Extraordinary statement by Orthodox rabbis

Last month 28 Orthodox rabbis released a statement that God has willed the birth of Christianity.  It “is neither an accident nor an error” but “a gift to the nations.”  Since its release 30 more rabbis have signed on to “To Do the Will of Our Father in Heaven: Toward a Partnership between Jews and Christians.”

This is not a statement of theological liberalism that denies significant differences. “In separating Judaism and Christianity, G-d willed a separation between partners with significant theological differences, not a separation between enemies.”

These rabbis speak of Jesus in ways that would bring Amens from most Christians around the world: “Jesus brought a double goodness to the world.  On the one hand he strengthened the Torah of Moses majestically . . . and not one of our Sages spoke out more emphatically concerning the immutability of the Torah.  On the other hand he removed idols from the nations and obligated them in the seven commandments of Noah so that they would not behave like animals of the field, and instilled them firmly with moral traits.” 

There are several things important to point out here.

1. This goes further than Dabru Emet, another Jewish statement of sixteen years ago that was signed by mostly non-Orthodox rabbis and Jewish leaders, by saying that Christianity is part of God’s plan and therefore is not an error.

2. It is signed by only a minority of Orthodox rabbis because most would not want to say publicly that God willed the rise of the Church or that it is not fundamentally in error.

3. It makes no mention of Islam.  There are several reasons for this, two of which leap to mind.  First, Islam and Judaism share no scriptures, unlike Christianity which proclaims as Scripture the Hebrew Bible.  Second, a great part of Islamic culture is anti-semitic and dedicated to the elimination of Israel.

Even if this is still a minority of Orthodox rabbis, we Christians should cheer.  Leaders of the community which our churches have vilified (calling them “God-killers”) and persecuted for centuries are reaching out with courage and trust.  I hope we can reach back.

I have worked with three of these rabbis–R. Eugene Korn, R. Schlomo Riskin, and R. Irving Greenberg.  They are excellent men, dedicated to the God of Israel–who is the Father of Jesus Christ.