Jews and Christians: what is the difference between them?

Jews and Christians ... What is the difference between them? They are followers of related religions, belonging to the Abrahamic religions. But many disagreements in the understanding of the world often led them to hostility and persecution both on one side and on the other. Tension in the relationship between Jews and Christians has existed since ancient times. But in the modern world, both religions go to reconciliation. Let us consider why the Jews pursued the first Christians. What was the reason for centuries of hostility and wars?

Relations between Jews and Christians in the Early Period

According to some researchers, Jesus and his disciples professed a doctrine close to the sectarian movements of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Christianity initially recognized the Jewish Tanakh as a sacred scripture, which was why at the beginning of the first century it was considered an ordinary Jewish sect. And later, when Christianity began to spread throughout the world, it was recognized as a separate religion - the successor of Judaism.

But even at the first stages of the formation of an independent church, the Jews' attitude toward Christians was not very benevolent. Often Jews provoked the Roman authorities to persecute believers. Later in the books of the New Testament the Jews were attributed full responsibility for the tortures of Jesus and the persecution of the Christians was recorded. This was the reason for the negative attitude of the followers of the new religion towards the Jews. And later it was used by many Christian fundamentalists to justify anti-Semitic actions in many countries. Since the II century AD. E. The negative attitudes towards Jews in the Christian communities only increased.

Christianity and Judaism in modern times

For many centuries, between the two religions there were strained relations, which often turned into mass persecutions. Such incidents include the Crusades and the previous persecution of Jews in Europe, as well as the Holocaust organized by the Nazis during the Second World War.

Relations between the two religious currents began to be established in the 60s of the twentieth century. Then the Catholic Church officially changed attitudes toward the Jewish people, eliminating anti-Semitic elements from many prayers. In 1965, the Vatican adopted a declaration "On the attitude of the Church to non-Christian religions" (Nostra Aetate). In it, the Jews filmed a thousand-year accusation of Jesus' death and condemned all anti-Semitic views.

Pope Paul VI asked forgiveness from non-Christian peoples (including Jews) for centuries of persecution by the church. The Jews themselves are loyal to Christians and consider them a kindred Abrahamic religion. Although for them some religious customs and teachings are incomprehensible, yet they favorably favor the spread of the basic elements of Judaism among all the peoples of the world.

Is God one of the Jews and Christians?

Christianity as an independent religion is based on the dogmas and creeds of the Jewish people. Jesus himself and most of his apostles were Jews and were brought up in Jewish traditions. As is known, the Christian Bible consists of two parts: the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament is the basis of the Jewish religion (Tanah is the sacred scripture of the Jews), and the New Testament is the teachings of Jesus and his followers. Therefore, both for Christians and for Jews, the basis of their religions is the same, and they worship the same God, only observe different rituals at the same time. The very name of God is in the Bible, as well as in the Tanakh - Yahweh, which translates into Russian as "Jehovah".

What is the difference between Jews and Christians? First of all, let's look at the main differences between their worldviews. For Christians, there are three basic dogmas:

• The original sin of all people.
• The Second Coming of Jesus.
• The atonement of human sins by the death of Jesus.

These dogmas are designed to solve the basic problems of mankind from the point of view of Christians. The Jews do not recognize them in principle, and for them, these difficulties do not exist.

Different attitude to sin

First of all, the difference between Jews and Christians in the perception of sin. Christians believe that every person is born with original sin and only during his life he can atone for it. The Jews, on the contrary, believe that every person is born innocent, and only makes the choice - to sin or not to sin.

Ways of redemption of sins

Because of the difference in the world outlook, the following difference also appears - the atonement of sins. Christians believe that Jesus has redeemed all the sins of people with his victim. And for those actions that committed the believer himself, he bears personal responsibility before the Almighty. He can atone for them only by repenting to the priest, since only representatives of the Church in the name of God are empowered to let go of their sins.

The Jews, on the other hand, believe that only by their deeds and actions a person can achieve forgiveness. They divide sins into two kinds:

• Committed against the orders of God;
• Crimes against another person.

The first ones are forgiven in the event that the Jew sincerely regrets and repents in himself to the Most High. But in this case there are no mediators in the person of priests, like Christians. Other sins are crimes that the Jew committed against another person. In this case, the Almighty limits his power and can not grant forgiveness. A Jew must pray it out exclusively from a person who is offended by him. Thus, Judaism speaks of a separate responsibility: for wrongdoings against another person and for sins and disrespect for God.

Because of these differences in views, the following contradiction arises: Jesus' forgiveness of all sins. Christians have the power to forgive sins to all who will repent. But even if a Jew can equate Jesus with God, such behavior still fundamentally violates the laws. After all, as already mentioned above, a Jew can not ask God for forgiveness for sins committed against another person. He himself must make amends for him.

Attitude to other world religious movements

Almost all religions in the world adhere to a unified doctrine - only those people who believe in the true God can get to Heaven. And believers in another Lord are essentially deprived of this right. In some aspect of this doctrine, Christianity also adheres. The Jews have a more loyal attitude to other religions. From the point of view of Judaism, any person observing the seven basic commandments that Moses received from God can enter Paradise. Since these commandments are universal, one does not need to believe in the Torah. These seven commandments include:

1. The belief that the world is created by one God.
2. Do not blaspheme.
3. Observe the laws.
4. Do not worship idols.
5. Do not steal.
6. Do not commit adultery.
7. Do not eat from the living.

Observance of these basic laws allows a representative of another religion to enter Paradise without being a Jew. Generally speaking, Judaism is loyal to monotheistic religions, such as Islam and Christianity, but it does not accept paganism because of polytheism and idolatry.

On what principles is the relationship of man to God being built?

The Jews and Christians also differ in their ways of communicating with the Almighty. What is the difference? In Christianity, priests appear as mediators between man and God. The clergy are endowed with special privileges and exalted with holiness. So, in Christianity there are many rites that an ordinary person does not have the right to conduct independently. Their fulfillment is the exclusive role of the priest, which is a cardinal difference from Judaism.

Jews do not have such a religious ritual, which is performed exclusively by the rabbi. At weddings, funerals, or during other events, the presence of a clergyman is not necessary. Any Jew can perform the necessary rituals. Even the very concept of "rabbi" is translated as a teacher. That is, just a person with a lot of experience, who knows the rules of Jewish laws.

The same goes for the Christian faith in Jesus as a single savior. After all, the Son of God himself claimed that only he can bring people to the Lord. And, accordingly, Christianity is based on the fact that it is only through faith in Jesus that one can come to God. Judaism, however, looks at this problem differently. And as mentioned earlier, any person who does not even observe Judaism can directly approach God.

The difference in perception of good and evil

The Jews and Christians have a completely different perception of good and evil. What is the difference? In Christianity, an important role is played by the concept of Satan, the Devil. This huge, powerful force is the source of evil and all the evils of the earth. In Christianity, Satan is presented as a power opposite to God.

This is the next difference, since the main belief of Judaism is the belief in a single almighty God. From the point of view of the Jews, there can not be any other higher power than God. Accordingly, the Jew will not divide the good into God's will, but evil into the intrigues of evil spirits. He perceives God as a just judge, rewarding for good deeds and punishing for sins.

Attitude to original sin

In Christianity there is such a thing as original sin. The ancestors of mankind disobeyed God's will in the Garden of Eden, for which they were banished from paradise. Because of this, all newborns are initially considered to be sinful. In Judaism, it is believed that the child is born innocent and can peacefully receive the blessings in this world. And only the person himself determines whether he will sin or live righteously.

Attitude to worldly life and worldly consolations

Also very different attitude to worldly life and consolations are Jews and Christians. What is the difference? In Christianity, the very goal of human existence is life for the sake of the subsequent peace. Of course, the Jews believe in the coming world, but the main task of human life is to improve the existing one.

These concepts are clearly seen in relation to both religions to worldly desires, the desires of the body. In Christianity, they are equated with wicked temptations and sin. People believe that only the pure soul, not subject to temptation, can get into the next world. So, a person should feed the spiritual as much as possible, thus neglecting worldly desires. Therefore, the Pope and the priests give a vow of celibacy, renounce worldly pleasures, in order to achieve greater holiness.

The Jews also recognize that the soul is more important, but do not consider it right to completely abandon the desires of your body. Instead, they turn their performance into a holy cause. Therefore, the Christian vow of celibacy seems to Jews a strong departure from religious canons. After all, creating a family and continuing the family for a Jew is a holy act.

The same difference in attitude between the two religions towards material wealth and wealth. For Christianity, taking the vow of poverty is the ideal of holiness. Whereas for the Judas, the accumulation of wealth is a positive quality.

In conclusion, I want to say that the Jews and Christians, the differences between which we considered, should not be adjusted against each other. In the modern world, everyone can understand the holy scriptures in their own way. And he has every right to do this.