Judaism and Catholicism share many similarities and differences regarding beliefs, rituals and worship practices, which have resulted in mutual animosity or respect between them over the centuries. To some extent, the differences between Judaism and Catholicism shed light on their respective approach towards faith, morality and lifestyle. While Jews and Catholics both share a belief in an eternal and faithful God and an emphasis on ethics, charity, and community, the two are distinct when it comes to doctrines, rituals, and other aspects of religious practice.
The primary difference between Judaism and Catholicism lies in the respective gods they believe in; Jews believe in one God, while Catholics believe in a Trinitarian God. Moreover, while Jews regard the written law of Judaism as the most authoritative form of devotion and truth, Catholics are more inclined to rely on the official teachings of their faith, which is mainly based on the vocally transmitted law of the Church. After all, Catholics believe that the written and the oral law are two sources of divine truth, both of which complement each other.
The Second Vatican Council was a momentous step for the Catholic Church to reach out to Jews, emphasizing the need to honor their relationships with the Christian community. In reference to the Jewish people, the Second Vatican Council declared: “Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the path to possible mutual cooperation.” The council also emphasized that God does not have any other children since everyone is a child of God.
Moreover, the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-31) affirmed the need for the Gentiles to appreciate the Judaic heritage, a core attribute of Christianity. This means appreciating the Torah, the five books of Moses, on which part of the New Testament was also based. The council was in agreement with the Jewish values, showing respect to the customs and the faith of the Jews. As such, Catholics are encouraged to value the Hebrew scriptures and the heritage of the people of Israel.
Additionally, the differences between Judaism and Catholicism are also evident in the varied approaches they take towards religious observance. For example, while Judaism calls on its followers to exercise personal autonomy in matters like religious ritual and theological interpretation, Catholics typically rely on the traditions of their clergy and interpretive authority of the papacy for guidance. In terms of dietary laws, too, Judaism has stricter rules of kashrut or kosher eating than does Catholicism. Apart from the use of wine for the Eucharist, for instance, Catholicism does not require its followers to stick to a particular set of dietary restrictions or food purity laws.
Judaism and Catholicism: Worship Practices
When it comes to worship practices, there are major differences between Judaism and Catholicism. In Judaism, the center of worship is the synagogue, and its rituals involve praying, reading from the Torah, and discussing the interpretation of faith. Catholics, on the other hand, prefer to congregate in churches and focus on the Eucharist, where people consume bread and wine as a sign of their belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their savior.
Catholics also usually attend mass once a week, whereas Jews are required to observe the Sabbath every Saturday, which is a day of rest, reading the Torah, and engaging in special rituals with family and friends. Additionally, Jews hold several holidays and festivals throughout the year, such as Sukkot, Passover, and Rosh Hashanah, during which they also practice special rituals related to their faith. Catholics, meanwhile, hold major feasts such as Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, during which they celebrate milestones from Jesus’ life.
Baptism
The difference between Judaism and Catholicism is also evident in the meaning and practice of baptism. While Christianity takes it as an essential part of entering the faith, the ritual carries a different significance in Judaism. As per Judaism, baptism is an optional ritual that moderates the act of conversion; it only symbolizes the entrance of gentiles into the Jewish faith, but it is not mandatory as it is in Catholicism.
In the Christians’ perspective, baptism involves the literal immersing of the person’s body in water, which symbolizes the cleansing of one’s sins and the rebirth in a new faith. Whereas, for Jews, it is a symbolic gesture of accepting a person as part of their faith, with no crucial religious meaning.
Conclusion
Although there are many similarities between Judaism and Catholicism, there are also significant differences between them. These include the belief in a Trinitarian god and the interpretation of Divine truth by Catholics; the belief in one god and the reliance on the written law in Judaism; the varied approaches to religious observance; and the differences in the meaning and practice of baptism. Ultimately, while each group follows different religious practices and beliefs, they share a common belief in an eternal and faithful God and an emphasis on ethics, charity, and community.
