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Scripture & TraditionIntermediate

Christ was a Jew, so why don't Catholics observe Judaism?

Scripture & Tradition

The short answer

Catholicism is the completion of the Jewish religion. Had Jesus' contemporaries all accepted him as the Messiah, there would have remained one true religion. Because most did not, a split occurred: pre-Christian Judaism was the true religion, while post-Christian Judaism is incomplete because it does not recognize the Messiah it awaits.

The completion of Judaism

Catholicism completes the Jewish religion.

How the split came about

If all the Jews of Jesus' time had accepted him as the Messiah and entered the Church, there would have continued to be one true religion. Because most did not accept Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, a division occurred.

Before and after Christ

Pre-Christian Judaism was the true religion. Post-Christian Judaism is incomplete, because it lacks recognition of the Messiah it anticipates.