Reply To: The New �Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity� � An Analysis

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#1117965
Avi K
Participant

MW13,

1. Rabbenu Tam rules (Bechorot 2:2 d”h shema itchayev) that sheetuf is permitted to gentiles and this is the view of the Rema (OC 156:1)

2. Rambam does not consider any other religion avoda zara (Iggeret HaShemad). While eh does not allow establishing a new religion he does allow them to adopt any of our mitzvot except Shabbat and talmud Tora (Hilchot Melachim 10,9-10). As Xtianity and Islam are offshoots of Judaism (Kuzari) it is a question as to into which category they fall.

3. In the same video Rabbi Riskin stated that any Jew who accepts Xtianity turns his back on the Jewish people.

4. The main problem with the statement is the use of the word “truth” which can be taken in different ways (there are, in a manner of speaking, two truths – the taryag mitzvot and the sheva mitzvot).

5. I think that it is abundantly clear that the two main threats today are a secular liberalism that is trying to force everyone to bow down to the idol of “equality”, as Oregon bakers Melissa and Aaron Klein discovered, and radical Islamism. On these threats, as well as on Eretz Yisrael, we have common cause with Xtians. I agree that the RCA, Moetzet Gedolei HaTora and NCYI should analyze the subject and issue statements. I do not agree that they should dismiss it out of hand but should demand some revision.

6. Is YWN now a country that it has a Chief Rabbi?