Christianity Tiyul to Ein Kerem

by Tallisen Scott,      11^th grade,        Virginia

This past Thursday we went to the last place someone would expect a group of Jews to go: a Church.  However, once we were introduced to the origins of Christianity, it began to make sense.  Christianity began as a sect of messianic Jews.  Jesus of Nazareth, originally called Yehoshua, was the son of Yosef and Miriam, two Jews.  He was Jewish and eventually became a rabbi with 12 followers, or disciples.  However, his intentions were never to begin an entire new religion.

St. John BaHarim church in Jerusalem's Ein Kerem neighborhood

            Shaul of Tarsis, commonly called Paul now began Christianity as a new sect of Judaism that believed that Jesus was the messiah. He described Christianity as a branch of a tree that was healthier and newer (netzer). This began after the death of Jesus. Despite efforts to gain followers, the new form of Judaism was not gaining traction, so Saul decided to rebrand it as a whole new religion. This new religion became Christianity, a religion that now one third of the world belongs to. 

            Although Christianity came from Judaism, it made some significant changes. Judaism is focused around Halacha, or the observance of Jewish law. The focus in Christianity is on faith, rather than how one’s life is lived. Additionally, Christianity is only a religion, while Judaism is a people and a nationality and ethnicity.

an image of Jesus carrying the cross in the St. John BaHarim church

            In terms of the church we visited in Ein Kerem, there were some clear differences, as well as similarities, to a synagogue. Like a synagogue, the church had rows of seats, as well as something that resembled a bimah.  

            There were also differences in the art. Synagogues and sanctuaries often have art, however Jewish art is typically not of people, but scenes, or even abstract art. The church was full of murals, paintings, and glass, all depicting Jesus Christ.

one of the chapels inside of the St. John BaHarim church in Ein Kerem

            The origins and growth of Christianity are extremely significant to Jewish history. In its early years, Christians and Jews had tense relations. Jews believed that early Christians were practicing avodah zara (idolatry), while Christians believed that Jews were followers of an incorrect religion. Over two thousand years, Christianity has grown, changed and expanded, but it still began as a sect of Judaism.