Torah Studies for Christians program falls on common holy days this year

VILLA MARIA, PA.

For Christians and Jews, 2015 is one of those years that Passover, which begins at sundown April 3, and Good Friday, the most solemn day in Christianity, coincide. Both highlight important events in the faiths.

Torah Studies for Christians landed on the calendar at a good time. Presenters are Rabbi Saul Oresky of Congregation Ohev Tzedek in Boardman and the Rev. George Balasko, a retired Catholic priest and co-founder of Jewish/Christian Dialogue with the late Rabbi Samuel Meyer.

About 70 people attended the program Wednesday at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center.

Father Balasko led off the presentation by sharing how the Jewish/Christian Studies began because of a chance encounter with Rabbi Meyer. This year is the 40th for the studies.

Rabbi Oresky said the Torah, or Pentateuch, in Judaism is the first five books of the Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

But the rabbi cautioned that text taken from Hebrew are “not translations but interpretations.” He said the change from one language to another often does not convey the “thought patterns and flavor” of the original.

Father Balasko said it is important to remember that “Jesus is Jewish.”

Read more about the program and the next session in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.