Thoughts on whether Judaism is more similar to Catholicism or Protestantism

[meltzerboy]

I’ve been debating online with some (former) Protestants who now claim themselves as part of the “Hebrew Roots Movement”. To be short, they consider themselves Christians, but they also believe that they must follow Old Covenant laws, celebrate the High Holidays (of course, cause we Catholic pagans changed the sabbath), etc.

When I asked one what they were doing, using a computer and breaking the sabbath, they treated me like I was insane. When quoted that interpretation of the Mishnah, they rolled their eyes, claiming it “the traditions of men”.

That had a familiar ring to it.

Jews have the Torah, but they also have the “Oral Torah”, which most Jews accept as equally important. There are a few Sola Scriptura sects, one I can think of is the Kairites.

Jews and Catholics both have Oral/Apostolic traditions that are a large part of our faith.

Protestanism can’t compare.

Good point, scipio, about the importance of tradition in Judaism, with the exception of the Karaites, in the form of the Oral Law (Talmud) to complement the Written Law (Torah), which is comparable to Church Tradition in Catholicism. These traditions present us with continuous revelation in which the faith is passed down from one generation to the next. Not only is Judaism not a sola scriptura religion, it is not a sola fide one either. Works as a manifestation of faith are very important in Judaism, as they are in Catholicism. To be fair, however, not all denominations of Protestantism are sola fide.

 

[kyrie80]

In a way, of course, Judaism resembles neither with respect to its position about Jesus and the Trinity; while on the other hand, it resembles both as the elder Abrahamic monotheistic faith from which Christianity and some of its rituals derive, as well as the cultural and religious roots of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and the Apostles. However, I present this statement particularly with regard to such Protestant ideas as sola scriptura and sola fide (while recognizing significant variations between different dominations) and Catholic concepts such as Church tradition, papal infallibility, and final authority. Having learned quite a bit about Catholicism (as well as Protestantism) on this Forum, I’ve been thinking about these issues and Judaism’s relation to them. For example, it seems to me Judaism is closer to Catholicism with regard to the importance of tradition as a complement to and interpretation of scripture; yet resembles Protestantism more concerning individual interpretation of scripture without recourse to a single authoritative source in the form of dogma and doctrines of the Church. I personally find this division interesting. Any thoughts on the matter of similarities are welcome.

Not only that, but Catholics have carried over some practices that the Jews have practiced, and still do to this very day such as praying to the dead. Most Protestants do not do this. Also, Jews are works-oriented like Catholics (Protestants downplay works).

 

[Miriam1947]

Rosalind Moss convert from Judaism.

A rolled-away stone gathers Moss: from Judaism to Catholicism

How does a Jewish person of faith convert to Catholicism? To judge by Rosalind Moss’s eighteen-year journey into the Church, the answer is . . . very slowly. Raised in Brooklyn, in a conservative Jewish home with one older brother and one younger sister, Moss never even considered that she would ever be anything other than Jewish. “It’s what I was. We were God’s people. That was my identity,” says Moss.

“We waited for the Messiah to come,” adds Moss, “but He never did.” As a teenager, her brother David became an atheist; Rosalind became agnostic. “I figured that there was a God, but how could you know? I longed for meaning and purpose and to know why mankind was on the earth, but didn’t think that you could find God, or that merely knowing He existed could make a difference.”

“When I was thirty-two years old, I heard about Christ for the first time,” recalls Moss. “David brought me an article that said there were Jewish people who believed that Christ was the Messiah. I asked my brother, ‘You mean to tell me that the Messiah was already here? That He was the only hope the world ever had, and yet the Jewish people didn’t know this? That He came and left and there has been no impact, no change, no peace? That’s just insanity.’” . . .

Moss admits that her conversion has given her a far better understanding of what it means to be Jewish. “The most Jewish thing a person can do is to become Catholic. When I was trying to save my brother from becoming Catholic, I went to Christmas Mass with him. Afterwards, I told him, ‘That’s a synagogue, but with Christ!’”

She draws comparisons between the Passover and the Lord’s Supper. “Passover was celebrated to point to Israel’s temporal deliverance from bondage to Egypt. The final Passover, the Last Supper, points to our eternal deliverance from bondage to sin. Both events required the participants to eat of the lamb.”

“My heart was taken halfway to heaven. I never believed that there could be such a design.”

freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1998138/posts (I give this link reluctantly since there are so many anti-Catholics there)

Rosalind Moss is now a nun. Sr. Rosalind Moss. How cool is that?

 

[Cider]

In a way, of course, Judaism resembles neither with respect to its position about Jesus and the Trinity; while on the other hand, it resembles both as the elder Abrahamic monotheistic faith from which Christianity and some of its rituals derive, as well as the cultural and religious roots of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and the Apostles. However, I present this statement particularly with regard to such Protestant ideas as sola scriptura and sola fide (while recognizing significant variations between different dominations) and Catholic concepts such as Church tradition, papal infallibility, and final authority. Having learned quite a bit about Catholicism (as well as Protestantism) on this Forum, I’ve been thinking about these issues and Judaism’s relation to them. For example, it seems to me Judaism is closer to Catholicism with regard to the importance of tradition as a complement to and interpretation of scripture; yet resembles Protestantism more concerning individual interpretation of scripture without recourse to a single authoritative source in the form of dogma and doctrines of the Church. I personally find this division interesting. Any thoughts on the matter of similarities are welcome.

I’d say Catholicism more closely resembles Temple Judaism and Protestantism more closely resembles modern Rabbinic Judaism. At least that is my opinion as an ex Jew and current Catholic.

 

[CopticChristian]

In a way, of course, Judaism resembles neither with respect to its position about Jesus and the Trinity; while on the other hand, it resembles both as the elder Abrahamic monotheistic faith from which Christianity and some of its rituals derive, as well as the cultural and religious roots of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and the Apostles. However, I present this statement particularly with regard to such Protestant ideas as sola scriptura and sola fide (while recognizing significant variations between different dominations) and Catholic concepts such as Church tradition, papal infallibility, and final authority. Having learned quite a bit about Catholicism (as well as Protestantism) on this Forum, I’ve been thinking about these issues and Judaism’s relation to them. For example, it seems to me Judaism is closer to Catholicism with regard to the importance of tradition as a complement to and interpretation of scripture; yet resembles Protestantism more concerning individual interpretation of scripture without recourse to a single authoritative source in the form of dogma and doctrines of the Church. I personally find this division interesting. Any thoughts on the matter of similarities are welcome.

With all respect, forgive this Goyim, however when speaking of modern Judaism and Judaism of the Old testament are we not speaking of different things. Old Testament Judaism required a temple, temple sacrifices, blood of animals, high priest etc and today what we have is what is called Rabbinical Judaism of many different types. To compare Rabbinical Judaism with the stream of thought, Christianity would be in my opinion difficult, now I say forgive this Goyim.

 

[PbloPicasso]

With all respect, forgive this Goyim, however when speaking of modern Judaism and Judaism of the Old testament are we not speaking of different things. Old Testament Judaism required a temple, temple sacrifices, blood of animals, high priest etc and today what we have is what is called Rabbinical Judaism of many different types. To compare Rabbinical Judaism with the stream of thought, Christianity would be in my opinion difficult, now I say forgive this Goyim.

In understanding Judaism, it is significant in understanding this fact. Rabinical is much different than sacrificing animals for atonement. After the Temple was destroyed it ended the era of true Judaism… . I’ve been researching this for quite a while and this is also what I’ve uncovered so far.

 

[meltzerboy]

With all respect, forgive this Goyim, however when speaking of modern Judaism and Judaism of the Old testament are we not speaking of different things. Old Testament Judaism required a temple, temple sacrifices, blood of animals, high priest etc and today what we have is what is called Rabbinical Judaism of many different types. To compare Rabbinical Judaism with the stream of thought, Christianity would be in my opinion difficult, now I say forgive this Goyim.

You are forgiven, my son or daughter. (I try to avoid using the word goy–plural: goyim–since it has become pejorative in Jewish circles, though it was not always so.) But you’re right that certain aspects of Judaism are not exactly the same. However, Jews themselves don’t make as much out of the changes. For example, although animal sacrifice can no longer be practiced since the destruction of the Temple, this means of atonement was NEVER regarded according to Torah Law as the principal means. Prayer was ALWAYS preferred, as well as seeking forgiveness from others and charity in the form of good deeds. (Incense was also used at the time.) It is likewise true that the interpretations and practices of Rabbis have replaced those of the High Priests and the revelations of the major Prophets. While the latter no longer exist–but are prophesied to return with the coming of the Messiah–there are still certain minor-prophet revelations in Judaism spoken and written by some of the great modern Rabbis. In addition, revelation in Judaism is ongoing in the form of the Oral Law, which continues the traditions of the past from generation to generation.

 

[CopticChristian]

You are forgiven, my son or daughter. (I try to avoid using the word goy–plural: goyim–since it has become pejorative in Jewish circles, though it was not always so.) But you’re right that certain aspects of Judaism are not exactly the same. However, Jews themselves don’t make as much out of the changes. For example, although animal sacrifice can no longer be practiced since the destruction of the Temple, this means of atonement was NEVER regarded according to Torah Law as the principal means. Prayer was ALWAYS preferred, as well as seeking forgiveness from others and charity in the form of good deeds. (Incense was also used at the time.) It is likewise true that the interpretations and practices of Rabbis have replaced those of the High Priests and the revelations of the major Prophets. While the latter no longer exist–but are prophesied to return with the coming of the Messiah–there are still certain minor-prophet revelations in Judaism spoken and written by some of the great modern Rabbis. In addition, revelation in Judaism is ongoing in the form of the Oral Law, which continues the traditions of the past from generation to generation.

My Jewish friend this is Catholic pure and simple. No one is able to interpret alone and needs guidance. Prayer and Charity is pure and simple Catholicism. One of my favorite movies of the Coen brothers is a simple man. You may find this nonsense however in my opinion it gathers the relevance of searching and the down to earth understanding of the Rabbi. I do love Rabbi’s. “A Simple Man” by the Coen brothers is a series of attempts to get to the senior rabbi that understands life in such a simple way and in my experience is how Jews see life…not so complicated.

 

[StrawberryJam]

My Jewish friend this is Catholic pure and simple. No one is able to interpret alone and needs guidance. Prayer and Charity is pure and simple Catholicism. One of my favorite movies of the Coen brothers is a simple man. You may find this nonsense however in my opinion it gathers the relevance of searching and the down to earth understanding of the Rabbi. I do love Rabbi’s. “A Simple Man” by the Coen brothers is a series of attempts to get to the senior rabbi that understands life in such a simple way and in my experience is how Jews see life…not so complicated.

Friendship or otherwise, I suggest you not be so smug in your reply. It is not pure and simple at all.
Ability to interpret is not so cut and dry.
Prayer and Charity existed pre-Jesus.

Please reconsider your viewpoint.
You keep repeating that you love Rabbi’s.

How many do you love?