Wednesday, October 5, 2016

A Perspective on Jesus as a Jew

Lesson Title:  Didn't Jesus Always Wear a Hat?


Dear Students,

I find myself returning to this short article time and again.  Please read and contemplate this important work describing the implications of Jesus' Judaic heritage.

http://www.moshereiss.org/christianity/03_hillel/03_hillel.htm

As you are aware, the Reform Catholic Church believes that our lives of Apostolic Faith should be consistent with Jesus' walk of life as much as possible.

Since Jesus discarded the old laws in one of his Gospels (although he did not disrespect or avoid them in his own life), we as Catholics do not need to follow the old Jewish culture regarding dietary restrictions, etc.  We do find it interesting and informative that Jesus followed these rules, and we do respect the role of sacrifice and fasting in our spiritual lives.



I call this picture, "Jesus as a Jew".  The real title is "Christ and Saint Mary Magdalen at the tomb."  The original painting is by Rembrandt.


As you read in the article, Jesus as a 1st-century Jewish Rabbi would have always worn a hat or other headcovering in public.


It is interesting to me how rare paintings or sculptures of Jesus wearing a traditional yarmulke or other head covering are in Christian art.  One might presume this was quite intentional and "hatless Jesus" was a dictate of the powerful church authorities who both censored (and indeed, sponsored) most significant art from the dark ages through the early Renaissance.















Yours in Christ,


No comments:

Post a Comment

All are welcome to comment or contribute. I receive comments via email and will promptly approve and publish them.

Rational thoughts, discussions and criticism is welcome. This is an open forum.