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Alright. Let's break this down bit by bit, shall we?
1) "COME TO a special online Passover Seder." Sure! That's what I'm doing.
2) "Christians can discover their Jewish roots" No. No they can't. Because rabbinic Judaism, what the vast majority of Jews practice today (1/) https://twitter.com/htchurch/status/1246455491888394240
1) "COME TO a special online Passover Seder." Sure! That's what I'm doing.
2) "Christians can discover their Jewish roots" No. No they can't. Because rabbinic Judaism, what the vast majority of Jews practice today (1/) https://twitter.com/htchurch/status/1246455491888394240
developed *after* the time of Jesus. The passover seder that we practice today is *nothing like* the pre-Christ, pre-rabbinic celebrations of Passover. Judaism and Christianity, as they both currently exist, are more akin to siblings or even cousins than to parent and child (2/)
3) "Jewish people can discover the Passover's fulfillment" You mean Jesus? Oh, so we Jews should sign onto your online seder so you can talk about Jesus with us? You mean you'd like to use our holiday to proselytize? Who will be leading this seder? Jews? I'm guessing no. (3/)
4) "And God's love can melt all our hearts." Ok. So God's love is one thing I won't debate. God loves always. You know what's not love? Ignoring power dynamics in a society riddled with Christian hegemony. I like interfaith seders done right & I've helped lead them... (4/)
but a seder led by a Christian community, in our society, is not an interfaith offering with = love for all traditions. It's the hijacking of a Jewish (less privileged) tradition by a Christian (abundantly privileged) tradition. It's wrong. If you're a Christian who wants... (5/)
to learn about Passover seders, *AN INVENTION OF RABBINIC JUDAISM AFTER THE TIME OF JESUS,* talk to your Jewish friends & see if they have energy to talk with you about seder or even invite you *as an observer.* Or ask google. Don't make assumptions based on matzah and wine. (6/)
If you don't have Jewish friends, you can ask me. But also-- if you're trying to have a seder & you're not friends with any Jews, think about how that looks. Just a little.
5) Finally, a note on the matzah and wine. Matzah like that didn't exist until the 19th century... (7/)
5) Finally, a note on the matzah and wine. Matzah like that didn't exist until the 19th century... (7/)
when the first matzah machines were invented. Before that it was all handmade & looked all kinds of ways. So even if you want to argue that the last supper was a modern seder (which is impossible), that Jesus is the fulfillment of the passover (also impossible since passover (8/)
as it's currently celebrated post-dates Jesus), and that Christian hegemony isn't something to be concerned about at all, get your matzah right!
And NO-- they are not communion wafers!
Y'all. I love our interfaith community. I love learning from my siblings of... (9/)
And NO-- they are not communion wafers!
Y'all. I love our interfaith community. I love learning from my siblings of... (9/)
different traditions. I love attending worship services in other religious communities. There is much to share. But this *is* *not* *the* *way.*
So if you're invited to a seder, and there aren't Jews at it, say no. Please. We can & must do better for our holy collective. (end)
So if you're invited to a seder, and there aren't Jews at it, say no. Please. We can & must do better for our holy collective. (end)
Oops. Not quite done! If you're invited to a Christian seder, and you know a rabbi has taken issue with it, and the response of the sponsoring church is to block the rabbi, maybe DEFINITELY DON'T GO.
