Will my support for Israel and Jewish Traditions be accepted?

[Adoramus]

I am a supporter of Israel and I also respect Jewish traditions. For example, I try not to eat any pork, as the Torah suggests and I try to commemorate the Jewish feasts.
I only do such things because that is how our Saviour lived and I feel that if I observe aspects of Torah, I will be closer to Him.
I want to make it clear that I do NOT think these are “requirements” or anything. It’s a personal thing.

I was wondering if these things would be accepted when/if I become a Catholic or it’s something I would have to give up.

 

[laszlo]

Unless you believe that the Jewish tradition justifies you and not Jesus Christ, and do not believe that keeping certain traditions gives you special rights over other people; you are free not to eat pork, remember certain religious holidays etc God greatest gift is the freedom.

 

[puzzleannie]

you can be a supporter of the modern state of Israel without adhering to any Jewish “traditions”. For observant Jews they are more than traditions, they are laws and signs of God’s covenant with them. The Church does not have a position on the laws of other faiths, except what she settled through councils in the early Church (see the Acts of the Apostles), that gentiles are not required to be circumcised, become Jewish or observe Jewish laws outside the decalogue when they convert. Jesus not only established he IS the new Covenant and that is the one we obey as Christians.

During the process of becoming Catholic you will learn about that New Covenant and what it means and why it fulfills and completes the Old.

For a non-Jew to adopt outward Jewish observances can be seen by some Jews as offensive so in that regard you must be sensitive and charitable. If you are a Jew of course it is a different matter, and of course a Jewish convert to Catholicism may retain any custom that does not contradict the Faith.

 

[antonivs]

I am a supporter of Israel and I also respect Jewish traditions. For example, I try not to eat any pork, as the Torah suggests and I try to commemorate the Jewish feasts.
I only do such things because that is how our Saviour lived and I feel that if I observe aspects of Torah, I will be closer to Him.
I want to make it clear that I do NOT think these are “requirements” or anything. It’s a personal thing.

I was wondering if these things would be accepted when/if I become a Catholic or it’s something I would have to give up.

The following was written by Michelle Arnold in the Ask an Apologist Forum in answer to the question "Is it wrong for Christians to practice Jewish traditions?":

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.

source: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=549042

 

[Adoramus]

I of course don’t think it gives me “special rights” over anyone else in the faith. Like I said, it’s a personal thing and I don’t usually even tell people that I celebrate the Jewish Feasts or try to keep kosher or whathaveyou (I tell them I don’t eat pork but I don’t say why).
(I don’t wear tallit or anything like that.)

And it’s not my intent to offend other people, which is why at least IRL (I do blog about it but only to talk to other Christians who do the same), I don’t go around telling people these things.

Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and I know that observing aspects of the Torah (I don’t observe all of it!) won’t save me or anything. It’s just my own, private way of honoring Christ’s heritage and way of life. It doesn’t make me any special than someone who doesn’t.

I’ve been doing it for a few years now and since I’ve been looking to convert, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t taboo or anything.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I am a supporter of Israel and I also respect Jewish traditions. For example, I try not to eat any pork, as the Torah suggests and I try to commemorate the Jewish feasts.
I only do such things because that is how our Saviour lived and I feel that if I observe aspects of Torah, I will be closer to Him.
I want to make it clear that I do NOT think these are “requirements” or anything. It’s a personal thing.

I was wondering if these things would be accepted when/if I become a Catholic or it’s something I would have to give up.

Why should anyone support anyone who rejects?

 

[InquisitorMax]

Will you, ah, have the little operation, too?

 

[Lady_Marchmain]

I wanted to make sure it wasn’t taboo or anything.

I don’t see any conflict in anything you describe, unless you are so in the habit of observing a Jewish holiday that you would feel conflicted if there is a Catholic obligation the same day, or things like that. But, as you say, you are not a practicing Jew so that should not be a problem.

Actually I think this gives you an advantage and you may have opportunities here and there to enlighten some Catholics, as you will understand the historical meaning and inter-connectedness of many events, for example Passover/Easter.

One word of caution about “politics.” You’ve probably noticed that Catholics are not very consistent and the Church has people who voted for Obama (wrongly in my opinion), or Republican or Libertarian or Green. Of all religions, the Catholic Church in the USA is the most diverse politically, which is a cause for concern because it means people’s voting is not being informed by their faith. Otherwise we would be more consistent.

But don’t be alarmed to find someone who thinks the Palestinians are poor, downtrodden freedom fighters. There is NO typical view, you will find it all. I myself am extremely supportive of Israel. Politically I’m probably to the right of BiBi in this regard! But just so you know, it’s a mish-mash. Don’t be disappointed if all Catholics do not share your views on Israel. Also, politics is something rarely discussed.

 

[VivaCristoRey27]

Judaizing is a problem. Why do you do these things if you don’t think they are required and recognize that they are not a virtue?

 

[chosen_people]

I of course don’t think it gives me “special rights” over anyone else in the faith. Like I said, it’s a personal thing and I don’t usually even tell people that I celebrate the Jewish Feasts or try to keep kosher or whathaveyou (I tell them I don’t eat pork but I don’t say why).
(I don’t wear tallit or anything like that.)

And it’s not my intent to offend other people, which is why at least IRL (I do blog about it but only to talk to other Christians who do the same), I don’t go around telling people these things.

Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and I know that observing aspects of the Torah (I don’t observe all of it!) won’t save me or anything. It’s just my own, private way of honoring Christ’s heritage and way of life. It doesn’t make me any special than someone who doesn’t.

I’ve been doing it for a few years now and since I’ve been looking to convert, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t taboo or anything.

From a mainstream Jewish perspective, I doubt whether any Jews would be offended in any way. The contrary is true. Indeed, Jews have no need or wish to convert you (after all it is easier for the Gentile than for the Jew to get into the world to come). Indeed, such acts have no real religious value either from a Jewish or from a Christian religious perspective. However, they do reflect a positive, sympathetic and respectful attitude toward Jews and Judaism. For a people who has borne the brunt of religious anti-Semitism, of teachings portraying the Jews as a cursed and a malignant entity, such positive attitudes are indeed welcome .

 

[thistle]

I of course don’t think it gives me “special rights” over anyone else in the faith. Like I said, it’s a personal thing and I don’t usually even tell people that I celebrate the Jewish Feasts or try to keep kosher or whathaveyou (I tell them I don’t eat pork but I don’t say why).
(I don’t wear tallit or anything like that.)

And it’s not my intent to offend other people, which is why at least IRL (I do blog about it but only to talk to other Christians who do the same), I don’t go around telling people these things.

Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and I know that observing aspects of the Torah (I don’t observe all of it!) won’t save me or anything. It’s just my own, private way of honoring Christ’s heritage and way of life. It doesn’t make me any special than someone who doesn’t.

I’ve been doing it for a few years now and since I’ve been looking to convert, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t taboo or anything.

The Jewish people don’t eat pork as they consider it unclean. Jesus said it is not. Who do you think is right?

 

[Adoramus]

Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

I am glad that I will be able to continue.

As a final note, I’d like to once again say that the laws of Torah are no longer in effect and the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. I only celebrate these feasts and only a few select other things in private to feel closer to Jesus’ own Jewish heritage. His death on the cross made it so that we are no longer to obey the laws of Torah, however as our Messiah was alive, he did obey these laws as they were still in effect. My choice to follow some of these aspects give me no special place above others that don’t.
I do not wish to be Jewish.

I am glad Catholicism gives me the freedom to practice such things.