French Grand Rabbi Gilles Bernheim has suggested that the past forty years of unprecedented Jewish-Catholic dialogue could be undermined if it did not progress to a next level of maturity. Speaking at a gathering in Paris, France, Rabbi Bernheim was bold, brave and wise.
“Many Jews have organized Jewish-Catholic dialogue so it is totally focused on what we Jews think are Christian failures,” he said. “This situation cannot continue much longer.”
Catholic officials were unlikely to want to continue such a one-sided dialogue, he said, and some Jews see the need to define their role in an increasingly pluralist world.
“Jews will not compromise their religious integrity … by saying that Christians can be models for us not despite their Christian faith but because of their Christian faith,” Rabbi Bernnheim said.
Kudos to the Grand Rabbi for reminding us that protectionism and lack of self-critique actually undermine religious integrity, rather than protect it, as is often assumed. And thanks to him for also reminding us that we love others not simply despite their otherness, but because of it.