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Entry: Firing Foxman Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/firing_foxman#3481 Post contents: Well, Jerry, While I'm glad that you say you're not Judeophobic, I urge you to go a step further. To say that Jewish representatives have always been out to get Catholics is what the theoreticians of argumentation call, to put it mildly, a "hasty generalization". My Jewish friends tell me that they feel much closer to Catholics than other religions, and for these reasons, among others: 1. Catholics and Jews have a similar respect for law, unlike (some) Protestants 2. Both also emphasize Grace (I believe the Hebrew word is "hessed" which the RSV translates as "loving kindness" and the King Jimmy "mercy". Both believe in merit de gratia (Judaism is not a "works-righteousness" religion). 3. Both reject sola scriptura; both have Scripture AND Tradition. For rabbical Judaism, the Tradition is codified in the Talmud. 4. Both respect and cultivate the wisdom tradition. 5. Both know a lot about cultus (for Jews on hold); or said differently, both consider binding a priesthood, an altar, a sacrifice. And both have the Pascal mystery, the covenant in blood, the covenant community and excommunication from it, the unleaven bread, the Pentecost, fast days. 6. Both are messianic, both are prophetic. 7. Both regard the Saducee's rejection of life after death as Archheresy 8. Both expect their clergy to be well-educated. Both emphasize the careful study of texts and precision in language. Both have a magisterium. 9 Both use the Psalms (at least Benedictine Catholics) 10. The first part of the Mass is taken from the Synagogue service, the second has its origin in the Passover. 11. Both have ritual washings 12. Both have The Redemption and The Day of Atonement. 13. Both honor the Holy Name. 14. And as for the Trinity, my Jewish friends say they don't have a problem with it, just that they would prefer not to inquire into The Almighty's inner nature. As for "rejecting the true Messiah", the locus and supreme authority, because it is scripture, for Catholic-Jewish relations with this issue in mind is Romans 9-11. Let that text set the tone. Sent at: 2008 05 15