In Theory

From earliest times, Catholicism was in conflict with Judaism. The idea that Catholicism had superseded Judaism was an essential ingredient of Catholic self-definition. Paul taught that the Mosaic Law was a mere step toward the final messianic perfection of the Incarnation. The early Church was preoccupied with proving the Divine rejection of the Jewish People, as well as the election of the “New Israel.”

We see this schema surviving in recent affirmations of the Church’s mandate to make apostates out of Jews. Validating the Church’s mission to the Jews demonstrates a derogation of Judaism. This spiritual imperialism is an affront to Judaism, which Jews consider to be eternally valid and covenantal.

Judaism does not believe that Catholics will automatically go to Hell or that Jews will automatically go to Heaven owing to the “correctness” of their respective faiths. Rather, individual ethical behavior is the vital determinant of our status in the Afterlife. Let us work together to conquer the ills that beset us in our common humanity, rather than work to conquer another’s faith!

Rabbi Mark Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

Inter-religious dialogue, in the view of the Roman Catholic Church, has never been about attempting to proselytize or coerce members of a different faith to abandon their religious convictions. Yet those participating in such dialogue need to understand the tenets of their respective faiths and not shrink from expressing it. It is not about walking on eggshells and doing one’s best not to offend the other side, though respect is of utmost importance. Rather, it is to understand as well as possible what one’s faith espouses, being able and willing to express it clearly, and being open to listen and learn to what those of other faiths believe.

That being said, if Catholic participants in inter-religious dialogue do not witness to Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind and synonymous with truth, it will not be possible for us to, in the words of Father James Massa, “speak as Christians about how we arrive at notions of justice, compassion and building up the common good — the very values our inter-religious dialogues seek to foster.”

Father Stephen Doktorczyk

St. Joachim Church

Costa Mesa

The conversion of Jews to become Catholics, has produced negative feelings to the Churchamong Jews, not to Catholics. The damage has been to the theologians, not between the average cultural Jew or individual Catholic. The damage has been to the Church and the Jewish leaders. The disagreements have come over theology, not people.

Catholics see God through Jesus, the Savior. Jews see God as the Creator. The Catholic concept of God is more personal. The Jewish God is more communal, national and universal. In Catholicism you have Grace. The Jews have the Torah and must be obedient to the Laws. Faith in Catholicism is foremost. In Judaism it is secondary to doing Mitzvot, good deeds. Catholicism stresses sin; Judaism stresses Tikun Olam, or “Repairing the world.” Judaism does not believe in the Devil or that man’s basic nature is evil.

In Rabbinic Judaism, after the beginning of the Christian era, Judaism rejected the idea of apocalypse or the coming of the Messiah, leaving it to Christianity, and concentrated on the Rabbis interpreting the Torah, the Law. Messianism and Resurrection found a dimmer light in Judaism, rather replaced them with the emphasis on Talmudic study and Halakah, the interpretation of the Oral Law. Jews who know these general principles have no problems with individual Catholics, only the doctrines of the Catholic Church. It takes a strong sense of being knowledgeable about religion to delineate the differences between two viable faiths.

The differences are with the faiths, not the people.

Rabbi Marc Rubenstein