Few things pain me as much as the ingratitude and lies spread about Pope Pius XII, who had indeed done more to protect the Jews, while in the greatest danger himself, than anyone can brag. I remember the 1950's when the truth about Pope Pius XII was still known and honored. I actually found it difficult to believe my eyes when I've read the scurrilous attacks on his honor and reputation since the 1960's, and especially the past several decades as Jews themselves got caught up in the witch trial mentality (and fall into every trap that Communist detractors of God and faith set, it seems).
So I am delighted and express my thanks to those righteous Jewish leaders who have spoken up, even when the truth is not popular (though why people prefer to continue to believe the twisted and the bad lies over the inspiring truth is beyond me; that is one of the unsavory mysteries of human weakness).
Do give this article a complete read, and my thanks to Rabbi Silver and those who show great honor and truthfulness.
http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2008/11/25/news/on_the_cover/news01.txt
Showing posts with label Jewish relations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jewish relations. Show all posts
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Here is a "must reading" editorial regarding Israel
Avraham Burg, former speaker of the Israeli parliament, is a businessman and author, most recently, of "The Holocaust Is Over; We Must Rise From Its Ashes," published this month by Palgrave Macmillan.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-burg16-2008nov16,0,4227786.story
snip
The Shoah is so pervasive that a study conducted a few years ago in a Tel Aviv school for teachers found that more than 90% of those questioned view it as the most important experience of Jewish history. That means it is more important than the creation of the world, the exodus from Egypt, the delivering of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, the ruin of both Holy Temples, the exile, the birth of Zionism, the founding of the state or the 1967 Six-Day War.
The Shoah is woven, to varying degrees, into almost all of Israel's political arguments; over time, we have taken the Shoah from its position of sanctity and turned it into an instrument of common and even trite politics. It represents a past that is present, maintained, monitored, heard and represented. Our dead do not rest in peace. They are busy, active, always a part of our sad lives.
***
This opinion piece is absolute "must reading," for all who care about faith, hope, politics, society, peace in the world, and peace of mind. I pray that more and more people will understand and believe what Mr. Burg is saying. I've seen too much reflexive denial toward the few who have dared to speak as clearly and lovingly the truth, as Mr. Burg has done here. Pray this is a time of change of hearts and perceptions.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-burg16-2008nov16,0,4227786.story
snip
The Shoah is so pervasive that a study conducted a few years ago in a Tel Aviv school for teachers found that more than 90% of those questioned view it as the most important experience of Jewish history. That means it is more important than the creation of the world, the exodus from Egypt, the delivering of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, the ruin of both Holy Temples, the exile, the birth of Zionism, the founding of the state or the 1967 Six-Day War.
The Shoah is woven, to varying degrees, into almost all of Israel's political arguments; over time, we have taken the Shoah from its position of sanctity and turned it into an instrument of common and even trite politics. It represents a past that is present, maintained, monitored, heard and represented. Our dead do not rest in peace. They are busy, active, always a part of our sad lives.
***
This opinion piece is absolute "must reading," for all who care about faith, hope, politics, society, peace in the world, and peace of mind. I pray that more and more people will understand and believe what Mr. Burg is saying. I've seen too much reflexive denial toward the few who have dared to speak as clearly and lovingly the truth, as Mr. Burg has done here. Pray this is a time of change of hearts and perceptions.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Appreciate Jewish leader's gracious remark
I was very moved by the gracious generosity of this Rabbi's remark about Pope Benedict and his meeting with him during the recent Australian trip.
http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/109548.html
A senior Australian rabbi welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Sydney. Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence of Sydney’s Great Synagogue on Friday commended the Catholic Church on four decades of rapprochement with the Jews while recalling that his grandparents had to flee Berlin 70 years ago.
snip
Speaking on behalf of the Jewish community, Lawrence said he was delighted to meet someone “who has devoted so much of his life to the spiritual enrichment of our world."
***
That was an extremely classy thing for Rabbi Lawrence to say, and I appreciate it. He sets a fine example for all.
http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/109548.html
A senior Australian rabbi welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Sydney. Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence of Sydney’s Great Synagogue on Friday commended the Catholic Church on four decades of rapprochement with the Jews while recalling that his grandparents had to flee Berlin 70 years ago.
snip
Speaking on behalf of the Jewish community, Lawrence said he was delighted to meet someone “who has devoted so much of his life to the spiritual enrichment of our world."
***
That was an extremely classy thing for Rabbi Lawrence to say, and I appreciate it. He sets a fine example for all.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Aussie Jews think Pope makes them look bad
Sometimes I cannot believe what I am reading.
http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/108842.html
snip
A procession planned during a visit by Pope Benedict XVI could incite anti-Semitism, Australian Jewish leaders warned. Roman Catholic officials in Sydney already have cut back a Stations of the Cross procession to be staged during the pope's visit in July, from 14 stations to eight, but one segment still raises concerns, according to Vic Alhadeff, the director of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. It is the third station, where Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, the ancient Jewish tribunal.
"We are concerned at how this scene will be dramatized if it is to be retained," Alhadeff said after a May 20 board resolution expressed disappointment at its inclusion. "The historical and biblical questions surrounding the notion that there was a formal Sanhedrin trial argue for extreme caution and, perhaps, even abandoning the device," the resolution said.
A spokesman for the procession's organizers said that "we've accommodated them [the Jews] where appropriate, but we’re unable to change the New Testament. Ultimately, we’re acknowledging that Christ was crucified for and by all sinners."
***
How about removing the beam from your own eye?
http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/108842.html
snip
A procession planned during a visit by Pope Benedict XVI could incite anti-Semitism, Australian Jewish leaders warned. Roman Catholic officials in Sydney already have cut back a Stations of the Cross procession to be staged during the pope's visit in July, from 14 stations to eight, but one segment still raises concerns, according to Vic Alhadeff, the director of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. It is the third station, where Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, the ancient Jewish tribunal.
"We are concerned at how this scene will be dramatized if it is to be retained," Alhadeff said after a May 20 board resolution expressed disappointment at its inclusion. "The historical and biblical questions surrounding the notion that there was a formal Sanhedrin trial argue for extreme caution and, perhaps, even abandoning the device," the resolution said.
A spokesman for the procession's organizers said that "we've accommodated them [the Jews] where appropriate, but we’re unable to change the New Testament. Ultimately, we’re acknowledging that Christ was crucified for and by all sinners."
***
How about removing the beam from your own eye?
Monday, July 9, 2007
Jewish leaders object to prayer for them
Some Jewish leaders object to Latin Rite Good Friday prayer
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703900.htm
But the 1962 Good Friday liturgy does include a prayer for the conversion of the Jews, asking God to remove "the veil from their hearts" and help them overcome their "blindness."The prayer says: "Let us pray also for the Jews that the Lord our God may take the veil from their hearts and that they also may acknowledge Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, you do not refuse your mercy even to the Jews; hear the prayers which we offer for the blindness of that people so that they may acknowledge the light of your truth, which is Christ, and be delivered from their darkness."
***
Oh good grief. I've been trying to bite my tongue for the past two days. Perhaps we ought to replace this prayer with one that the increasingly secular Jews regain their own religious observance at all again.
Only Catholics have to bend over backwards and do the politically correct limbo twist, even on the very day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And by way of interfaith education the term "do not refuse your mercy even to the Jews" refers to Christ's forgiveness of all those who crucified him even as he was being tortured and killed. It's a direct reference to Christ's forgiveness, not a cultural judgment, of the people who were in the process of killing him. In fact these similar words are used by St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who died just after Jesus' death and resurrection, by being stoned by a Jewish mob who objected to his preaching. St. Stephen begged God for the forgiveness of the very persons who were in the processing of stoning him to death. This prayer is actually a very touching and generous commemoration of the heart of the Christian faith, sprung from Jewish roots. Sheesh.
Can you imagine if I told Jewish leaders that reference to waiting for a Messiah offends me, and they should edit their praise and worship, because I believe the Messiah already came and went? Of course I would not do that. So Jewish leaders should lighten up on the sensitivity button and look to their own increasingly secular problems, just as we have. And everyone should be thankful for any sincere prayer.
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703900.htm
But the 1962 Good Friday liturgy does include a prayer for the conversion of the Jews, asking God to remove "the veil from their hearts" and help them overcome their "blindness."The prayer says: "Let us pray also for the Jews that the Lord our God may take the veil from their hearts and that they also may acknowledge Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, you do not refuse your mercy even to the Jews; hear the prayers which we offer for the blindness of that people so that they may acknowledge the light of your truth, which is Christ, and be delivered from their darkness."
***
Oh good grief. I've been trying to bite my tongue for the past two days. Perhaps we ought to replace this prayer with one that the increasingly secular Jews regain their own religious observance at all again.
Only Catholics have to bend over backwards and do the politically correct limbo twist, even on the very day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And by way of interfaith education the term "do not refuse your mercy even to the Jews" refers to Christ's forgiveness of all those who crucified him even as he was being tortured and killed. It's a direct reference to Christ's forgiveness, not a cultural judgment, of the people who were in the process of killing him. In fact these similar words are used by St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who died just after Jesus' death and resurrection, by being stoned by a Jewish mob who objected to his preaching. St. Stephen begged God for the forgiveness of the very persons who were in the processing of stoning him to death. This prayer is actually a very touching and generous commemoration of the heart of the Christian faith, sprung from Jewish roots. Sheesh.
Can you imagine if I told Jewish leaders that reference to waiting for a Messiah offends me, and they should edit their praise and worship, because I believe the Messiah already came and went? Of course I would not do that. So Jewish leaders should lighten up on the sensitivity button and look to their own increasingly secular problems, just as we have. And everyone should be thankful for any sincere prayer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
