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Jordan – it is here that God revealed his mercy to the Jews and Christians
John the Baptist is one of the major figures of Advent. His name (Hebrew Johanan) means “YHWH has shown mercy and grace”. Just as the people of Israel once entered the Land through the waters of the Jordan, so now, at the baptism of John the Baptist, God reveals His Son to show His mercy – highlights Representative of Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin for Catholic-Jewish Relations and Research in the Holy Land Fr. Prof. Mirosław Wróbel in his commentary for the Heschel Centre at the Catholic University of Lublin for Sunday, December 17.
What is Hannukiah? - Faydra Shapiro
What a hanukkiah is, how it differs from a Jewish menorah, and why candles are lit on it only during eight days of the entire year, emphasized Dr. Faydra Shapiro, explaining in a commentary for the Catholic University of Lublin's Heschel Center.
Two types of consolation - how Jews and Christians understand the appeal of the prophet Isaiah
For Jews, Isaiah's message concerns the promise of the return of the covenant people to their land. In Mark's Gospel, the prophet's words are read in the context of St. John announcing the coming of Jesus. Christians can gain a better understanding of Jewish devotion to their homeland by taking into account the context. They can also appreciate the loyalty of Jewish people towards Israel and the message of consolation that is meant for all people. In a commentary for the Catholic University of Lublin's Heschel Center, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, the first Jewish woman to teach the New Testament at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, explains how Jews and Christians understand the words of the prophet Isaiah, which were alluded to by John the Baptist on the Second Sunday of Advent. Her commentary is for Sunday, December 10.
The Hebrew Bible on the awaiting of the Messiah during Advent
Advent is the time of yearning and waiting for the arrival of the Lord, the Messiah. We call in Aramaic: MARANA THA – Come, Lord. In Tanakh, or the Hebrew Bible, many prophets, especially Isaiah, Daniel and Micah, announced the coming of the Messiah, who was to bring salvation to the world. The Jews’ and Christians’ awaiting the advent of the Messiah at the end of time is addressed in a commentary for the Catholic University of Lublin Heschel Centre by Bible scholar Fr. Dr. Mariusz Świder, Rector of the John Paul II Seminary of the Diocese of Siedlce.
In the Gospel and the Talmud, God Teaches Us Mercy in Practice
Like the Gospels, the Talmud suggests that we help the weakest, as this is what God Himself would do. By helping those in need, we are indeed walking in God's footsteps. God teaches us what practical mercy is," explains Israeli Rabbi Oded Peles in a commentary for the Heschel Center of the Catholic University of Lublin. Referring to the Babylonian Talmud, he shows an amazing resemblance to the Gospel, emphasizing that by showing kindness to our neighbors, we imitate God's qualities, draw closer to Him, and follow Him.
Who were the virgins in Jesus'''' parable at the Jewish wedding?
Learning about Jewish wedding customs can help you understand the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. Jesus describes the moment when the bridegroom and his friends set out for the bride's house, and her friends go out to meet them, explains biblical scholar Fr. Prof. Mariusz Rosik in a commentary for the Heschel Center of the Catholic University of Lublin for Sunday, November 12. He stresses that Jesus, referring to the Jewish wedding tradition, calls for readiness and vigilance for his second coming at the parousia.
Were Pharisees adversaries of Jesus? Jesus was closer to them than to other Jewish groups.
It is vital to distinguish between Jesus' criticism of the way the Pharisees obey the Law and the criticism of the Law itself. It is not about abolishing the Law but fulfilling it, emphasizes Dr. Karma Ben Johanan, a lecturer at the Faculty of Comparative Religion at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in a commentary for the Heschel Center of the Catholic University of Lublin for Sunday, November 5.
Mourner''''''''s Kaddish - Jewish Prayer Filled with Praise
"While writing this paragraph, hundreds of Israeli Jewish people have begun reciting the Mourners' Kaddish as they mourn and grieve the loss of their dear ones killed in the October 7th massacre. At the saddest, most difficult, and shattering moments we experience, we praise and express our gratitude to God almighty, for God is eternal. Our connection with God and his greatness will continue forever," writes Rabbi Oded Peles, a Jewish cantor and educator living in Israel, in his commentary on the Jewish prayer for the dead.
Through the ears to the heart. Two commandments, four aspects of love
The two commandments of love in fact comprise as many as four elements: hearing, love of God, love of other people, and love of oneself. Hearing is related to God, yet our ears must be open to another person, too – says Director of the Polish Section of the Vatican media and Deputy Head of the Heschel Centre at the Catholic University of Lublin, Fr. Prof. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik in a commentary for Sunday, October 29.
Pharisees – legalistic hypocrites or respected teachers and innovators?
“While many Christians, influenced by the Gospel of Matthew, regard the Pharisees as legalistic hypocrites, Jews consider them to be respected teachers and innovators who helped Jews to embody their traditions more fully,” writes Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, the first Jewish woman to teach the New Testament at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, in a commentary for the Heschel Center of the Catholic University of Lublin for Sunday, October 22.
