Prominent Rabbi Urges Pope to Say Jews Need Not Convert

Catholic World News ^ | 5/11/09

[marshmallow]

The co-chairman of the Bilateral Commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Holy See is urging Pope Benedict to state publicly that Jews need not convert to Catholicism. Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, who addressed the Synod of Bishops last October, writes:

In the Second Vatican Council and the Nostra Aetate document, it was made clear that no efforts would be made by the Catholic Church to convert Jews. Rather, the Jewish people should continue the faith of its forefathers as expressed in the Bible and rabbinic literature. The Jewish people remain a people of God’s covenant, a people chosen by God to give the world the Bible. Put simply, the Catholic Church accepted the theological principle that Jews need not change their religion to merit redemption. I hope you will take the opportunity during your visit in Israel to reiterate this fact … I do hope now to get your help as a religious leader-- as well as the help of the entire free world-- to protect, defend and save Israel, the one and only sovereign state of the "People of the Book" from the hands of its enemies.

The text of Nostra Aetate (the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions) does not appear to address the issue of Jewish conversion.

Sounding the depths of the mystery which is the Church, this sacred Council remembers the spiritual ties which link the people of the New Covenant to the stock of Abraham.

The Church of Christ acknowledges that in God’s plan of salvation the beginning of her faith and election is to be found in the patriarchs. Moses and the prophets. She professes that all Christ’s faithful, who as men of faith are sons of Abraham (cf. Gal. 3:7), are included in the same patriarch’s call and that the salvation of the Church is mystically prefigured in the exodus of God’s chosen people from the land of bondage On this account the Church cannot forget that she received the revelation of the Old Testament by way of that people with whom God in his inexpressible mercy established the ancient covenant. Nor can she forget that she draws nourishment from that good olive tree onto which the wild olive branches of the Gentiles have been grafted (cf. Rom. 11:17-24). The Church believes that Christ who is our peace has through his cross reconciled Jews and Gentiles and made them one in himself (cf. Eph. 2:14-16).

Likewise, the Church keeps ever before her mind the words of the apostle Paul about his kinsmen: "they are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race according to the flesh, is the Christ" (Rom. 9:4-5), the son of the virgin Mary. She is mindful, moreover, that the apostles, the pillars on which the Church stands, are of Jewish descent, as are many of those early disciples who proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to the world.

As holy Scripture testifies, Jerusalem did not recognize God’s moment when it came (cf. Lk. 19:42) Jews for the most part did not accept the Gospel; on the contrary, many opposed The spreading of it (cf. Rom. 11:28). Even so, The apostle Paul maintains that the Jews remain very dear to God. for the sake of the patriarchs since God does not take back the gifts he bestowed or the choice he made.2 Together with the prophets and that same apostle, the Church awaits the day, known to God alone, when all peoples will call on God with one voice and "serve him shoulder to shoulder" (Soph. 3 :9 cf. Is. 66:23; Ps. 65:4; Rom. 11:11-32)

Since Christians and Jews have such a common spiritual heritage, this sacred Council wishes to encourage and further mutual understanding and appreciation. This can be obtained, especially, by way of biblical and theological enquiry and through friendly discussions.

Even though the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ (cf. John 19:6), neither all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during his passion. It is true that the Church is the new people of God, yet the Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accursed as if this followed from holy Scripture. Consequently, all must take care, lest in catechizing or in preaching the Word of God, they teach anything which is not in accord with the truth of the Gospel message or the spirit of Christ.

Indeed the Church reproves every form of persecution against whomsoever it may be directed. Remembering, then, her common heritage with the Jews and moved not by any political consideration, but solely by the religious motivation of Christian charity, she deplores all hatreds, persecutions, displays of antisemitism leveled at any time or from any source against the Jews.

The Church always held and continues to hold that Christ out of infinite love freely underwent suffering and death because of the sins of all men, so that all might attain salvation. It is the duty of the Church, therefore, in her preaching to proclaim the cross of Christ as the sign of God’s universal love and the source of all grace.

[Natural Law]

And while they are at it maybe they can get him to renounce Christianity too.

[lormand]

Wouldn't it make more sense to pursue a "convert muslims" campaign instead?

I have yet to hear about Jews wanting to behead someone because they are not Jewish.

[nathanbedford]

The headline if not the substance of this article reminds me of the exchange between Ann Coulter and Danny Deutsch. At that time I posted this reply:

Please recall the exchange between Danny Deutsch and Ann Coulter when Deutsch professed real or feigned umbrage at Coulter when she suggested that Christianity held Jews needed a to be "perfected."

At the time I argued that Deutsch's position was intellectually as offensive as he claimed Coulter's position was. He argued that Coulter's position was offensive because it presumes superiority of Christianity over Judaism. But Deutsch's rejection of Christianity presumes superiority of Judaism over Christianity. Why is one more offensive than the other?

The author lays out the eternal tension between new and old philosophies. We should not be surprised nor should we be offended when someone else thinks his philosophy is superior to our own. Danny Deutsch it is clear, his religion aside, needs to be perfected.

[Frantzie]

Of all the things to be concerned about this is pretty low. Larry Kudlow becomes a Catholic and this rabbi is worried?

The rabbi should send a memo to all Liberal American Jews who voted for Hussein. He can use my example below.

Dear fellow faithful:

Are you people insane?!?

Signed, you friend the rabbi

Ditto the Pope. He should be in South Bend giving the liberal American bishops a major smackdown. Here is The Pope’s memo.

Dear Morons:

What are you thinking? No pro-abortion islamists will speak or receive awards at our schools. Your next job will be at McDonalds if you think God wanted to bestow awards on people who support partial birth and post birth murder. Don’t make me come see you.

Your boss,

The Pope

[MEGoody]

If Jews can live by the law perfectly, meaning they can't even think things they shouldn't, then they wouldn't need to be saved.

But we all know they can't do that. So. . .do they need to convert to Catholicism? No. Do they need the salvation that only comes through Christ, yes - as we all do.

[Williams]

Just wondering does the Catholic Church tell other religions not to convert Catholics?

[Uri’el-2012]

The co-chairman of the Bilateral Commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Holy See is urging Pope Benedict to state publicly that Jews need not convert to Catholicism. Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen

Torah observant Jews should seek their salvation in YHvH.

Psa 118:14 YHvH is my strength and song,
And He(YHvH) has become my salvation.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

[Campion]

Is the rabbi volunteering to help edit out the relevant passages of the New Testament, as well?

[Zionist Conspirator]

Okay . . . even I think this is going too far. He's the Pope, he's supposed to believe Catholicism is the "one true religion." Meanwhile, what kind of rabbi thinks Jews need the Vatican's permission to remain loyal to the Holy Torah?

This whole business is silly.

[Zionist Conspirator]

If Jews can live by the law perfectly, meaning they can't even think things they shouldn't, then they wouldn't need to be saved.

I realize this is a waste of time, but you are imposing an alien philosophy onto the Torah.

The purpose of the Torah is not "salvation." Torah observance is an end in and of itself. It is the reason the universe was created in the first place.

Since the Torah contains provisions for atonement for sin, the notion that the Torah "must be kept perfectly" is downright silly, since one must sin in order to have something to atone for.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Just wondering does the Catholic Church tell other religions not to convert Catholics?

Yes it does. And it labels non-Catholic missionaries "bigots."

[Zionist Conspirator]

Is the rabbi volunteering to help edit out the relevant passages of the New Testament, as well?

Is that any worse than chr*stian "higher criticism" of the Hebrew Bible that's gone on for almost two hundred years?

[TexasRepublic]

Jesus offered his gift of salvation to the people of the whole world. People as individuals should decide what to do with that offer. My soul’s destiny is a personal decision and isn’t the business of any racial or religious group.

[T Minus Four]

Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:31-32

[chuckles]

Actually, it sounds like a divine appointment for the pope to explain the sacrificial Lamb of God, provided by God, for the salvation of His people,.... sorta like the Lamb promised to Abraham as he reddied his knife to plunge into his son's chest. Jesus is that Lamb that magically appeared caught in the bush so Issac wouldn't have to die. He could also explain Psalms was a prophesy of the death of said Lamb. Did Jesus fulfill that prophesy?

If a Jew can be saved by following the Law, then a Muslim will attain Heaven by following the Law also.

[Obamageddon]

Is that any worse than chr*stian "higher criticism" of the Hebrew Bible that's gone on for almost two hundred years?

Is it now considered proper protocol at Free Republic to fail to capitalize the proper noun "Christian" with an astrick in place of the "i", while in the same sentence capitalizing "Hebrew Bible"?

How very talm*dic of you!

[topcat54]

Torah observant Jews should seek their salvation in YHvH.

If they were truly “Torah observant”, they would not try to be justified by the Law, but would already be followers of Jesus Christ.

"Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’" (John 1:45)

"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. " (Rom. 3:20-23)

[Sender]

The difference between Christianity and Judaism, namely the requirement to accept Jesus as the messiah as the only name by which one may be saved, has been on my mind a lot lately. I was raised as a Christian and I have no reason to believe that Jesus was not the promised Messiah. I also study the Torah, the immutable word of God which existed before creation, and which God used as the blueprint of all creation and the reason for our existence. On this we agree. My Christian fellows argue that without accepting Jesus as the Messiah, even the Jews are destined to Hell. This has always been a difficult thing for me to swallow, because if one loves God and studies the Torah as the reason for our existence, how can they be destined to hell? I have my flameproof suit on.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Actually, it sounds like a divine appointment for the pope to explain the sacrificial Lamb of God, provided by God, for the salvation of His people,.... sorta like the Lamb promised to Abraham as he reddied his knife to plunge into his son's chest. Jesus is that Lamb that magically appeared caught in the bush so Issac wouldn't have to die. He could also explain Psalms was a prophesy of the death of said Lamb. Did Jesus fulfill that prophesy?

Chr*stianity has made these assertions for two millenia. That in no way makes them true.

If a Jew can be saved by following the Law, then a Muslim will attain Heaven by following the Law also.

Salvation is not the purpose of Torah observance. Chr*stianity has to make that claim, of course, so their "messiah" can "fulfill" it.