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Judaism It is important to study about Judaism because Christians are, in a sense, Judaic in their spiritual and religious roots. Jesus, his mother, his father Joseph, his cousin John the Baptist, and most of his followers were Jewish. They lived in the Jewish religious culture. They are as John Paul II said, “our elder brothers [and sisters.” Today there are different kinds of Jews. Basically, they all have the tradition that they hold religious values that are sacred to both themselves and Christians but they do not accept the belief that Jesus was totally human and totally divine. In the first century in Palestine, Jews were living under Roman rule and power. Some Jews were friends with the Romans like Herod the Great. He spent huge funds to improve and build the temple in Jerusalem to be bigger and more grand. Jews managed their own affairs, especially those of the temple by giving allegiance to the Sanhedrin. Some Jews found the management of the temple and the behavior of the Sanhedrin to be contrary to long held Judaic principles. High ranking Jews often wanted to impress their wealthy Roman friends and would forget their own spiritual obligations. There were distinct groups: the Pharisees, the Zealots, the Essenes, and the Sadducees. It is good to know their different positions and relationship to Jesus as recorded in the Bible. Many associate the Essenes with the community at Qumran and possibly with the hiding of the scrolls in the caves at the Dead Sea near Qumran. Jewish life at the time of Jesus in the first century could be hard for some. The very poor were called the Annawim. They were trying to establish a revolutionary movement. However, most scholars believe that Jesus and his family were not desperately poor but part of a higher level working class. Joseph was a carpenter. Some of the Jewish groups, however, were very unhappy with Roman rule and formed revolutionary reaction. We know that the Torah held the Pentateuch, the Writings, and the Wisdom books. Oral interpretation of the Torah came along gradually and was collected into sacred writings called the Talmud. Even later commentary with biblical exegesis (!!!) was called the Mishnah. A good deed or a law, or a moral teaching is called – and was then called – a mitzvah, plural mitzvoth. Jews believe in one God, named El or Yahweh. All other names for God relate to the meaning of “One.” The call to faith is found in Deut 6:4 and is called the Great Shema. Orthodox Jews write this on a tiny scroll and put it in a mezuzah on their doorposts in their homes and in a teeny box, a tefilin, tied to their head when they are at prayer. A prayer shawl is called a talit, worn during religious services and when a Jew, male or female, is at prayer. Every male child is circumcised at a bris milah. The rite of passage for boys is held at age 12 and called a bar mitzvah. For a girl, it is called a bat mitzvah. They learned to read the Torah in Hebrew and to express their faith in the temple before family and friends. It is something like the idea of Roman Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation. On pages 316 and 317 in our text there is an important section on the everyday life of Jews. Be sure and cover it and be able to recognize the italicized words. Passover, however, is a most important feast for Jews and for Christians. It celebrates the passage from slavery to freedom. This freedom, which exists in the loving bond of a covenant with God, is the core meaning of the Eucharist. Jesus was pointing out that He is, Himself, the Passover God. Today, there are three strands of Judaism: Orthodox Jews who cling firmly to ancient tradition, laws and customs; Conservative Jews who cling to the ways of true Judaism but adapt them somewhat to modern life; and Reform Jews (note: not “reformed”) who freely adapt their faith to modern times and often are less theistic. The relationship of Jews to Christians has historically had very rough periods. In the Middle Ages some Christian leaders blamed the death of Jesus directly on the Jewish race and carried out horrible persecutions against them, such as isolating their villages in Europe and not allowing them living wages and healthy living conditions. Later, the regime under communism and especially under Hitler carried out the horrendous Holocaust. Someday, you all should visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC – a Smithsonian Museum – and experience many of the terrible aspects of hatred and violence that humanity has known. This sense of blaming the Jews for the world’s trouble is called “anti-semitism.” You may be familiar with the short but pungent account of the holocaust in the book Night by Elie Wiesel. It’s a “must read.” Questions to ponder and comment upon ……….. 1) From what you have read in our textbook, learned in class, and in the Bible, how do you see that Judaism is connected to your faith? Do you think these connections have been overlooked in the preaching, teaching and ritual as you have experienced it in the church? 2) Have you ever been invited to a Seder meal? (Passover meal) If so, was it at a church or in a Jewish family home? Do you think that it might be important for Christians, and particularly Roman Catholics, to reinstitute the celebration of Passover in their homes? What reason would there be to do this? 3) How do you understand the problem of anti-semitism? Is there still a problem today? What can be done? What can each of us do? And how would these actions be “Christian”? 4) What about the public schools? Are we robbing our children of learning about the Bible, the heritage of Judaism and Christianity. Could it be taught so that our culture could appreciate the heritage of the monotheistic tradition? Can this be done without proselytizing, preaching, or pressure?