Alright, it's time for my @threadapalooza - 100 tweets (if I can limit myself) on:
Judaism Is Not Christianity
2. When I was in Yeshiva, a certain Rabbi once explained the process of studying Chassidus as follows:
"The beginner thinks everything is different. Then he learns more, and thinks everything is the same. Then, he learns more, and finally realizes everything is different."
3. In my opinion, this process is broadly applicable. When we first enter any field, because we understand nothing, there seems to be an infinite variety of ideas. Then we learn, and each level of understanding reduces things to fewer and fewer central principles.
4. The Sophomoric student thinks not that everything is different, but that everything is the same. Only when we move on to actual understanding do we realize there is infinite or near-infinite variety and differences are real, despite or because of shared underlying principle.
The same is true when you learn about Judaism and Christianity. Judaism is not Christianity, and all semblances of similarity are mere semblances.
In fact, the illusion cannot hold under any close scrutiny at all. What follows is intended merely as close scrutiny. /5