Overview
Catholicism and Judaism are the two of the most prominent and oldest religions in the world. While Catholicism is based mostly upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and is represented by the Catholic Church, Judaism is a monotheistic religion originating in the Hebrew Bible as the faith of the Jewish people. Although Judaism and Catholicism share a common origin in Abrahamic tradition, there are numerous differences between the two that have caused both religions to evolve in unique ways.
Doctrine
The primary difference between Judaism and Catholicism is that Catholics accept the doctrine of the Trinity, which is the belief in one God existing in three persons, whereas Jews refuse to accept this idea. Furthermore, Catholics venerate Mary as the Mother of God, whereas Jews hold the belief that Mary was just the mother of Jesus. Additionally, Catholics believe in the necessity of grace and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, while Jews practice their faith by following ancient Jewish laws and rituals.
Scriptures
Catholics rely on the Bible—which is comprised of the Old Testament, which emphasizes Jewish laws and rituals, and the New Testament, which includes the teachings of Jesus Christ— as their primary source of divine commandment and guidance. On the other hand, Jews value the Hebrew Bible as their main source of law and revered literature.
Organization
From a organizational perspective, Catholicism is lead by the Pope, the bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church. Moreover, the Catholic Church has a hierarchical order that provides structure and guidance throughout the world. Jews, however, are without a central authority and instead are divided into various religious denominations and rabbinical traditions.
Liturgy
Catholics engage in liturgy primarily in Latin, as well as other languages throughout the world. Primarily, the liturgy of Catholics consists of the celebration of the seven sacraments through prayer, music and activities. Jews, however, follow the prayers, laws and festivals of their religion, such as Hanukkah and the Passover Seder.
Beliefs
Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the savior of the world. They consider Jesus to be the one and only mediator between God and humans. Jews, on the other hand, reject the idea of Jesus as divine and instead state that in every generation, a person is created that has the capacity to reach a higher level of holiness and closeness to God.
Practices
Catholics practice their faith with devotion to the Catholic Church and its teachings. They view the Catholic Church and its hierarchy as a source of authenticity and faith. Jews, on the other hand, practice their faith through rituals, traditions and observances of Jewish law. Furthermore, Jews support the state of Israel and believe it to be the holiest place for the Jewish people.
Morals
Catholics consider a set of moral guidelines set down by the Church, such as the Ten Commandments, to be their main source of moral guidance. On the other hand, Jews adhere to their own laws and traditions as sources of morality and ethics. Furthermore, Catholics value the forgiveness of sins, while Jews practice repentance only as a way to atone for their sins.
Values
The overall values of Catholic and Jews differ, as well. Catholics value faith, love and compassion, while Jews value justice, kindness and charity. Furthermore, Catholics believe in redemption through the sacraments, whereas Jews believe that redemption can occur through repentance and restitution.
Religious Identity
Finally, Catholic and Jewish religious identity likewise carry different connotations. By virtue of its origins in Abrahamic tradition, Catholicism is a largely European-based, Western religion. Conversely, Judaism is a non-European-based, Middle Eastern religion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Catholicism and Judaism are two religions with significant shared origins but significant, distinct differences. While they have disparate beliefs and varying emphases on religious practice, these differences serve to enrich the fabric of their shared heritage, creating numerous opportunities to help individuals of these faiths come together to share their cultural and religious heritage.
