Shalom, Peace and Happy Holidays
We will conclude this year's looking in depth at some of the many verses held in common by Judaism and Christianity, and understanding their Jewish Rabbinical roots.
I Rabbinically counsel Jews, in 12 step programs locally and in prisons, that it is OK to say the "Our Father" prayer while members are holding hands. Judaism forgoes almost every commandment for saving lives. Being part of a 12 step program's Fellowship of the Spirit is integral to an individual's success in conquering addiction.
The other deeper reason is that the "Our Father" is a completely Jewish prayer, as long as it is not called the "Lord's prayer", because for Jews, Adonai our God, is Lord.
The Talmud shows that Rabbis taught their own prayers long before a Jewish prayer book was codified.
Let's examine this prayer:
''Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ''
''Our Father who art in heaven'' (Talmud Yoma 85b, Sotah 49b, and Pirkei Avot 5:20)
The Ḳaddish prayer, read in Jewish services and in houses of mourning, has "May His great name be hallowed.'' The Sabbath Ḳedushshah says: 'May You be magnified and hallowed.''
''Thy kingdom come,''
''May God's kingdom be established during the days of your life (Kaddish prayer ).''
''Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. ''
''Do Thy will above ,give comfort to those below, and to everyone his need (Talmud Beracoth 29b).''
"Do Thy will in heaven, and give rest and sustenance, to those on earth (Talmud Beracoth 3:7).''
"Give us our apportioned bread (Prov. 30: 8 ) ".
''And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.''
''One who is merciful toward others, God will be merciful toward them (Talmud Shabbat 151b).''"To whom is sin pardoned? To he who forgives injury" (Derek Eretẓ 8: 3).
''And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:''
''Bring me not into temptation… and save me from the evil one ( Talmud Berachot 80b).''
''For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. ''
''For Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty (1 Chronicles 29:10).'' This is chanted when Ark of the Torah is opened.
I hope we have learned that Judaism and Christianity share much in common. Blessings!
REBBETZIN ELLEN SEGAL
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
Jewish Renewal
Jewish Spirituality
Hilton Head Island, SC; Bluffton, SC; Savannah, GA
