Questions tagged [christianity]

Questions related to how Judaism regards or relates to the Christian religion or its followers. NOTE: Questions that require independent expertise in Christianity to answer are off-topic.

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May one park in a Church across the road which charges a daily parking fee?

Is it permitted to park in a church which charges a daily fee for use of its parking lot? Possible concerns might be: Someone who knows the owner's car may think he has gone in to worship. The money ...
Yehuda's user avatar
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Do Jewish people believe that Jesus existed? [closed]

Are there any evidence in Judaism that the man Jesus son of Joseph and Mary existed and if so are there dates associated with his birth and death?
Pam's user avatar
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I was raised Luthern. My last name is apparently Jewish [duplicate]

I am looking for answers. I have discovered my last name is considered a Jewish name. Glasser. I was raised Lutheran,as are all of my family. Is it possible to become Jewish even though I believe in ...
Jeremy Glasser's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
749 views

How would first century Jews in Judea have reacted to the Jesus Movement's messianic claims?

My understanding is that first century Jews in Judea, Jerusalem, etc, would have known that Jesus could not possibly be the messiah, because the messiah was expected to be triumphant in life, and no ...
Wad Cheber's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
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Before or during Jesus's time, what other notable Jews claimed to be or hinted at being the Messiah?

I have heard growing up that many people around and before Jesus' time claimed to be the Messiah and/or claimed to be God, so Jesus had to "up the ante" and perform miracles. Who else has claimed to ...
LCIII's user avatar
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-8 votes
4 answers
758 views

Why does Orthodox Judaism not believe in the New Testament? [closed]

Why do Orthodox Jews not believe in the New Testament?
alyssaeliyah's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
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Is the Gemara (Shabbos 116b) quoting the New Testament?

The Gemara in Shabbos (116b) seems to have two quotes from the New Testament, but I'm not sure. ברא וברתא כחדא ירתון - sons and daughters should inherit together and אנא לא למיפחת מן אורייתא ...
clum's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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What is the difference between HaSatan, Luficer and the Serpent [closed]

I am working on a paper for one my classes and I routinely run into the question of whether or not jewish individuals believe in view Satan in the same way Christians do. More specifically, are the ...
Eric's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
309 views

What do Jews believe happens to Christians when they die? [duplicate]

I've been reading a lot about Judaism and Christianity lately, and how people say they're completely incompatible, so my question is, given the differences between them, what do Jews think happen to ...
Jmd82's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
527 views

Mary Jesus' mother or Mary Magdalene?

The Gemara in Chaggigah (4b) mentions a woman by the name of Miriam Megadla Se'ar: זיל אייתי לי מרים מגדלא שיער נשייא Which means she was a "grower of woman's hair" which is to mean she was a hair ...
Shoel U'Meishiv's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
134 views

Can a tour guide for Christian groups cite Christian verses as part of his job?

Someone I know (Jewish, of course ;-) is a tour guide in Israel. He specializes in guiding Christian Pilgrim groups. They visit primarily Christian sites. Usually, as part of explaining a tourist ...
DanF's user avatar
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5 votes
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Waving or otherwise recognizing the English flag and its variants

Related to this question and this question the English flag and many of its variants from former colonies have the cross of someone who is recognized as a saint by Catholics, George. This cross was ...
Yishai's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
465 views

Status of Catholic saints in Judaism

Roman Catholics and other branches of Christianity have a concept of sainthood, where they bestow a status to someone based on posthumous miracles attributed to them. They also pray to them. ...
Yishai's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
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Record of Disputation of Paris

Is the record of the disputation of Paris that took place in 1240, I believe called sefer havikuach, available for free online?
mevaqesh's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
704 views

Working for (non-Jewish) religious organizations

Is there anything in Jewish law restricting Jews from working for other religious organizations? Some examples: can a Jew work as a receptionist at a Mosque? As a gym teacher at a Catholic school? As ...
wonderingjew's user avatar
14 votes
2 answers
587 views

Does one make a Bracha when seeing the Pope?

Is he considered either a king or a great non-Jewish scholar?
Aaron Ross's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
1k views

Source of Ramban's famous debate

Where can one find the 'disputation of Barcelona' between Pablo Cristiani and the Ramban?
El Shteiger's user avatar
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15 votes
1 answer
550 views

Is there a problem with saying "for Pete's sake"?

Is there a halachic issue with invoking the name "Peter," or, as is more commonly used, "oh, for Pete's sake!," which I assume is a reference to Saint Peter. Wikipedia agrees with this conjecture, ...
MTL's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
929 views

May Jews sell wine to Christians for them to use in their religious ceremonies?

(This question is based on an older one which Rabbi Levi Cash posted a few years ago.) Under Charlemagne in the 8th century and the Carolingian emperors, Jews provided wine for Christian mass. But I ...
unforgettableidSupportsMonica's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there a halachic problem with saying "Christ" as a name?

Since (according to the Gra (YD 147:3), cited in this answer), there is no issue in saying the name "Jesus," would there be an issue in saying the name "Christ"? This name might be ...
Chiddushei Torah's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
409 views

Christmas and Ex-mas

Why do some Jews refer to Christmas as Ex-mas? Is there anything wrong in Jews saying Christmas?
Chiddushei Torah's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
272 views

Is there a problem 'wearing' a virtual Saint Lucia hat?

Is there any prohibition, perhaps related to lo teileichu b'hukat hagoyim, in "wearing" a virtual hat which celebrates Saint Lucia day? Related
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1 vote
0 answers
82 views

Who is the nation/kingship of Edom? [duplicate]

There are/were 4 kingship's (malchuyos) described in Sefer Daniel. Edom, being one of them (I think?), is often explained to be the Roman Empire. 1- What is the source to say that Edom was the Roman ...
Gavriel's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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Christianity as a test for jews

I was looking for sources demonstrating Christianity as a test for Jews. My search began when I was reading Rambam in Mishneh Torah (Laws of Kings 11:4; English): [...] Can there be a greater ...
Renato S. Grun's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
195 views

Kaarite rebuttal of the new testament

A while ago I was pointed to a Kaarite rebuttal of the New testament from a few centuries ago. I found it online with an interactive chapter by chapter format. Now I can't remember the name or find it ...
user6591's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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What does the talmud/rabbinic writing have to say about Yeshu ha-Notzri (Jesus)?

I understand that the name Jesus was not uncommon 2000 years ago, and Jewish writings about the person of historical interest to the Christian Church call him "Yeshu ha-Notzri" = "Jesus the Nazarene". ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
255 views

What is the source for Rav Soloveitchik's assertion that 1st Century Christians introduced mixed seating for prayers?

In the collection of Rav Soloveitchik’s responsa Community, Covenant and Commitment, there is a series of letters railing against mixed seating in the synagogue. Amongst the points raised there is a ...
user6591's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
431 views

Does the Jewish tradition command Jews to love Christians?

Does the Jewish tradition command Jews to love Christians, who believe in a triune (trinity) God and believe that Jesus is God or a part of the triune God? If so does this extend to fringe minority ...
Mikoel Hamm's user avatar
18 votes
2 answers
5k views

Is it problematic to own and use a SwissGear bag, due to the "plus" logo?

SwissGear brand bags and back packs have the image of the Swiss flag (usually in color, red and white, and made out of a hard material) sewn into the material. Often the Swiss flag's image is put on ...
Gavriel's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
64 views

How can Jewish merchants sell their wares to Christians before their holidays? [duplicate]

The first perek of Avoda Zara makes a strong pronouncment that it is forbidden to sell or buy from an idol worshiper close to his holidays, because by doing so, you help him celebrate that holiday. ...
Bruce James's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
288 views

Why were the Ma'amad afraid of the Notzrim?

There is an interesting brief discussion at Taanis 27b which says that the Ma'amad would fast four days a week -- but never on Sunday. According to Rabbi Yochanan it is because they were afraid of ...
Bruce James's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
901 views

Is it permissible to write the English/secular date?

Is it permissible to write the secular/Christian date? Example: On a letter (bad example but you get what I mean). Some conceivable issues: We're told "this month (Nisan) shall be for you the head ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
203 views

Prayer in the "House of the One"

I recently read this article on the new "House of the One". The building will feature three separated spaces for prayer: a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. There will be a central courtyard, but ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
346 views

Is Gideon's bible in my hotel room a problem?

I'm not exactly sure how a standard hotel room contract works, but assuming I am renting the room and have ownership-like responsibilities for everything in it, is it a problem if there is a Gideon's ...
not-allowed to change my name's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
788 views

Is the Christmas tree an Ashera?

Do any poskim equate Christmas trees with the Ashera tree mentioned in the Gemara?
AKayser's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
601 views

Is it permitted and possible to convert a Christian to Judaism without approaching rabbinical authorities?

Are private conversion without involving a Rabbi possible? Like converting a Christian without making it public, not even to rabbis thus doing the conversion rituals on our own?
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
360 views

Should a Christian church as a whole be seen as an Idol Halachically

Churches here have a highly visible protruding cross (which is an Idol) on the roof and at many places all over the structure, does that mean the church itself becomes an Idol, i.e a large Idol, also ...
user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
326 views

Messianic Jew and Wine

At what stage does a born-Jewish messianic Jew's presence at and/ or participation in an Orthodox synagogue's kiddush make wine 'Yayin Nesech'?
user5314's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
948 views

Laws of Abrogation

To my limited knowledge there is no such thing as "abrogation" within the Tanach. Such would seem to defeat the immutability of G-d's Law. This issue of abrogation comes up a lot in both Christian and ...
Yochanan Michael's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
899 views

The "New Covenant" in Jeremiah's Prophesy

I am certain there must be a great answer to this question. Please inform me, as my learning is not so great and I have only started on the study of the Scriptures. Many Christians use the text of ...
Yochanan Michael's user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
503 views

Jewish alternative to a Christian self-help book

I had a bad psychological trauma some time ago and I felt the urgent need to review myself. I found that reading self-help books helped me. I tried to learn Mussar books (Mesillat yesharim, Chafetz ...
Bachur's user avatar
  • 101
2 votes
1 answer
723 views

What are the months of Jewish civil and religious calendar?

I understand that Jewish religion has two calendars; one is Civil for Kings, childbirth, contracts etc. and second for festivals. what are the months of these calendars and how they are related ...
user426's user avatar
  • 121
5 votes
1 answer
367 views

Plants vs Zombies Avoda Zara

In the digital game Plants vs. Zombies, there are graveyard tombs in the shapes of crosses. Does this constitute avoda zara? Is it therefore assur to play this game?
user5077's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
6k views

Can I still wear my Star of David?

My mother is Jewish but my father is Christian and I was raised in the Christian church, but I still have a lot of respect for my Jewish heritage. Would it be wrong to wear a Star of David necklace, ...
Morgan's user avatar
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-1 votes
2 answers
424 views

Is it spiritually dangerous to practice Christianity?

In Sarah Littman's book, Confessions of a Closet Catholic, Littman (a Reform Jewish woman) writes a tale of a Jewish girl who decides to give up Judaism for Lent and practice Catholicism. She takes ...
Double U's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
819 views

Donating to A Christian Charity

This question discusses both the obligation to give charity and certain requirements of the receiving institution, but the "best answer" does not address one particular type of charity. It mentions ...
rosends's user avatar
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-2 votes
2 answers
1k views

What sin did Jesus do? [duplicate]

I know Christians believe that Jesus is God and that's kind of a no-no in Judaism. The thing is, Jesus himself did not say he is God. Well, there are esoteric things. For example, he said that, "I ...
user4951's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
236 views

Halachic basis for opposing erection of a giant statute of Jesus in Israel

According to JewishIsrael.com an Arab Christian group plans to build a giant statute of Jesus on Har Kedumin (Mt. Precipice) near Nazareth on Jewish National Fund land. The Minister of Tourism, Uzi ...
Bruce James's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Are gingerbread houses prohibited?

There are people who make gingerbread houses decorated with icing and candy, especially in the winter. I think it is sometimes associated with non-Jewish holidays, but I don't know why. As far as I ...
Premundane's user avatar
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12 votes
4 answers
4k views

A Jew named Christian

I'm a gentile and my name is Christian. Would I face more aversion if I wanted to covert to Judaism than someone whose name is, say, Abraham? Would I be encouraged to legally change my name? Also, ...
Michael May's user avatar