Posted on 12/26/2012 8:11:23 AM PST by Former Fetus
Rabbi Blech offering a (temporarily) free on-line course:
http://www.jewishpathways.com/course/deed-and-creed
Rabbi Benjamin Blech draws upon his 40-plus years as a practicing rabbi to explain fundamental philosophical and theological concepts of Judaism. Rabbi Blech’s premise is that Judaism is primarily a religion of actions rather than beliefs. He contrasts this with Christian theology, which many Jews mistakenly assume is similar to Jewish belief.
Each installment of this 18-part course includes a 15-minute video presentation, along with a few pages of required reading...
Oh, of course.
I presume they "knew" this "fact" because the authors' folks attended Midnight Mass to hear his sermons?
Or maybe they just caught it later on his Podcast?
Starting off a column with a thirdhand caricature of Catholicism is not a good note.
I was raised Catholic in a Jewish neighborhood. When Dad “played Santa” he would fill our stockings with “Chanukah Gelt’, (Chocolate Coins wrapped in Gold Foil stamped with the menorah and a Star of David). Of course, we were curious about the symbols on the foil and learned about Chanukah.
I will never know why Dad did this, as he is gone now, but perhaps he wanted us to understand and embrace our neighbors in the true spirit of Christian love.
Or maybe he just LIKED the Chocolate! :-)
I have always loved the Chanukah story because it appealed to my love of Freedom from oppression.
A Judeo Christan globe would be a much nicer place all around.
I think so too.
For some reason the Thread is not displaying my "Half Jewish Half Catholic 9 Days of Presents" Graphic.
So try this instead.
Before beginning this course, students will need to purchase the book, Understanding Judaism by Rabbi Benjamin Blech (available at Amazon.com). Each of the 18 lessons in this course will include a few pages of required reading from this book.
“Is Christmas good for the Jews”? Only if you believe Issiah.
I had the same thought.
As a lifelong practing Christian, the viewpoint of Judaism murdering Jesus is a grossly misplaced thought. Jesus freely gave himself up on the cross. It was not the Jews that put Jesus on the cross, but the sins of ALL men, to include we Christians, who so often have a nasty self-righteous attitude.
The free-will of the Judeo-Christian heritage, at Christmas time, Hanukkah, and ANY other time, is far supeior to Ramadan observance under threat of death.
good catch!
I see the book frequently at places like Half-Price Books, and lots of copies at libraries and synagogues.
Googling Benjamin Blech will yield los of on-line essays and audio.
Did you look at the book preview in Amazon.com? It has convinced me that it is a book that I want to read... but this close to Christmas I am looking for a copy cheaper than $43!. I have bookmarked the link to the course and pray that I can get the book while the course is still free!
“Starting off a column with a thirdhand caricature of Catholicism is not a good note. “
The pogroms were not a third hand caricature.
I too received the gold foiled chocolate coins in my Christmas stocking. I never thought much about it, figuring every kids received them. They were yummy chocolate and pretty too.
Most of my Jewish friends celebrate Christmas in some way or another. Usually they find a happy medium. They put up a Nativity but all the characters have a skeptical look.
Which pogroms are we discussing?
And let's be specific: dates and places.
Great Memories! :-)
Merry Christmas!
One of our Beloved elder Brethren.
Me too!! I grew up knowing both, which meant I was more informed than the average Jew and the average Catholic.
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