A response to claims that ending interfaith dialogue creates an artificial divide and threatens Judaism’s survival; Separation from religious debate is a principle, not isolationism; Religious syncretism has always led to confusion, collapse, and persecution
By the Grace of G-d
25th of Nissan, 5725
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr....
New York, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
I am in receipt of your letter of April 2nd.
I wonder if your letter was written before, or after, the news of the Easter homily emanating from Rome reached here, followed by further news in the same vein.
You make reference to “artificial mechitzah,” implying that it would be brought about were inter-faith dialogue to be discouraged by Jews. But, as I indicated in my letter, our denial of inter-religious dialogue is not a matter of creating an “artificial” mechitzah, but one of the fundamental precepts of authentic Judaism. For Judaism has not made it a doctrine to proselytize. On the contrary, Jewish Law places difficulties in the path of would-be proselytes, and accepts them only most reluctantly. At the same time, however, Jews have never isolated themselves from the rest of the world, and have maintained communication with the outside world in a variety of spheres, other than religious.
You assert that the cutting off of inter-faith dialogue would be fatal to Judaism. I do not know on what basis you, of all people, make such an amazing statement. Certainly historically this has not been true. To be sure, there have been groups, sects and movements who sought to syncretize Judaism with other beliefs, religions or philosophies, beginning with the Calf-worshippers soon after Mattan Torah, and their heirs, the Baal-worshippers, the Sadducees, Karaites, etc. But the fate of all those dissidents was sealed from the start: Either they returned to the fold, or they were completely severed from the Jewish people. Suffice it to mention that Christianity itself began as a dissident Jewish sect, but in time completely cut itself off from the Jewish people, and turned against it with growing animosity, to the extent of introducing the Inquisition, etc. Surely no further elaboration is necessary.
If there could have been any doubt as to the utility or futility of religious dialogue, at any time in the early history of our people, it should certainly be clear now, in the perspective of our long and eventful history, that any benefit for Jews claimed for voluntary inter-faith dialogue is only illusory, while the harm of it is real and devastating.
I take this opportunity to enclose a copy of my recent Pesach message, which has some bearing on the subject matter of this letter. I trust it will be of interest to you.
With blessing
