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According to Pagels, the story of the betrayal of Judas gave birth to an anti-Semitic sentiment among Christians.

I have never heard this theory. From what I understand, the origin of the deadly split between Church and Synagogue is not very clear. Obviously there were episodes such as the stoning of Stephen in the book of Acts, and Saul handing Christians over to the Priests as recorded in that same book. But Christianity was a sect of Judaism practiced solely by Jews until the dispersion after Stephen's stoning. The early followers of Jesus did their initial preaching in the Synagogue, only preaching to non-Jews after the Synagogue had rejected them. Peter had to have a visit from the Holy Spirit to preach to non-Jews and had to defend himself in front of a Council in Jerusalem for the practice. And even though Paul was considered the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was an observant Jew.

What we do know is, at some point the Jews added a 19th prayer to their list of 18 daily blessings, the prayer cursed the apostate. This is believed to be a curse against those who became Christians. Also (not sure which happened first) the Church decided that it was wrong to remain Jewish if you converted to Christianity and so outlawed Jewish observances.

To blame any of that on Judas, who was only one of 12 Jews who were considered Apostles, is just plain stupid.

Shalom.

Thank you for the post! Most fascinating.

I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith in a Maronite (Eastern) Catholic Church. Of all the Catholic Churches, the Maronites retain the Jewish heritage more than the others, through the use of Aramaic/Syriac in their liturgy and the architectural design elements of their churches.

What we do know is, at some point the Jews added a 19th prayer to their list of 18 daily blessings, the prayer cursed the apostate. This is believed to be a curse against those who became Christians.

Do you have a link? I would be most interested in reading through these prayers. Thanks!

And even though Paul was considered the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was an observant Jew.

Both the Christian Scriptures and the Jewish Scriptures were all written by Jews...

Yahweh and Yeshua are Zionists without exception or compromise... the Bible says so... (Jesus drives a Hummer with a Star of David on the doors.) Shalom.