The Pope’s document “the joy of love” released earlier today made headlines all over the world . Apparently the Pope opened the door slightly for those “living in sin” to receive communion in some cases.
Which got me thinking, from a Jewish perspective, does one need to be free of sin to be in communion with G-d.
Rabbi Twerski shares how his grandfather, the Bobover Rebbe, once visited Baron Rothschild, who proudly showed him a separate house in the backyard that served as his Passover home. It was not used all year round, and never had any chametz brought into it. As a result it was 100% guaranteed chametz free!
The Rebbe told the baron that he was missing the point. Angels are perfect. They have no defects, and do not have to do anything to improve themselves. People are imperfect. We have faults we must eliminate. The point is to recognize that we do have chametz and do our best to rid ourselves of it.
G-d does not expect us to be perfect. To be in “communion” with G-d you don’t need to be free of sin, but rather you need to be trying your best.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Benjy Silverman
John McIntyre wrote...