Replies

I am surprsed that RamBam’s kid would say that, still, Jr. had a rough life in Egypt, colored by the ignorance of the times and the resulting persecution.

That said, I understand there are intractable differences between Jews and Christians (and I have ZERO interest in pushing my religion on others), but I think SOME rundamentary understanding (understanding, not belief) of the theology of others goes a long way in preventing conflict.

In that vein, I’ve been reading the Talmud (in English) for that reason. Bought a JCC study book and just started at the beginning.

Periodically pray for understanding.

Theologically, for Christians (who know what they are talking about), it goes like this:

1. God is God. One God. No other God. Same God that promised Abraham, wrestled with Jacob, and plucked Daniel from the den of lions.

2. The promise to Abraham is a valid and binding promise (more on this later); covenent of Sinai a valid and binding deal, etc. (Sinia for Jews, Noahadic for everyone else).

3. The prophets were speaking from God, etc.

In sum, the entire “old testament” is true, correct, and completely valid. Jews were/are the Chosen People, the Apple of God’s eye. (Christians do differ on their interpretations of key prophecies from Jews, and bigoted Christians deny that Jews remain the Chosen People -— a position not backed up by the scripture, but you will sure find them, probably in response to this post.)

____ Now here is where the differences start _______

4. Christians believe Jesus is the Mesiah, and, as such, shared God’s perfect soul. He was different than God, in that he prayed to God, did not directly effect the material world, etc, except by-and-through the power/authority of God. (Not sure I understand the fine points of this.)

5. Christians believe Jesus is, in effect, a perfect King and replacement for the Aaronic priesthood at the same time -— e.g., the connection to God. This is why Christians pray “in Jesus’ name.”

6. Chrisitans believe Jesus was killed wrongfully. Jews would say he got what he deserved, as he was spouting heresy.

7. For Christians, the theological impact of this “death of an innocent” fulfils key scriptures, is a mirror of what God did not require Abrham to do with Issac, and, most importantly, was the ultimate fulfilment of the Mt. Sinai covenent and the “ultimate” Passover. (This is why Easter generally coincides with Passover.)

Trivia: the “Last Supper” was a Passover meal -— incomplete, with the final cup not drunk (to be completed upon return). “Communion” or “The Lord’s Supper” is similarly a truncated Passover ritual.

8. For Christians, the theological impact of this was to open up direct access to God to everyone on an equal basis. They are “ritually pure” by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, and can thus repent (and be heard by God), and otherwise seek to conform themselves to God’s will (the “Holy Spirit”) — still not sure why that counts as a third.

9. Christians believe they get into heaven by essentially an extension of the promise to Abraham — they are “grafted on” to the promise -— basically Jews by adoption.

10. Christianity is not, as some state, a “license” to do whatever you want. Mere “faith” may get a Christian into heaven, but “faith without works is dead” and not a proper fulfillment of a Christian’s obligations.

In short, While there is not a codified checklist like the 614 Mitzvah, there is still the obligation to conform to God’s will, with at least Eartly punishment for sins. The 614 (with the exceptions of those related to ritual purity -— e.g., food -— with the exception of meat with “lifeblood” which remains, although most Christians don’t realize that) remain a handy checklist for behavior and a “safe harbor” if you will. A Christian can muddle through just fine with the summary of “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.”)

That’s it in the basics.

There is bunch of stuff about Mary from Roman Catholics that I do not believe to be valid — I deem it a corruption from pagan Rome related to Diana worship. Opinions differ in this regard, and it distracts from the core above.