Thank you for this, R. Rami. I am grateful that you addressed Brooks' essay. A family member forwarded it to me, saying it warranted "reading again and again." Well, one reading was enough for me. Here's a Jew who left Judaism for Christianity and sounding pretty confused as made obvious in the statement you noted "I feel more Jewish than ever." Whaa? I'm not particularly interested in the musings of Jews who have left the fold, especially now. What I do find interesting is the way in which you remain deeply rooted in Judaism while exploring and appreciating the deepest level of spiritual yearning, the place where world religions meet.
Thanks, Beth. There was so much David Brooks could have said. Or maybe he couldn't have. And the fact that so many people found his essay profound is sad. Every rabbis should have made Brooks' essay a sermon topic.
I wonder whether it makes sense for Jews to live in a Christian-majority nation. Brooks is clearly confused, and I am too. I appreciate the Papal effort to ameliorate the animosity, but it seems to remain pretty solid, if Brooks is to be believed. So why is it then so hard for many Christians to support Jews in our Israel homeland?
I think the problem people (not just Christians) have with supporting Israel is the behavior of the Netanyahu government. Zionism was a democratic dream that has devolved into a ethnocentric theocracy. That said millions of Christians support Israel, but they are Christians who themselves are theocratic rather than democratic.
Jesus death is redemptive for not only contemporary times but retrospective for all times, and for the future too.. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the redeemer for all times. He is the fulfilled empowerer.
I so appreciated this. I do remember the nuns stating it was the jews who killed Jesus in my elementary school religion class. It was a way of allowing you to 'hate' Jews without actually saying it. I was young and very quickly learned to question, thankfully. I also appreciated your succinct point about the big difference between the two religions is that sin looms very large in Christianity and that there is no intermediary within the Jewish religion. I for one have always gone direct. Over the years I have delved into religions and spirituality and have come away with deciding not to be involved with organized (institutionalized) religion; rather focusing on the Divine by reading and meditation. Blessings for 2025.
Rami, Rami, Rami -- so brilliant! Your mind is so heart-felt! I heard a Palm Sunday sermon years ago from a young minister who had converted from Judaism. She began by saying that Palm Sunday was the beginning of a celebratory week for Christians but historically a week of terror for Jews, since so many ministers continue to blame Jews for the crucifixion and set their congregants on a path of often violent retribution. She then asked the congregation how many had been divorced or knew someone who had been divorced. Almost everyone raised their hands. "And how do people talk about their former partner?" she said. "Do they speak lovingly or even neutrally? No, they feel betrayed and are more likely vindictive, focussing on everything the other person did wrong. This is how the authors of the gospels felt about the Jews: How could Jews not see that Jesus was the messiah? What was wrong with them? And so what has been misinterpreted for centuries as "the gospel truth" is actually emotional, vindictive language that reflects the pain of divorce."
Thanks for sharing Rabbi Rami, I always love reading your thoughts on Shabbat. I have the same thinking when Christian friends (or Catholic family on my Dad’s side) draw parallels to Judaism which are ill informed. There is also a perspective of Christianity being more modern, therefore perhaps right? Strange and unsettling.
Brooks sounds like he didn’t get the Jewish education he deserved- despite living in a community - and now is bumbling through Christian teachings, pulling quotes and feeling feelings. Which is largely fine, live and let live. But don’t misinform others about the tribe you left and never truly understood.
On most matters, David Brooks is a great resource. But on this one... not so much. Still it made me think and that is something. Happy New Year, Keziah.
Now THAT is the twist worthy of a Holy Rascal!
Thank you for this, R. Rami. I am grateful that you addressed Brooks' essay. A family member forwarded it to me, saying it warranted "reading again and again." Well, one reading was enough for me. Here's a Jew who left Judaism for Christianity and sounding pretty confused as made obvious in the statement you noted "I feel more Jewish than ever." Whaa? I'm not particularly interested in the musings of Jews who have left the fold, especially now. What I do find interesting is the way in which you remain deeply rooted in Judaism while exploring and appreciating the deepest level of spiritual yearning, the place where world religions meet.
Thanks, Beth. There was so much David Brooks could have said. Or maybe he couldn't have. And the fact that so many people found his essay profound is sad. Every rabbis should have made Brooks' essay a sermon topic.
I wonder whether it makes sense for Jews to live in a Christian-majority nation. Brooks is clearly confused, and I am too. I appreciate the Papal effort to ameliorate the animosity, but it seems to remain pretty solid, if Brooks is to be believed. So why is it then so hard for many Christians to support Jews in our Israel homeland?
I think the problem people (not just Christians) have with supporting Israel is the behavior of the Netanyahu government. Zionism was a democratic dream that has devolved into a ethnocentric theocracy. That said millions of Christians support Israel, but they are Christians who themselves are theocratic rather than democratic.
Jesus death is redemptive for not only contemporary times but retrospective for all times, and for the future too.. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the redeemer for all times. He is the fulfilled empowerer.
I so appreciated this. I do remember the nuns stating it was the jews who killed Jesus in my elementary school religion class. It was a way of allowing you to 'hate' Jews without actually saying it. I was young and very quickly learned to question, thankfully. I also appreciated your succinct point about the big difference between the two religions is that sin looms very large in Christianity and that there is no intermediary within the Jewish religion. I for one have always gone direct. Over the years I have delved into religions and spirituality and have come away with deciding not to be involved with organized (institutionalized) religion; rather focusing on the Divine by reading and meditation. Blessings for 2025.
Rami, Rami, Rami -- so brilliant! Your mind is so heart-felt! I heard a Palm Sunday sermon years ago from a young minister who had converted from Judaism. She began by saying that Palm Sunday was the beginning of a celebratory week for Christians but historically a week of terror for Jews, since so many ministers continue to blame Jews for the crucifixion and set their congregants on a path of often violent retribution. She then asked the congregation how many had been divorced or knew someone who had been divorced. Almost everyone raised their hands. "And how do people talk about their former partner?" she said. "Do they speak lovingly or even neutrally? No, they feel betrayed and are more likely vindictive, focussing on everything the other person did wrong. This is how the authors of the gospels felt about the Jews: How could Jews not see that Jesus was the messiah? What was wrong with them? And so what has been misinterpreted for centuries as "the gospel truth" is actually emotional, vindictive language that reflects the pain of divorce."
Thanks for sharing Rabbi Rami, I always love reading your thoughts on Shabbat. I have the same thinking when Christian friends (or Catholic family on my Dad’s side) draw parallels to Judaism which are ill informed. There is also a perspective of Christianity being more modern, therefore perhaps right? Strange and unsettling.
Brooks sounds like he didn’t get the Jewish education he deserved- despite living in a community - and now is bumbling through Christian teachings, pulling quotes and feeling feelings. Which is largely fine, live and let live. But don’t misinform others about the tribe you left and never truly understood.
On most matters, David Brooks is a great resource. But on this one... not so much. Still it made me think and that is something. Happy New Year, Keziah.
Happy New Year to you too!
Thanks. Well summarized