- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Basics of Jewish Faith
How does Judaism differ from Christianity?
Question
What differentiate the Catholic, Romans and other Christian religion from the Jews?
Answer
The Jewish history, prophets, mitzvot, Godly revelation etc., which the Christians also accept, speak for themselves, as elaborated in my recent answer at https://www.yeshiva.co/ask/57919 . The Bible is clearly addressing the eternal and covenental Nation of Israel, and not just a "religion" disconnected from national life, history and the Land of Israel.
Historically, the Jews of his generation were not at all convinced, and had no reason to believe that the Christian leader was god nor messiah, and surely he and other Christians had no right to change the 613 practical Godly mitvot, as commanded in the Torah, like wearing tzitzit (fringes) and tefilin, etc. Again, we aren't at all interested in converting others, but if you were already fortunate enough to be born Jewish, and are not convinced of the drastic changes Christianity made in twisting the eternal Torah, than why not stay with the Godly original?
Theologically, Catholics are the original Christians, and any changes or later reforms are suspect to question and skepticism, testifying to the difficulties, non-Godliness and lack of eternity of their original dogma. Aside from our ideology of pure monotheism and no trinity, we believe that God is perfect, and obviously doesn't make mistakes. Accordingly, the physical world He created isn't bad or negative, but is really good and positive. Judaism says that it's an ideal to marry, work for a living and encourages asking questions, as opposed to the Catholic ideal in the oaths of "chastity, poverty and obedience". Also the oral law and rabbinic authorities, who are mandated and even obligated by the Torah itself (Dvarim 17, 8-11), keep Judaism eternal, applicable and relevant, even 3,300 years after it was given, something which is sorely lacking in Christianity. In short, the more of your Jewish heritage that you will learn, the more you will be convinced and love it, as wev'e been doing for thousands of years!

Was Torah Corrupted or Changed?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 20, 5781

Jewish canon
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 7, 5781

Messiah
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 25, 5772

Free Will or Does God run the world?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 22, 5780

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Bircat baalat habayit 2
Adar I 23, 5771

Yericho conquest by Yehoshua
Tevet 28, 5771

Writing a Torah Scroll in English
Adar II 25, 5771

Orlah fruit trees
Adar I 5, 5771

No-wedding days
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 20, 5772

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Bracha on water
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Cheshvan 16, 5769
Flying West on a fast day
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Tammuz 6, 5782

Showing hair when covering your hairline
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 25, 5782

What is Jeremiahs meaning?
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Sivan 25, 5782
