The basis of Judaism is the teaching accumulated in the Old Testament. The Orthodox Jewish religion does not recognize the sacredness of the New Testament, which contains the teachings of Jesus Christ. The religion of Christians, both Catholics and Orthodox, is based on the entire Bible as a whole, containing both the Old and New Testaments. Only Protestantism (one of the branches of Christianity) does not recognize the Old Testament.
General characteristics of Judaism
What similarities and differences do Judaism and Christianity have? To understand this, a general description of Judaism is necessary. This is not only a religious, but also a national, ethical worldview. Its bearer is the Jewish people.
Jews is an ethno-religious term. It denotes adherents of Judaism and anyone who is Jewish by mother. In ancient times, this was the designation for the Israelites from the clan of Judah. However, after the Babylonian captivity of Israel, they became the only representatives of their people. The center of the religious life of the ancient Jews was the Jerusalem Temple. It was destroyed in the 1st century AD. during the suppression of the Jewish uprising against Roman power. After this, the Jews once again scattered throughout the land.
Menorah - a ritual seven-branched candlestick, one of the symbols of Judaism
Previous Jewish dispersals occurred periodically throughout the first millennium BC. They were caused by the repeated conquests of the Jews by other peoples. For example, in the 8th century BC. The Assyrian conquest took place, and in the 6th century the Babylonian conquest. And from the 1st century BC. Judea was under Roman control and Jews settled throughout the empire. It was the national religion that played the most important role in their self-preservation as an ethnic group.
Modern Jews
According to 2021 statistics, there are 15 million Jews in the world. About 40% of Jews today live in the USA and Canada, 9% in Europe. 45% of them live in Israel. In this country, Judaism does not have the status of an official religion, but it is not separated from the state. For example, some Israeli laws are based on traditional Jewish law. Issues such as marriage, divorce, death are handled only by religious institutions. The Jewish Sabbath is a day of rest in Israel. Holidays also follow Jewish tradition.
The interpreters of Jewish law and the heads of communities are called rabbis. Jewish prayer gatherings are called synagogues. The symbol of Judaism in recent centuries is the six-pointed Star of David. Since ancient times, the symbol of the Menorah has been used - a seven-branched candlestick from the destroyed Jerusalem Temple.
Destroyed in the 1st century AD the temple was already the second in the history of the Jewish people. In its place stood the First Temple, built by King Solomon a thousand years before the birth of Christ. It was destroyed in the 6th century BC during the Babylonian invasion. However, the religious building was soon restored and existed for more than 500 years. Today there is a Muslim mosque in its place. From the Second Temple to our times, only a few ruins have survived (“Wailing Wall”). The Jews believe in the revival of their main shrine. They believe that the Third Temple will become a spiritual center not only for Jews, but for all humanity.
What is the Holocaust?
When people talk about the Holocaust, people usually think of the mass extermination of Jews during World War II as part of the “Final Solution,” a program planned and carried out by the National Socialist regime in Germany led by Adolf Hitler. The word “Holocaust” comes from the Greek language: the Greek word “ὁλόκαυστον” (holekaўston) is formed from two words /holos/, which means “completely”, and /kaustos/ – “burnt”. This name refers to the burnt offerings that the Jews offered in the Temple in Jerusalem under the Old Testament system of worship.
Still, the persecution of Jews by the Nazi Party began much earlier than World War II in 1939. Before the Nazi Party came to power on January 30, 1933, the leader of that party, Adolf Hitler, in his autobiography My Struggle (1925), openly expressed his hatred of Jews and his intention to remove them from the political, cultural and intellectual life of Germany . Even if nothing is written in this autobiography about the intention to exterminate the Jews, he still had this intention a long time ago. Back in 1922 he told Major Josef Hell, a journalist at the time:
As soon as I come to power, my first and most important task will be the extermination of the Jews. As soon as I have the power to do this, I will build rows of gallows - on Marienplatz in Munich, for example - as many as traffic allows. Then the Jews will be hanged without discrimination, and they will be left there until they stink; they will remain hung there as long as hygiene principles allow. As soon as they are untied, the next batch of Jews will be hanged, and so on, until the last Jew from Munich is exterminated. Other cities will do the same, in exactly the same way, until all of Germany is cleared of Jews. (Josef Hell. “Aufzeichnung”, 1922, ZS 640, p. 5, Institute of Contemporary History)
The Nazi Party's persecution of Jews began as soon as he came to power in 1933.
But if we talk in general about people's hatred of Jews, called anti-Semitism, its origins are much earlier in history. Four years ago we had the opportunity to visit Israel and we visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. This museum presents the history of the development of the anti-Semitic movement, which resulted in the Holocaust during World War II. It was with pain in my heart that I recognized the fact that Christians were the ones who contributed most to inciting hatred of Jews. Many Christian leaders, among them Martin Luther, John Chrysostom, were those who incited hatred towards Jews.
Judaism and Christianity: originally from the Old Testament
The Tanakh is the holy book of Judaism, largely corresponding to the Christian Old Testament, and also became the basis for the birth of Islam. It tells about the creation of the world and people by the Almighty, about the Divine law, as well as about the fate of God's chosen Jewish people.
The most important part of the Tanakh is the Torah (Pentateuch of Moses). It includes the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, received by the prophet from the Most High on Mount Sinai. The Pentateuch tells of events from the beginning of time to the death of Moses.
In the 3rd century AD, Jewish theologians compiled the Mishnah, a book of commentaries on the Torah. Later, the book Gemara was created, which is a profound commentary on the Mishnah. These two texts together make up the Talmud. All aspects of the life of a devout Jew, including secular ones, are regulated by the Torah and Talmud. For example, a Jew must have a beard, locks of hair at the temples (sidelocks), wear a small round headdress (kippah), and also undergo the rite of circumcision.
The Talmud teaches that sins can be blotted out through strict adherence to all religious injunctions. Rituals in Judaism are elevated to the level of dogma. Therefore, the Jews pay exceptional attention to their fulfillment.
Judaism and Christianity: common features
These religions have a common Old Testament basis. In this regard, many want to understand the topic “Judaism and Christianity: similarities and differences.” It is necessary to understand that Christianity arose in the context of Judaism. The Savior and the apostles were Jews both by birth and upbringing. Christianity was perceived by other Jews as one of the Jewish sects.
These religions are monotheistic. They teach about one God who created man in his own image and likeness. The Almighty is not only the Creator, but also a loving and helping Father for people. The dialogue between man and God is conducted throughout life, both at the individual level and at the level of the entire people and humanity as a whole.
Judaism and Christianity teach about man as a free, immortal spiritual being, called to spiritual perfection, knowledge of God and salvation. Also, Jews and Christians believe in a general resurrection of the dead at the end of time.
Judaism and Christianity share a common concept of church service to God. Christian worship has been greatly influenced by Judaism. For example, the church reading of the Holy Scriptures, psalms, as well as some prayers (“Our Father”) and prayer formulas (Amen, Hallelujah, Hosanna) were borrowed.
The Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist have Jewish origins. Thus, since ancient times, the Jews have had a rite of ritual cleansing through washing, called twila. The Eucharist includes such traditional Jewish elements as the breaking of bread and the cup of wine. They are used to celebrate the Jewish Passover (the day of remembrance of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt). The sacrament of the Eucharist was established by Jesus at a festive dinner with the apostles (Last Supper), which took place precisely on the occasion of Passover.
Jews and Christians: what's the difference?
How is Christianity different from Judaism? The Jews consider themselves to be God's chosen nation, which has a sacred mission - to teach all other nations the Divine truths. Jews believe in the coming of the Moshiach, that is, the Messiah, God's anointed one from the line of King David. It is believed that he will morally revive humanity, deliver the Jewish people from the power of the pagans and establish his great kingdom for the benefit of the whole world.
Christianity stands on the fact that the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Savior have already come true. Immaculately conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, the God-man Jesus Christ, through his sacrifice, atoned for the sins of mankind and ascended to God the Father. The Jews did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and are still waiting for the coming of God's anointed one.
Christianity teaches that we are all born with the mark of original sin and are cleansed from it by Christ (Rom. 5:12, 18-19). Original sin was committed by our first parents Adam and Eve. They fell away from God, violating His will, and were expelled from Paradise. According to the Jewish faith, every person is born pure and innocent. During his life, he himself makes a moral choice - to sin or not.
The concept of man in two religions
The Bible teaches that God originally created man and woman as two aspects of human existence. The Talmud says that God’s main creation combined both male and female principles. And the sexual division of human nature occurred later. Also in Judaism there is no moral ideal of non-resistance to evil through violence and love for enemies, which Christ taught (Matthew 5:38, 44). Justice as a legal concept in Judaism is higher than love.
Christianity claims that you can come to God only by following Christ. According to Judaism, a person can independently approach God. Deep Jewish faith is required for this only from Jews, who are entrusted with greater responsibility in connection with their chosenness. Another distinctive feature of Judaism is the closed national character of this religion. Christianity is world-wide and universal. According to the Apostle Paul, in it
“There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free, but Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:11).
What does the Bible say about nations' hatred of Jews?
In Matthew 23:29-39, the Lord Jesus tells the Jews that He will send them prophets, wise men, and scribes, whom they will put to death, and this so that on them may be “all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of Abel.” righteous unto the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom they killed between the temple and the altar.” And this will continue until they (the Jews) say: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” that is, they recognize the Lord Jesus as the Messiah (Christ). Next, Jesus spoke to His disciples, who were Jews, about the signs of the end of this age and His second coming. The Lord Jesus told them that before the end came, they would be tormented and hated by all nations for His Name:
Then they will hand you over to torture and kill you; and you will be hated by all nations because of My name ; and then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another; and many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and, due to the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold; he who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:9-13).
Do these warnings of the Lord Jesus justify people's hatred of Jews? No way. The Lord Jesus concludes this conversation with a description of His coming, when He will judge the nations for how they treated the people of Israel:
all nations will be gathered before Him ; and will separate one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats ; and He will put the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand: Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you accepted Me; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him: Lord! when did we see you hungry and feed you? or to the thirsty and gave them something to drink? when did we see you as a stranger and accept you? or naked and clothed? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? And the King will answer them, “Truly I say to you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.” Then He will also say to those on the left side: Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger, and they did not accept Me; I was naked, and they did not clothe Me; sick and in prison, and they did not visit Me. Then they too will answer Him: Lord! when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not serve You? Then he will answer them, “Truly I say to you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life. (Matthew 25:31-46)
So, the people of Israel will receive punishment for their error and disobedience, and the nations who will treat them badly, God's chosen people, will also receive their punishment. Let us be wise and deal wisely with God's chosen ones, even when they do not please God, as David did with Saul, who was rejected by God because of his disobedience:
And David and Abishai came to Saul's men by night; and behold, Saul lay sleeping in the tent, and his spear was stuck in the ground at his head; Abner and the people lie around him. Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day; So let me pin him to the ground with a spear with one blow and not repeat the blow. But David said to Abishai, Do not kill him; for who, having raised his hand against the Lord’s anointed, will remain unpunished ? And David said: As the Lord lives! may the Lord strike him down, or his day come and he die, or go to war and perish; May the Lord not allow me to raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed ; But take his spear, which is at his head, and the vessel of water, and let us go to ourselves. (1 Samuel 26:7-11)
Since the question was related to the Holocaust, I also have a question for you, dear readers: if you lived during World War II in a country that was not under the occupation of Nazi Germany, what could you do for the Jews and for all people who were tortured, abused, killed in countries occupied by Nazi Germany and in concentration camps? How could you help them?
Translation: Elena Stoler.
Is Christianity an independent religion or a Jewish sect?
Judaism considers Christianity to be its derivative religion, designed to introduce other peoples to the basic elements of the Jewish faith. Christianity views Old Testament Judaism as a divinely revealed preparatory step to the teachings of Christ:
“The Law given through Moses is a symbolic, consisting of hints, a contraction of future grace, announcing in images the fulfillment of future truth” (St. John Chrysostom, “Word for Easter”).
Why didn't the Jews accept Christianity? This question is not entirely correct. After all, some Jews accepted the Savior and became Christians. But there were also those who deviated from the Truth. Instead of going after the long-awaited Messiah, they crucified Him. Why didn't some Jews see Jesus as the Messiah? Here is what Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) says about this:
“The Old Testament sacred writers, predicting a bright future for Israel and even all humanity, had in mind spiritual, and not physical, benefits, contrary to the interpretation of later Jews... However, the Jews contemporary to the Savior did not want to take such a point of view and intensely thirsted for themselves, their tribe, external contentment and glory, and only the best of them understood the prophecies correctly.”
How the Jews Didn't Recognize the Messiah
The Savior denounced some of the Jewish high priests for their hypocrisy, pride and following only the external ritual law, and not the main moral one:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you tithe mint, anise and caraway seeds, and have abandoned the most important things in the law: judgment, mercy and faith; This ought to be done, and this ought not to be abandoned” (Matthew 23:23).
Jesus Christ pointed out that the Pharisees abolished God's commandments and gave preference to the commandments of men:
“You, having abandoned the commandment of God, adhere to the tradition of men, the washing of mugs and cups, and do many other things like this... Is it good that you cancel the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition? (Matt. 7:8-9).
The Savior told the people:
“Therefore whatever they command you to observe, observe and do; But do not do what they (the Pharisees) do, for they say and do not” (Matthew 23:2).
So, it was spiritual poverty and pride that did not allow many servants of the Mosaic Law to see the Messiah in Christ.
Thus, the new Jewish faith is not fully the same that was given to the Israelites through the Old Testament prophets. Modern Judaism is to a large extent the fruit of human inventions and the influence of various magical and superstitious movements (Kabbalah, etc.).
The first Jewish Christians continued to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses. However, these two religions were rapidly moving away from each other. Formally, the final break between Judaism and Christianity was recorded at the First Council of Nicaea in 325.
Do we need to ask for forgiveness from those whom we did not oppress?
Some Christians have a sensitivity to sin that was not committed by them. They either repent of the murder of the royal family or the oppression of blacks. What can I say, people often like to repent of what they didn’t do, and when you point out their true problems, it seems to them that this has nothing to do with them. This is a false sense of shame and remorse. Although you can understand what is happening in a Christian way. We are faced with a situation where a more developed person oppresses a less developed person and cruelly exploits him. We need to think: isn’t the same thing happening in my life, am I exploiting someone? Being perhaps more developed, am I not oppressing my brothers and sisters? As an employer, am I putting the people who work for me in a slave position? And then, having found specific problems in your life, you need to repent. And confessing something you didn’t do is very convenient. This is the same situation as if people say: “I repent of everything.” In fact, such people do not repent of anything.
The line between good and evil deeds is very thin, and sometimes it is so difficult to discern your sins. There are no fewer exploiters now than there were before. Aren't our pensioners in a slave position? Isn't the labor of workers exploited everywhere? So why talk about America if we have enough of our own oppressed? One must repent of one’s own, only this makes sense both for the human soul and for his neighbors. If you are concerned about the fate of blacks abroad, take a close look at your life. Perhaps you don't want to see yourself as an oppressor.
Archpriest Vladimir Shutov
