Atonement in Judaism and In Christianity

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 229, 27 September 1941, Page 6

Atonement in Judaism and In Christianity

IGNORANCE is the mother of 1 prejudice. This is particularly true when we come to deal With Judaism. As a part of the war effort it is necessary that democratic peoples should have a much more intelligent point of view about the Jew than at present they possess. God, were He back in human form to-day, in the person of Jesus Christ, would more than likely go to the synagogue every Sabbath, as He was wont to do when on earth. Men would still be calling Him Rabbi or Teacher. By Ret). C. W. Chandler It is true that He might be found too unorthodox for either, Jew or I Gentile in this enlightened 20th ceni tury, but at least He would go to the synagogue as well as to the church, until Ignorance and Prejudice turned Him out of both, prior to His deportation, or incarceration as a dangerous heretic. The beat possible way to '. prepare for His second advent is to hurry along with the job of understanding one another better than we do. In the cruel persecution of the Jews Nazi-ism stands condemned before the bar of justice, human and Divine. Now. because the Day of Atonement is set down for the 10th of Tishri (October 1). that is, 10 days after the 'Day of Memorial," or New Year's Day (which commenced at sunset last Sunday and terminated at sunset, last Tuesday), it is appropriate that last Saturday's theme should be continued. Basis of All Religions The doctrine of the Atonement forms the basis of all religions. If there is ever to be one universal religion—and it is Israel's devout hope that there will be-t-then this doctrine must form the basis of its all-embracing creed. The increasing prevalency of divorce proceedings speaks of the need for that at-one-ment in the home life of our country. The increase of juvenile crime spoken of by .one of our judges recently, also indicates the need for at-one-ment within the larger family of the community. Lack of at-one-ment with others; alone accounts for our willingness to profit from another person's loss, either by theft or fraud. "You in Me and I in you" are amongst the most familiar words of Jesus, and the Shemang which I quoted last week, 'Hear O Israel, the Ix)rd our God, the Lord is one, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might," both enshrine the idea of at-one-ment with God.

Before ever Avar can be abolished the nations have got to be at one, and the nations cannot be at one with each other until they are at one with God. God must be, and is, that unifying principle. Hence the "pay of Atonement" ordained in Leviticus xvi., 29-34; xxiii., 26-32, is worthy of universal commemoration. What a great gesture of love it would be jf, in these days when Israel is suffering so intensely, some big-hearted and broad-minded Christians could go to the synagogue and join with them in their worship on their Day of Atonement. lam sure they would be welcomed. Among other things they would hear a litany chanted wherein the following petitions occur:— For the sin we hare committed before Thee by usury and Interest: And for the sin ire have committed before Thee by tale-bearing: For all these, O Ood of tortireness, forgive us, pardon us, grant us remission. Universal Religion? With Christendom disunited it will be a long time before anything in the nature of a universal religion can be established, but the longing for such a universal expression is a very live hope among the Jews. "The external character of Israel's religion has changed from age to age in response to his shifting needs and ideas, and there is reason to believe that it will continue to change in the years to come," says Morris Joseph in the book from Which I quoted last week. The creeds of Christendom are far too static. 'When the world is ready for a universal religion the things that divide will have to be subordinated to the things that unite. Even now there is ample reason why there should be a closer bond between Christianity and Judaism. As systems of morality they may be said to be identical, and seeing that that is all many enlightened people think that religion really is, at least from their point of view we are quite a long way, if not all the way, along the road towards mutual agreement. This one thing at least can be said, that there is not a more moral people in the world than the Jews. Their sense of duty in the home and to the State ranks higher than that of any other race or people. Obligations to Stat«

"A common life implies common duties; and, therefore, every man is bound by special obligation to the State, which is the expression of the common life in its organised form," says Rabbi Morris Joseph elsewhere. "Be sure." said the Rabbins, "that thou prayest for the well-being of the government, for it is respect for authority that saves men from swallowing up each other alive." As a local evidence of this loyalty let it be said that over 80 voting men, or about 10 per cent of the entire Jewish community in the Auckland district, are to-day on active service. Because "no sin is too great for God to pardon, and none too small for habit to magnify," a time for repentance is called for. and now is the time, not only for Israel, but for us all to repent. Our own individual sinfulness, multiplied a millionfold. has plunged the world in war. and nothing but repentance on just as large a scale will ever put it right. As a further evidence of the breadth of Judaistic thought, consider this further excerpt from "Judaism as Life and Creed." "To the Gentile the means of redemption are given in his own moral and religious ideas. He needs not Judaism in order to be 'saved. . There is salvation for him outside the Law. For whatever act a man performs, even if it fulfil none of the precepts of the Torah (law), will ensure him eternal life if only he does it in sincerity, influenced by the fear of God."

If, as a result of these articles, which have been wrought out of all too scanty a knowledge of the subject, I have helped towards the development of a better understanding between some Christians and the people who have given us the Bible which we have learned so greatly to treasure, then the effort will have been more than worthwhile. If, on the other hand. I have failed to accomplish this end, then one person at least will have been won for greater love and tolerance towards Israel, and that will be myself. »<w «?a «y Redeemer n«. My Beck in mrnnr's darkest d»T A help and refuge unto Sβ, T, My cups full portion nhen I prey. —Anelen*. Hebrew Poem.