Skip to main content

How do the practices of Christianity and Judaism differ?

While Christianity can be said to stem from Judaism, since the primary religious figure, Jesus Christ, was a Jew, there are a few key differences between the two. Most importantly is the role of Jesus Christ himself. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, the savior prophesied to save the world from its sins. Jews, however, do not believe that Jesus is this savior, as their understanding of the prophecy was that the...

While Christianity can be said to stem from Judaism, since the primary religious figure, Jesus Christ, was a Jew, there are a few key differences between the two. Most importantly is the role of Jesus Christ himself. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, the savior prophesied to save the world from its sins. Jews, however, do not believe that Jesus is this savior, as their understanding of the prophecy was that the savior would be a warrior who would lead them to the promised land. As such, Jesus does not play a strong role in the Jewish theology, and any holy days associated with Jesus (Christmas, Easter, Advent, Lent, and several other Catholic holy days of obligation) do not exist in the Jewish calendar.


Furthermore, the central religious texts belonging to the two faiths differ in that the Christian Bible is significantly longer than the Jewish Torah. In fact, the first five books of the Christian Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (known as the Pentateuch), are in fact the Jewish Torah. However, the first half of the Christian Bible, the Old Testament, also plays a part as a religious text in the Jewish faith. The main difference is the fact that the New Testament, the latter half of the Christian Bible, is not considered a religious text in the Jewish faith, as it follows the life of Jesus Christ. For a more extensive and theological explanation of the differences between the Bible and the Torah, check the first link below.


Beyond these more theological differences, the Jewish and Christian traditions can be very different. In the Jewish tradition, the transition into adulthood is celebrated at thirteen by a Bar Mitzvah for boys and at twelve by a Bat Mitzvah for girls. In the Christian tradition, the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation is a similar celebration; however, it does not necessarily mark entrance into adulthood, but rather full membership within the Church, and is done at different ages depending on the branch of Christianity. Another difference occurs in traditions regarding death and burial. While expediency with regards to the internment of the body, as well as care that the body is intact, are crucial to the Jewish faith, Christians do not have any rules regarding how soon the body is to be buried. Furthermore, while Christians have a particular format for the funeral service (Catholics especially), Jews have a much more prescribed set of rituals to be followed to ensure the soul can return to its Source, which include the Taharah, in which the body is ritually cleansed, and Levayah, which is the funerary service. For more in-depth descriptions regarding the various traditions, follow the second link below for Christian traditions and the third link for Jewish traditions.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more