Rabbi Howard Morrison

Until today's Parsha, Joseph and his brothers were divided ever since Joseph was a teen, and the brothers sold him to Egypt. Now many years later, in a stirring speech Judah confronts the Egyptian viceroy. Joseph reveals his true identity. Forgiveness is offered on all sides. A family repents and reunites.

This year, Parshat Vayigash is read just two days after Christians have celebrated Christmas. As we know, Christianity was born out of Judaism. I just finished teaching a three part series on how the 18 blessings of the weekday Amidah became nineteen. Soon after Shimon Ha'Pikuli authored the 18 blessings, Rabban Gamliel had Shmuel Ha'Katan add Birkat Ha'Minim, an additional blessing which separated Jewish monotheists from antithetical groups which included believers of the trinity.

For centuries, Jews regarded Christians as idolators worshiping three gods.

For centuries, Christians oppressed and even murdered Jews for not converting.

Only in the last few hundred years did some Jews and Christians get together enough for Jews to regard Christians as monotheists but in a way not acceptable to Judaism.

In the last 60 years, Jewish Christian dialogue has progressed further.

For example, in the early 1960's, the Catholic Church changed its theology on Judaism.  Jews are no longer seen as Christ killers or the suffering servant. Judaism is seen as a legitimate covenant.

Im my personal life, during  my 20 years as a military chaplain, I made sincere friendships working with Christian clergy of diverse denominations.

In the wake of Jew hatred, amongst our best friends have been evangelical Christian Zionists, including our friend, Pastor David Larmour from Oshawa, whom we met a year ago.

At last weekend's Raptors - Celtics game, I sat next to a Baptist family that loves Israel and the Jewish people. We talked so much that I barely noticed the Celtics won the game.

As Jews have been attacked, murdered, and hated in recent times, we must actively take note that Christians are being murdered around the world.

We must actively take note that radical Islamists who hate Jews right now hate Christians as well.

As Joseph and his brothers united, Jews and Christians must unite without compromising each group's beliefs and convictions for a greater good.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Howard Morrison