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.
261
questions
57
votes
21
answers
21k
views
Is Christianity Avodah Zara?
It is commonly accepted that Islam is not Avodah Zarah (idolatry) since Islam has a clear monotheistic theology with a belief in Allah that parallels our view of "kail" or Hashem. It is even ...
- 2,279
37
votes
9
answers
8k
views
Why don't Jews think Jesus is the messiah?
Christians say that Jesus is the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament; Jews disagree. Why couldn't Jesus be the Messiah spoken of? Or could he possibly have been?
- 1,361
30
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is a Jew allowed to participate on Christianity.SE?
I was browsing meta.Christianity.SE recently when I noticed a question with a rather obvious (and good) answer that had not been posted. I was about to go ahead and answer it when I realized there ...
- 38.5k
28
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Voting in a church?
Are you allowed to vote inside a church? (Answers supplying sources would be preferred, as always.)
- 139k
27
votes
9
answers
6k
views
If Christianity is avodah zarah and Islam is not, why has the Christian world triumphed over the non-Christian, and why do Jews prefer to live among Christians and not Muslims?
The Rambam quite clearly considered Christianity to be avodah zarah. He did not feel the same way about Islam, however, going so far as to condone praying within a mosque, and many Orthodox Jewish ...
user337
27
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Why isn't the Kabbalistic doctrine of Sefirot considered Shittuf if the Christian Trinity is?
From the answers to this question it seems that most if not all Jewish sources treat Trinitarian Christianity (in particular, their doctrine of the Trinity) as either Shittuf or outright Avoda Zara, ...
- 7,873
21
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is it okay to enjoy Christmas lights?
My daughter is always talking about how she hates everything Christmas, including the lights on the houses. I am trying to encourage her that she can like non religious things like the lights, so ...
- 7,418
21
votes
2
answers
941
views
What was wrong with the word Talmud?
The Wikipedia article on The Talmud says:
and Pope Pius IV commanded, in 1565, that the Talmud be deprived of its very name. The convention of referring to the work as "Shas" (shishah sidre Mishnah)...
- 43.9k
20
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Origin of the term Yoshke?
I have often heard Jews refer to Jesus as "Yoshke". Is the origin of that appellation based on halachic issues regarding mentioning names of foreign deities, or some other Jewish law or custom? When ...
user2110
20
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is a Jew allowed to be knighted? Problem with kneeling?
Is there any halachik problem with going through the knighting (or Damehood for women) process of kneeling etc?
The current ceremony does not contain many of the Christian or pagan overtones of the ...
user1520
18
votes
5
answers
41k
views
Would a non-Jew wearing the Star of David together with a cross be offensive?
I am not Jewish, although I come from a Jewish heritage. My great-grandmother was Jewish. I have, since childhood, found the religion fascinating, even though my belief in Jesus has firmly placed me ...
- 363
18
votes
2
answers
4k
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 ...
- 9,618
18
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Is the title: "New" Testament offensive to Jews? Alternative neutral name?
Having lived in Israel during several periods of my life, I know that the words "Old" in the "Old Testament" and "New" in the "New Testament" are offensive to many Jews. From what I understand, it's ...
16
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a Christian "Grace" invalidate food?
Suppose there's a communal meal in a secular workplace, at which some of the food is reliably kosher. Now suppose that right before anyone takes any food, one of the participants, to general assent, ...
- 47.8k
15
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Why don't we seek converts to Judaism?
Why don't Jews try to convert other people to their religion, outside of Israel?
Since Christian and Islamic forces try to make them a minority shouldn't they also try to convert people to grow ...
- 858
15
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What attitudes toward Jesus are acceptable for a Jew?
What attitudes toward Jesus are acceptable for a Jew? I understand that idolatry, or embracing the mainstream Christian perception of Jesus as divine, is absolutely out of the question. Furthermore, ...
- 19.6k
15
votes
1
answer
531
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, ...
- 19k
14
votes
2
answers
46k
views
Difference between Torah and the first five books in Christian bible [closed]
I know that basically, the first 6 5 books in Christian's Bible forms the Torah. However are there any subtle difference between torah and those books?
- 888
14
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Paul being sent as a double agent by the Sanhedrin
I think there's a pretty popular conspiracy theory supposedly based on a censored Midrash that Paul was sent by the Sanhedrin to revolutionize Christianity in order to fully differentiate it from ...
- 19.6k
14
votes
2
answers
568
views
Does one make a Bracha when seeing the Pope?
Is he considered either a king or a great non-Jewish scholar?
- 141
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Mentioning Yeshu's name?
Is there a source for not verbally (or in writing, for that matter) mentioning the name of Yeshu (the father of Christianity)?
If there is such a source, what exactly is forbidden to say? Is it only ...
- 998
13
votes
1
answer
916
views
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 ...
- 233
13
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Should the Christian cross be seen as an idol?
As Christianity is Avodah Zarah, is a Christian cross which people kiss, pay respect to, and face toward when praying, considered to be an idol?
Here is a brief excerpt from a scholarly Christian ...
- 1,969
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, ...
- 121
12
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Do Jewish people have a collection of books which are the equivalent of the Christian Old Testament?
One claim that is made in our Christian Church is that the Jewish people use the Old Testament and that Christians use both the Old Testament and the New Testament. How correct is this statement?
Do ...
- 1,086
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, ...
- 223
12
votes
3
answers
896
views
When, halachically, does a sect of Judaism become an independent religion?
When Christianity began many followers considered themselves Jews, the same could be said for followers of Shabbtai Tzvi. I don't believe there is anyone today who would argue that a child born to ...
- 13.6k
12
votes
1
answer
266
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
user6641
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
On killing (?) Christians in Judaism
I'm an Israeli Jew and for a few days I'm in an ongoing online argument with this Swedish white-nationalist who tries to prove me that blood libels are not completely made-up.
He gave me the next two ...
- 117
11
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is calling The LORD as "Father" common during Jesus time?
Most of the time I hear from some Christian friends that the "Father" name for to The LORD was founded by Jesus.
Because I find it odd (if Jesus was the first person to start calling The LORD "...
- 369
11
votes
3
answers
34k
views
Is it acceptable for a Gentile to attend a service at a Synagogue without intent of conversion?
I'm a practicing Christian getting my master's degree in education, and one of my classes (cultural foundations of education) calls for me to spend time in a culture other than my own.
I have a ...
- 113
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is it mutar to participate in an online religion-related community that is largely made up of Christians?
There exist online communities on secular websites, to discuss religion-related topics such as the bible, that largely consist of Christians and their contributions. Some of those Christians use the ...
user3289
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 ...
- 6,845
11
votes
3
answers
633
views
Pokemon Go and Churches
This is intended to be an academic question. All practical halachic questions should be decided based on a consult with your local Orthodox rabbi.
Pokemon Go is a new game for smartphones where you ...
- 465
10
votes
4
answers
934
views
Asking non-Jews to pray for someone
Is it appropriate to ask non-Jews to pray on behalf of someone in dire straits (sick, wrongfully imprisoned, trapped, etc.)?
Edit: If it's appropriate, would it be inappropriate if the person being ...
- 41.5k
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What to do with the Cross on the Chess King?
Many (perhaps most) Chess sets come with a King piece that has a cross on the top of it. Is there any problem with owning or using such a chess set? Should one break off the cross?
- 38.5k
10
votes
5
answers
499
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 ...
- 101
10
votes
2
answers
679
views
Are Jews allowed to participate in Valentine's Day rituals?
Are Jews allowed to participate in Valentine's Day rituals? Although St. Valentine's Day is originally a quasi-Christian holiday, it seems that some communities allow participation.* Which communities ...
- 19.6k
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Being exposed to Christmas music
I understand that for many people, this is almost impossible to do - as long as you go shopping anywhere outside a Jewish neighborhood, or if you turn on the television, you will be exposed to ...
- 1,896
10
votes
1
answer
905
views
How does Judaism regard the different denominations of Christianity vis-a-vis Avoda Zara?
There's been lots of talk about whether Christianity is Avodah Zara.
Are there any distinctions between denominations, say which ones have more statues?
- 131k
10
votes
1
answer
285
views
Are Jews allowed to contribute to the reconstruction of the Paris cathedral?
I assume most of you have already heard about the sad events that happened yesterday in France. One of the main symbols of Paris, a functioning cathedral caught on fire and caused huge damage to the ...
- 7,434
10
votes
2
answers
675
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 ...
- 101
9
votes
5
answers
902
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 ...
- 899
9
votes
1
answer
370
views
A cryptic Seder HaDoros regarding to the year of Jesus' birth
Regarding the year of Jesus' birth, it says in Seder HaDoros (Year 3724) that the year 3724 and the year (3)532 are really the same. What in the world does he mean?
Its in the first column first ...
- 5,984
9
votes
1
answer
272
views
Wearing cruciform orders
Most European chivalric orders, both historic and otherwise, as well as many other awards issued were cruciform (for different examples of styles, see the Pour le Mérite, the Iron Cross, and the ...
- 12.9k
9
votes
1
answer
203
views
Using Christian theological texts for a Torah class
Would there be a problem with quoting a Christian theologian’s words (e.g., C.S. Lewis) while teaching in order to advance an idea? (I might want to do this if he speaks particularly well on a certain ...
- 9,618
9
votes
1
answer
288
views
Referring to Gentile Priest as "Father"
Is it permissible to either refer to or address a gentile priest as "Father XXXXXXXXX"?
What alternatives might there be?
9
votes
1
answer
391
views
Can one say amen to a blessing invoked by a Christian?
I was watching the blessings recited by clergy of various religions at the currently ongoing Republican National Convention to see if the blessings were made generally to G-d, or if the one giving the ...
- 28.1k
8
votes
5
answers
980
views
Our Father who art in heaven
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we ...
- 5,677
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is it permitted to read non-Jewish religious texts?
I have an interest in the New Testament simply to understand Christianity. I would therefore like to read it, but not at all in an idolatrous way (assuming reading it itself wouldn’t be idolatrous).
...
- 111