Catholic – Jewish Questions and Answers

Posted on 05. Nov, 2009 by admin in Fall/Summer 2009

Orthodox Jews

1. Q. Why do some orthodox Jews wear a skullcap under hats?
A. the practice of wearing a yarmulke (skullcap) under one’s hat
began in the Middle Ages around the 17th century when it was customary
in German lands for one to doff his hat to a government official as a sign
of respect. In order not to be without a head covering for even a moment,
orthodox Jews worn a skull cap under hats. this custom continues today by
ultra orthodox Jews.

2. Q. Why do some Jews pray with the talit (prayer shawl) draped
over their heads?
A. the custom is based in the writing (tororot 4:1) which says,
“it is customary for scholars and their students not to pray without first
wrapping themselves in their prayer shawls.”

3. Q. Why does the Mezuzza on the doorpost contain a piece of
parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah?
A. It is done to remind Jews to reach towards God: upper one third
(eye level) on the right because most people are right handed: slanting
position so that it is pointing into the house.

4. Q. Why do Western Jews face east in prayer?
A. the temples of Jerusalem were central to Jewish life. As a sign
of respect, Jews face Jerusalem (to the east for Western Jews) when they
pray.

5. Q. Why do some Jews sway when they Pray?
A. Several explanations: a) swaying keeps time to the rhythm of
the prayer; b) When Moses received the 10 commandments, people were so
moved in awe, they trembled and shook.

6. Q. What is the Jewish Gravesite tradition?
A. It is an ancient custom which has practical origins. Jews were
originally a desert people. Jews buried their dead in the sand covering the
grave with stones, to mark the spot, but also to prevent animals from digging
up the body. Upon visiting a grave, it is considered a “mitzvah” or good
deed to add stones to replace those moved by wind or animals. This helps to preserve the integrity of the grave and the deceased.
Another reason for leaving the stones on the graves is to give charity
instead of buying flowers. It is also a visible sign that someone has visited
the grave.

7. Q. Why are there 100 blasts on the Shofar?
A. the shofar is an animal horn that is blown like a trumpet on the
Jewish Holyday – rosh Hashanah. Some congregations insist the shofar
be blown 100 times. The reason came from Rabbi Meir’s comment that a
Jew must recite 100 blessings everyday. the hearing of the shofar blown
is considered a blessing (Psalm 89:16); many congregations insist that the
shofar be blown 100 times.

8. Q. I’m Jewish. Can you tell me how there can be a God who
permitted the Holocaust?
A. A very good question to answer. Let us try. First, God gave us
a free will to act. As we know, we do not always use it well. Sometimes,
people allow the evil within them to rule their lives. The Holocaust happened
because some people did evil things. evil controlled their lives. God can not
interfere with our free will. It sounds strange to say it. That is the way he
made us and we must respect his work plan.
People did the evil things, not God. therefore, our aim is to destroy
prejudice and hate. that is why we have the Catholic-Jewish relations group.
Slowly, good will conquer evil. Do not blame God for the Holocaust. Blame
the people who allowed evil to dominate their lives.

9. Q. What is Chanukah (Hanukkah)?
A. Chanukah is the Festival of Lights and is celebrated for eight
days in December. It is the remembrance of the victory of Judah Maccabee
over the forces of tyranny and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem.
on that day, Jews celebrate religious freedom and affirm God’s saving
power. the candelabra or menorah that Judah Maccabee relit in the temple
in Jerusalem has seven lamp stands on it with an oil lamp on top of each
lamp stand, the Chanukah lamp.

10. Q. What is Shiva?
A. For seven days following a burial of a loved one, the members
of the immediate family refrain from leaving the home (except for the
Sabbath). In some homes, the mirrors are covered as a gesture of turning
away from human vanity. No work is done by family members, their needs
are attended to neighbors who bring food, care for the little children and see
to it that a minyan (ten Jews who have made their bar/bat mitzvah) to say the
prayers in the home. A candle is kept burning in memory of the deceased.
These seven days of mourning are known as “sitting Shiva”. Shiva is the
Hebrew word for seven.

11. Q. Do Jewish people fast like Catholics do?
A. Yes. the main time for Jews to fast is their holy and sacred day -
Yom Kippur. on that day, Jews keep a complete fast, no food or drink from
sunset to sunset. All Jews from approximately 13 years of age fast unless
there is a health threatening reason.

12. Q. What are Rabbis?
A. A rabbi is not a priest, neither in the Jewish sense nor in the
Catholic sense. In Catholicism a priest is a person ordained with special
authority to perform certain religious rituals. A rabbi has no authority to
perform religious rituals. A rabbi is a teacher, a person educated in Jewish
Law and tradition to instruct the Jewish community and to answer questions
and resolve disputes regarding the Jewish Law; He can also lead the
community in religious services.