Dabru Emet
Encyclopedia
The Dabru Emet is a document concerning the relationship between Christianity
and Judaism
. It was signed by over 220 rabbi
s and intellectual
s from all branches of Judaism
, as individuals and not as representing any organisation or stream of Judaism.
The Dabru Emet was first published on September 10th, 2000, in the New York Times, and has since been used in Jewish education programs across the U.S. While affirming that there are theological differences between these two religions, the purpose of Dabru Emet is to point out common ground and a legitimacy of Christianity, for non-Jews, from the Jewish perspective. It is not an official document of any of the Jewish denominations per se, but it is representative of what many Jews feel.
Some hold that it understates the significant theological
differences between the two religions. Thus, most Conservative
and Reform
rabbis have not signed it, although many do agree with most of the document. Very few Orthodox rabbis
have signed it; The Institute for Public Affairs, of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations (commonly known as the Orthodox Union
) issued this response:
While agreeing with desire to encourage inter-faith dialogue and reconciliation, many Jews [who?] disagree with the section in Dabru Emet which holds that Christian theology is not in any way to blame for most of the last 2,000 years of anti-Semitism
, or the Holocaust
. Instead, it is believed by many Jews that much of Christian theology and teachings have been deeply anti-Semitic. Jews point to statements in the New Testament
, such as , which contain potentially divisive narratives about Jews:
This statement prompted Protestant Christian pastor A. Roy Eckardt to describe these words as "the road to Auschwitz". Many Jews agree, and thus cannot sign Dabru Emet.
Critics of Dabru Emet hold that it is false to claim that the Nazis would move on to exterminate Christians after they finished with the Jews. Germany
and Austria
had deeply religious Christian populations, and a majority of Christians in these nations supported the anti-Semitic Nazi policies throughout all of World War II. In Germany over a half-million Christians developed a church that praised both Jesus and Hitler in their services. Thus, many Jews feel that this document is white-washing Christian responsibility for the Holocaust.
The signatories signed as individuals, not representing any Jewish organisation or stream of Judaism. Furthermore, it was a predominantly American effort, without any consultation or input from Jewish communities outside of the United States
.
representing twenty-five Lutheran church bodies in Europe, issued on May 12, 2003 A Response to Dabru Emet:
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. It was signed by over 220 rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
s and intellectual
Intellectual
An intellectual is a person who uses intelligence and critical or analytical reasoning in either a professional or a personal capacity.- Terminology and endeavours :"Intellectual" can denote four types of persons:...
s from all branches of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, as individuals and not as representing any organisation or stream of Judaism.
The Dabru Emet was first published on September 10th, 2000, in the New York Times, and has since been used in Jewish education programs across the U.S. While affirming that there are theological differences between these two religions, the purpose of Dabru Emet is to point out common ground and a legitimacy of Christianity, for non-Jews, from the Jewish perspective. It is not an official document of any of the Jewish denominations per se, but it is representative of what many Jews feel.
Controversy
There are various objections to Dabru Emet from within the Jewish community.Some hold that it understates the significant theological
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
differences between the two religions. Thus, most Conservative
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
and Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
rabbis have not signed it, although many do agree with most of the document. Very few Orthodox rabbis
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
have signed it; The Institute for Public Affairs, of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations (commonly known as the Orthodox Union
Orthodox Union
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...
) issued this response:
While agreeing with desire to encourage inter-faith dialogue and reconciliation, many Jews [who?] disagree with the section in Dabru Emet which holds that Christian theology is not in any way to blame for most of the last 2,000 years of anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
, or the Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
. Instead, it is believed by many Jews that much of Christian theology and teachings have been deeply anti-Semitic. Jews point to statements in the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
, such as , which contain potentially divisive narratives about Jews:
This statement prompted Protestant Christian pastor A. Roy Eckardt to describe these words as "the road to Auschwitz". Many Jews agree, and thus cannot sign Dabru Emet.
Critics of Dabru Emet hold that it is false to claim that the Nazis would move on to exterminate Christians after they finished with the Jews. Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
had deeply religious Christian populations, and a majority of Christians in these nations supported the anti-Semitic Nazi policies throughout all of World War II. In Germany over a half-million Christians developed a church that praised both Jesus and Hitler in their services. Thus, many Jews feel that this document is white-washing Christian responsibility for the Holocaust.
The signatories signed as individuals, not representing any Jewish organisation or stream of Judaism. Furthermore, it was a predominantly American effort, without any consultation or input from Jewish communities outside of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Reaction
The European Lutheran Commission on the Church and the Jewish People (Lutherische Europäische Kommission Kirche und Judentum, LEKKJ), an umbrella organizationUmbrella organization
An umbrella organization is an association of institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources. In business, political, or other environments, one group, the umbrella organization, provides resources and often an identity to the smaller organizations...
representing twenty-five Lutheran church bodies in Europe, issued on May 12, 2003 A Response to Dabru Emet:
Criticism of Dabru Emet
- How not to conduct Jewish-Christian dialogue Jon D Levenson; Commentary; Dec 2001; Vol. 112(5)
- Jewish-Christian dialogue Jon D Levenson; Commentary; Apr 2002; Vol. 113(4)
External links
See also
- ChristianityChristianityChristianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
- Christian-Jewish reconciliationChristian-Jewish reconciliationReconciliation between Christianity and Judaism refers to the efforts that are being made to improve understanding of the Jewish people and of Judaism, to do away with Christian antisemitism and Jewish anti-Christian sentiment...
- JudaismJudaismJudaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
- Relations between Catholicism and JudaismRelations between Catholicism and JudaismThis article on relations between Catholicism and Judaism deals with the current relationship between the Catholic Church and Judaism, focusing on changes over the last fifty years, and especially during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II...
- Religious PluralismReligious pluralismReligious pluralism is a loosely defined expression concerning acceptance of various religions, and is used in a number of related ways:* As the name of the worldview according to which one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus that at least some truths and true values...
- Tikva Frymer-KenskyTikva Frymer-KenskyTikva Frymer-Kensky was a Professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School. She received her MA and PhD from Yale University...