Jewish people are those who practice the religion of Judaism and originate from the ancient land that is now Israel. Catholics are followers of the Roman Catholic Church, which is a denomination of Christianity. Despite some similarities, there are several differences between the two religions.
Key Takeaways
- Christianity, which includes Catholicism, was founded by Jesus, while Judaism was founded by Abraham.
- Catholicism is around 2000 years old, while Judaism is older with roots going back 3500 years.
- Catholics believe in the doctrine of the Trinity and worship Jesus, while Jews believe in the unity of God and consider Jesus a false prophet.
Catholics make up more than half of the world’s Christians with over 2 billion followers, and their religion has greatly influenced Western countries over the last 2000 years. Jewish people are mainly concentrated in Israel, the United States, and Canada, and their religion dates back to the second millennium BC.
The Hebrew Bible is the sacred text of Judaism, and it outlines the promise God made to Abraham to make his offspring a great nation. Jews believe they have been chosen by God to be shining examples of holiness and ethical behavior on Earth.
Throughout history, the relationship between Jewish people and Catholics has often been strained, with both sides persecuting each other at various times. The worst example of this was the Holocaust during World War II, during which millions of Jews were killed by Christians. However, in recent times there has been a better understanding between the two religions.
Catholic worship takes place in churches and is led by priests and bishops, with the Pope as the ultimate authority. Jewish worship takes place in synagogues and is led by rabbis. The Star of David is the major symbol of Judaism, while the Holy Cross is the major symbol of Catholicism.
