I am Catholic. I am learning about Judaism because Jesus was a Jew, being born at a Jewish mother. The Church has some traditions from ancient Judaism. We both read and believe the books from Moses and such. We share a history together. Plus I am learning Hebrew because I am comparing the Hebrew Torah to my English Bible to make sure the translation is accurate.
My question is, would it be okay for my son & I to play the driedel game? and observe some of the Jewish traditions? We do believe in the same YHVH, don't we? Our history splits at the time of Jesus but don't Jews and Catholics share the same ancestors?
Also, I see Judaism as very devote in their faith and obedience to YHVH, which I adore, but sadly I don't see much devotion to YHVH in Catholism. We seem to focus on Jesus and not the Father yet it is the Father that gave us Jesus. I'm just looking for comments. Thanks!
2006-12-16 05:42:24 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't see why there should be a problem with playing dreidel. The letters, as I'm guessing you know, just stand for the words 'a great miracle happened there.' It's not 'a great miracle happened there, and Jesus is a lie.' I don't see any problem in enjoying another culture's non-contradictory rituals. Are non-Jews not allowed to eat Matzah?
Just a word of caution since I don't know how old or impressionable your son is. Your faith doesn't teach all the same traditions anymore. If you decide to mix in the Judaism, you might risk confusing your child about faith. On the other hand, you risk him becoming closed-minded if you neglect other traditions. Personally, I'm all for the openness, but it's not my call.
2006-12-16 06:33:14 · answer #1 · answered by Phil 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we believe the same God. Yes, we have the same ancestory. More properly, our history splits a number of years after Jesus' death, when his followers began gaining ground but that's splitting fine hairs.
The driedel game is basically a teaching tool. As you've probably found out, the letters on the driedel stand for the words "a great miracle happened there." Using the driedel was a way for parents to teach their children, and for children to teach younger siblings, about the miracle of Hanukkah. The treats and trinkets used in the game follow an instruction in the Oral Law that learning should be sweet to a child.
You won't earn the wrath of God by observing some of the Jewish traditions. If you understand the reasoning behind these traditions, you will probably find they draw you closer to God.
Good for you learning Hebrew. It's a difficult language to learn but it will deepen your faith and understanding to know the original words.
2006-12-16 20:34:31 · answer #2 · answered by shulasmith 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Jewish religion, unlike other religions does not claim that all peoples of the earth should become Jews. However, the Jewish religion does expect that all peoples of the earth believe in the same God. That means that Judaism promotes the interest of non-Jews in studying the Jewish religion in order to keep the parts of the Torah that are relevant for them.
You can find more about Judaism for non-Jews from the following site:
www.inner.org
2006-12-17 08:54:38 · answer #3 · answered by Ribbie D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Judaism rejects Jesus. They will find hell for it. Catholics reject the true Gospel by adding works. They will find hell for it.
It seems to me that the dreidel game is the least of your worries.
2006-12-16 13:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋