What is a Hebrew Catholic?

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Jews who convert to Catholicism are allowed to practice Jewish rituals because the CC does not view any Jewish faith ritual as being incompatible with Catholicism.
That’s kind of a sweeping statement. If I were you, I would qualify that to say that no Jewish faith ritual is incompatible for Hebrew Catholics. Non-Jewish Catholics should not be holding their own Seder meals or sacrificing lambs or wearing tallitot and phylacteries. In fact I don’t believe that even Hebrew Catholics are allowed to sacrifice lambs. Correct me if I’m wrong.
 
That’s kind of a sweeping statement. If I were you, I would qualify that to say that no Jewish faith ritual is incompatible for Hebrew Catholics. Non-Jewish Catholics should not be holding their own Seder meals or sacrificing lambs or wearing tallitot and phylacteries.
That’s exactly what I said. Read my entire post before you reply. Focus on these 5 words in the applicable sentence.(Jews who convert to Catholicism)🤷
 
That’s exactly what I said. Read my entire post before you reply. 🤷
No, the full statement, direct quote from you, is “because the CC does not view any Jewish faith ritual as being incompatible with Catholicism” - which could be interpreted by someone to mean that any Catholic can hold a Seder meal, wear tallitot and phylacteries, or sacrifice lambs.

Sacrifice of animals is a “Jewish faith ritual” that not even Jews do anymore. I challenge you to prove that bloody cultic sacrifice is compatible with Catholicism.
 
No, the full statement, direct quote from you, is “because the CC does not view any Jewish faith ritual as being incompatible with Catholicism” - which could be interpreted by someone to mean that any Catholic can hold a Seder meal, wear tallitot and phylacteries, or sacrifice lambs.

Sacrifice of animals is a “Jewish faith ritual” that not even Jews do anymore. I challenge you to prove that bloody cultic sacrifice is compatible with Catholicism.
That is not the full sentence and you know it. Read it again. This is the full sentence below. You have chosen to cut out a piece from the sentence. If they don’t do blood sacrifice anymore than it’s obviously not applicable. You are just being argumentative.

"Jews who convert to Catholicism are allowed to practice Jewish rituals because the CC does not view any Jewish faith ritual as being incompatible with Catholicism".
 
No, the full statement, direct quote from you, is “because the CC does not view any Jewish faith ritual as being incompatible with Catholicism” - which could be interpreted by someone to mean that any Catholic can hold a Seder meal, wear tallitot and phylacteries, or sacrifice lambs.

Sacrifice of animals is a “Jewish faith ritual” that not even Jews do anymore. I challenge you to prove that bloody cultic sacrifice is compatible with Catholicism.
The sacrifice of animals was performed only by the High Priest in the ancient Temple. Because of the fact the Temple has been destroyed, no Jews are permitted to sacrifice animals until the Temple is rebuilt. But since the reconstruction of the Temple is believed to be during the future Messianic age, animal sacrifice will probably no longer be necessary at that time. Therefore, to use this as an example seems misplaced.

More pertinent to your argument, however, is the Passover Seder, particularly the part during which the door is slightly opened to allow the Prophet Elijah to enter the home and drink from the Seder cup of wine. The implication regarding the coming of the Messiah would most likely be incompatible with Catholicism. Likewise, Yom Kippur, the High Holy Day of Atonement, may very well be considered anachronistic by the Church.
 
Hebrew Catholics subscribe to the doctrines of the Catholic faith and are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome. One point of differentiation lies not in dogmatic beliefs but in liturgical practices. For example, their liturgical calendar might differ from Latin Catholics in their retention of certain Jewish holidays.

Hebrew Catholics may celebrate Passover, Rosh Hashana, Shavuot, etc. and even wear traditional ritual wear like kippot, tallitot, tefillin, use mezuzot and keep many mitsvot (commandments) in the Torah as a sign of their heritage. Where these Jewish holidays and practices do not conflict with Catholic doctrine, they are kept for ethnic reasons, much as Irish Americans might celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Saint Paul the Apostle is mentioned in passing in The Acts of the Apostles to have observed the Jewish religious holidays (Acts 18:21; Acts 20:6; Acts 20:16).
 
The sacrifice of animals was performed only by the High Priest in the ancient Temple. Because of the fact the Temple has been destroyed, no Jews are permitted to sacrifice animals until the Temple is rebuilt. But since the reconstruction of the Temple is believed to be during the future Messianic age, animal sacrifice will probably no longer be necessary at that time. Therefore, to use this as an example seems misplaced.
The Catholic Church teaches that the Bishop holds the office of High Priest in the same way as the Jewish High Priests did in their order. She also teaches that the church building is a direct analogue to the Temple, including a sacrificial altar, a lamp which signifies the Burning Bush in the same way as the one described in Exodus, the Tree of Life signified by the Crucifix, and the Holy of Holies/Ark of the Covenant which is signified by the Tabernacle, in which is reserved the holy manna (Eucharist).

Now it seems rather absurd to draw this conclusion, but based on some of the arguments in this thread, if a Hebrew Catholic became a bishop, he might just think that he had a right to sacrifice animals on the altar in keeping with his Jewish rituals which “do not contradict Catholicism”.
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SAVINGRACE:
Where these Jewish holidays and practices do not conflict with Catholic doctrine, they are kept for ethnic reasons, much as Irish Americans might celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
Ah, so by this statement you admit that some Jewish holidays and practices do conflict with Catholic doctrine. Are those your own words, or a cut-and-paste from an article you are reading? One page ago you started this thread not knowing much at all about Hebrew Catholics.
 
Hebrew Catholics may celebrate Passover, Rosh Hashana, Shavuot, etc. and even wear traditional ritual wear like kippot, tallitot, tefillin, use mezuzot and keep many mitsvot (commandments) in the Torah as a sign of their heritage. Where these Jewish holidays and practices do not conflict with Catholic doctrine, they are kept for ethnic reasons, much as Irish Americans might celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Saint Paul the Apostle is mentioned in passing in The Acts of the Apostles to have observed the Jewish religious holidays (Acts 18:21; Acts 20:6; Acts 20:16).
I assume that any Catholic and not just Irish American ones can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. So can any Catholic also celebrate the Jewish religious holidays even if they are not of Jewish heritage?
 
I assume that any Catholic and not just Irish American ones can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. So can any Catholic also celebrate the Jewish religious holidays even if they are not of Jewish heritage?
Please read the following “Ask an Apologist” post. It contains important information from Michelle Arnold, an experienced, professional Catholic Answers apologist.

Is it wrong for Christians to practice Jewish traditions?
Michelle Arnold:
It is somewhat “fashionable” these days for Christians to explore the Jewish roots of Christianity (which is unobjectionable) and to indiscriminately take on Jewish practices and observances (which can be objectionable). Unfortunately, most Christians do not know Judaism well enough to understand that it can be highly offensive to Jews for Christians to treat Jewish traditions and observances as though they were toys to be picked up, tried out, and discarded at whim by non-Jews.

There are some Jewish practices that should never be “co-opted” by non-Jews. For example, Christians who are not of a Jewish background should never presume to wear a tallit (prayer shawl) or tefillin (phylacteries). Such an action would be gravely offensive to Jews, who believe that the tallit and tefillin should only be worn by a fellow Jew. (Christians of a Jewish background may retain their traditional observances under certain circumstances, but should be sensitive to the feelings of Jewish family and friends who might be upset to see such observances performed by someone they no longer consider to have a right to perform them.) As to other practices and observances, I can only recommend that Christians be very sure of what they are doing before presuming to, for example, hold a seder, wear a yarmulke, light a menorah, etc.

Taking on Jewish practices and observances of any kind is a very serious matter and not to be done merely because doing so seems “cool” or a “good idea.” If in doubt, don’t. It is far better to stick to one’s own traditions than to risk hurting and upsetting other people by indiscriminately co-opting theirs.
 
Please read the following “Ask an Apologist” post. It contains important information from Michelle Arnold, an experienced, professional Catholic Answers apologist.

Is it wrong for Christians to practice Jewish traditions?
The apologist said, “As to other practices and observances, I can only recommend that Christians be very sure of what they are doing before presuming to, for example, hold a seder, wear a yarmulke, light a menorah, etc.”

I’ve never held a seder myself, but I’ve been invited by Jewish friends to a seder at their own home before. I also had a Jewish friend give me a menorah (although I’ve never used it before).
 
The apologist said, “As to other practices and observances, I can only recommend that Christians be very sure of what they are doing before presuming to, for example, hold a seder, wear a yarmulke, light a menorah, etc.”

I’ve never held a seder myself, but I’ve been invited by Jewish friends to a seder at their own home before. I also had a Jewish friend give me a menorah (although I’ve never used it before).
There’s a significant difference between being a guest at an authentic Jewish celebration, and holding your own or attending one at a Catholic parish or Christian ecclesial community.
 
The Catholic Church does not allow any other ‘convert’ to the CC to practice rituals of their ‘previous’ christian denomination or faith. The Jews are the only exception to this rule.

For example a convert who was previously part of an Episcopalian congregation were they were eligible to marry their SS partner will not be able to do that once converted. Same applies for any other christian convert. A muslim convert would not be allowed to participate in muslim rituals. Same applies for Hindus, Buddhists etc.

The Jews are given special consideration by the CC due to their special status as belonging to the Chosen People and Elder Brothers in the faith. Jews who convert to Catholicism are allowed to practice Jewish rituals because the CC does not view any Jewish faith ritual as being incompatible with Catholicism.

The Jewish religious/secular/cultural community may and have disagreed with this practice.
Episcopalians who have converted to the Catholic faith do so because they want to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church. They wouldn’t be expecting to follow rituals that the Episcopal Church allowed and the Catholic church does not. Otherwise most of the liturgical worship and Eucharistic/communion worship mirror each other fairly closely.
 
I was also reminded of the papal announcement that Catholics are forbidden from prosletysing Jews.

David Moss and Roy Schoeman’s Journey Home story are very similar in that they both had ‘visions and encounters’ similar to Saul (St Paul). They were both in states of ‘ecstasy’ and came out of those states with a hunger to know his Church.
Pope Francis said no to proselytizing Jews but yes to evangelising. He said they are different things.
 
-]/-]There is quite a bit of misinformation in this thread. The term “Hebrew Catholic” refers simply to any Catholic belonging to the Vicariate of St. James. Some “keep” Jewish secular holidays simply for identity’s sake, but all are in full communion with the Church. Hebrew Catholic does NOT mean a Messianic Jew, or an eccentric fundamentalist. It just means any Catholic that has Hebrew as their mother tounge, pray in Hebrew-speaking churches, and etc.

A lot of information about the community can be found on their website:
www.catholic.co.il/index.php?lang=en
 
So I’m watching Journey Home with guest David Moss who is a Hebrew Catholic.

On the show he said Jews who come home to the Church prefer not to be referred to as ‘converts’ that they are simply fulfilling their Jewish faith.

They have accepted Christ as the Messiah, does that mean they are still Jewish?
It means they’re Christian.
 
Pope Francis said no to proselytizing Jews but yes to evangelising. He said they are different things.
What is the difference? You are giving information and educating on the Catholic faith in both terms.
 
What is the difference? You are giving information and educating on the Catholic faith in both terms.
“Proselytism” has the connotation of pressuring others to convert, of targeting groups specifically, using hard-sell tactics on them.
 
What might a soft-sell, non-pressured evangelizing consist of in approaching people?
Oh, you might found and run a major apologetics company in El Cajon, California, and produce radio shows, CDs, books, and a website that encourages Catholics to grow in faith and non-Catholics to learn more about the Church.

That’s just one example among many.
 
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