Though a large divide has existed between Jews and Christians for centuries, world-renowned Rabbi Irving ‘Yitz’ Greenberg told a Fairfield audience Monday that there is no room for separation in the present day.
“Jews and Christians have lived through a great religious reformation over the past 60 years,” said Greenberg, who delivered the First Annual Lecture in Jewish-Christian Engagement at the Dolan School of Business. “Both religions make the claim that I am right and you are wrong. Modern society allows for the two religions to separate from each other and look at the other in a new way.”
Greenberg said the key to this recognition comes from “discovering that all human beings are equal and unique, and all humans must learn to know and respect each other.”
“It is essential that we make limits on our own claims to make room for others contributions,” he said. “Hatred and rejection is not the only route to go down. There is an opposite track we can choose to take.”
Greenberg is president of Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation and a theologian who holds a doctorate from Harvard University.
Through his studies and community outreach, he realized his interest in developing a positive Jewish theology of Christianity.
The six keys to Greenberg’s partnership idea are reconciliation, repudiation, repentance, rejection, review of both Jewish and Christian teachings, and recognition of the state of Israel.
He said the first three are universally agreed upon in the West, but the second three remain controversial.
“The six R’s lead to a remarkable reformation. This Jewish-Christian dialogue is an amazing act,” said Greenberg, who recently published “For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity.”
Greenberg cited Fairfield as a perfect example of this partnership. Though Fairfield is a Jesuit University, it has a Jewish Studies program. This proves that a partnership does exist and is alive in the Fairfield community, he said.
He also centered his lecture on two main ideas: pluralism and partnership.
With pluralism it is important to understand that no one person’s beliefs are perfect and that we need the opposing religion to fill in the gaps where our religion fails, he said.
“My beliefs are not perfect and have errors. It is through the understanding and recognition of other religions and their beliefs that I am able to correct these errors,” said Greenberg, who defined pluralism as “absolutism that has come to understand its own limits.”
Greenberg also stressed that all religions are not judged by God’s glorification but by how they reach out to heal the world.
“Both Judaism and Christianity have twin responsibilities and they must work together to repair the universe,” he said.
Greenberg, who cited examples such as the widespread existence of poverty and environmental concerns, asked audience members to thank God by helping to heal the world.
“God’s love exists for all humans, and despite our differences we are all loved by God,” he said.
Faculty and student response to Greenberg’s lecture was positive.
“Nobody embodies the best of Jewish and Christian relations like ‘Yitz’ Greenburg,” said Paul Lakeland, chair of Fairfield’s Catholic studies department who helped sponsor the event.
Chair of Judaic studies Ellen Umansky, who also sponsored the lecture, agreed.
“His remarks were especially challenging and inspirational. I marvel at his hope in looking at the future,” said Umansky.
Students said they found his lecture insightful and hopeful.
“He encourages people to be open to interactions with other religions,” said Robert Scribner ’09.
“He pushes cooperation between different religions,” said Kristen McManus ’09
Mary Sullivan ’09 said Greenberg’s initiative has special connections with Fairfield’s Jesuit ideals.
“As a Jesuit institution, we are taught to be accepting of all people, and this lecture drove home that point,” she said.
According to Umansky and Lakeland, more Jewish-Christian engagement lectures will be held in the future.
“Our idea was to hold a talk that would emphasize historical, theological, liturgical, and other encounters between Jews and Christians over the last 2,000 years,” Umansky said. “Next year we plan on inviting a Christian scholar to deliver the lecture, for which I will serve as a respondent.”
Leave a Reply