years that reflection on where the Church has been in relation to Judaism and where both are going is necessary.

There have indeed been changes to both, but the changes don’t negate that God still works with his people. For instance, the original Jerusalem congregation consisted of Jewish Christians that were Torah-observant. According to the Scriptural testimony, the apostle Paul made a public act of worship in the Jewish Temple to demonstrate that his ministry to the Gentiles and his teaching to them (contained in many of the epistles) did not fully apply to followers of Jesus who were of Jewish stock.–Acts 21:17-26.

The Jerusalem church remained until the year 135 C.E./A.D. when the Romans crushed the Bar Kokhba rebellion and banned all Jews from Jerusalem. This included the Jewish Christians. The last Jewish bishop of Jerusalem was Judah Kyriakos (who was the great grandson of St. Jude the Apostle), and little to nothing is known of what happened to him and the Jewish Christians after this.

Eventually a great divide occurred between Judaism and Christianity. It culminated over the centuries into actual hatred between the two, and sadly climaxed into the anti-Semitism that ran amuck through Europe in the 20th century, climaxing in the horrors of the Shoah.

Since then bridges have been built in dialogue between Jews and Christians. Among Judaism and the Catholic Church a new understanding has developed. In mutual fraternal dialogue the Catholic Church recently recognized the following:

“In the past, the break between the Jewish people and the Church of Christ Jesus could sometimes, in certain times and places, give the impression of being complete. In the light of the Scriptures, this should never have occurred. For a complete break between Church and Synagogue contradicts Sacred Scripture.”–The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible.

There are still many Christians of Jewish descent among Catholics who live as children of both worlds, myself included. Many are descendants of the Conversos who were expelled from Spain by promulgation of the Alhambra Decree of 1492. At the dawn of the 21st century Spain and Portugal began actively seeking ways to repair the wrong that occurred, offering restored citizenship to these descendants many of which are considered “Crypto-Jews” who despite being Catholic have kept their Jewish customs alive and well over the centuries. (A similar resolve is currently being considered by the State of Israel.) Some today live much like the original Jerusalem Christian community did in the first century.

Whatever negative changes have occurred among the two have not been so great that Divine Providence has been unable to overcome them. While neither side is currently claiming to have all the answers, many in Judaism and the Catholic Church have come to understand that God’s redemption appears to exceed greatly beyond the limits of denominational lines and theological differences.

For more on this you may want to read two important statements released at the end of 2015, one from the Holy See and the other a statement from Orthodox Rabbis.

“The Gifts and Calling of God are Irrevocable”–Catholic Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews.

Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity

 

[Wannano]

The Catholic Church and Christians associated with them in Jewish-Christian dialogue have recognized over the past 50 to 60 years that reflection on where the Church has been in relation to Judaism and where both are going is necessary.

There have indeed been changes to both, but the changes don’t negate that God still works with his people. For instance, the original Jerusalem congregation consisted of Jewish Christians that were Torah-observant. According to the Scriptural testimony, the apostle Paul made a public act of worship in the Jewish Temple to demonstrate that his ministry to the Gentiles and his teaching to them (contained in many of the epistles) did not fully apply to followers of Jesus who were of Jewish stock.–Acts 21:17-26.

The Jerusalem church remained until the year 135 C.E./A.D. when the Romans crushed the Bar Kokhba rebellion and banned all Jews from Jerusalem. This included the Jewish Christians. The last Jewish bishop of Jerusalem was Judah Kyriakos (who was the great grandson of St. Jude the Apostle), and little to nothing is known of what happened to him and the Jewish Christians after this.

Eventually a great divide occurred between Judaism and Christianity. It culminated over the centuries into actual hatred between the two, and sadly climaxed into the anti-Semitism that ran amuck through Europe in the 20th century, climaxing in the horrors of the Shoah.

Since then bridges have been built in dialogue between Jews and Christians. Among Judaism and the Catholic Church a new understanding has developed. In mutual fraternal dialogue the Catholic Church recently recognized the following:

“In the past, the break between the Jewish people and the Church of Christ Jesus could sometimes, in certain times and places, give the impression of being complete. In the light of the Scriptures, this should never have occurred. For a complete break between Church and Synagogue contradicts Sacred Scripture.”–The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible.

There are still many Christians of Jewish descent among Catholics who live as children of both worlds, myself included. Many are descendants of the Conversos who were expelled from Spain by promulgation of the Alhambra Decree of 1492. At the dawn of the 21st century Spain and Portugal began actively seeking ways to repair the wrong that occurred, offering restored citizenship to these descendants many of which are considered “Crypto-Jews” who despite being Catholic have kept their Jewish customs alive and well over the centuries. (A similar resolve is currently being considered by the State of Israel.) Some today live much like the original Jerusalem Christian community did in the first century.

Whatever negative changes have occurred among the two have not been so great that Divine Providence has been unable to overcome them. While neither side is currently claiming to have all the answers, many in Judaism and the Catholic Church have come to understand that God’s redemption appears to exceed greatly beyond the limits of denominational lines and theological differences.

For more on this you may want to read two important statements released at the end of 2015, one from the Holy See and the other a statement from Orthodox Rabbis.

“The Gifts and Calling of God are Irrevocable”–Catholic Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews.

Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity

Thank you for an uplifting account. Your second last paragraph is extremely interesting. Man finally realizing that God is not confined to the boxes of their own makng.